Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P881 returned 459 results.
IF A GLASS OR PLATE BREAKS ON THE TABLE THEN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001965
GOOD FRIDAY CUSTOM
ON GOOD FRIDAY, AS PART OF THE CHURCH SERVICES, A TOMB
OF CHRIST IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE ALTER, CALLED
THE "EPITAPHIO."
Submitter comment:
THE TOMB IS ELEVATED ON A STAND. AT THE END OF
THE CHURCH SERVICES, CHILDREN PROCEED TO CRAWL UNDER
THE TOMB. THIS WILL BRING THOSE CHILDREN GOOD LUCK
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
GOOD LUCK IN RESTAURANTS
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A NEW ONE DOLLAR BILL IS PLACED
ON THE WALL OF THE RESTAURANT. IT REMAINS ON THE
WALL UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR, WHEN A NEW ONE DOLLAR
BILL IS PUT UP.
Submitter comment:
BY DOING THIS, THE RESTAURANT WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK
ALL YEAR, AS WELL AS GOOD BUSINESS. GOOD FOOD AND
GOOD SERVICE WILL PREVAIL ALL YEAR ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR, GREEK WOMEN
BAKE A RING OF BREAD CALLED VASILOPITA. THEY PUT
A COIN IN THE BREAD BEFORE IT IS TO BE BAKED.
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, WHEN THE BREAD IS CUT AND DISTRIBUTED,
THE PERSON WHO HAS THE COIN IN HIS PIECE OF BREAD
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.
Submitter comment:
FINDING THE COIN IS TRULY A BELIEF OF GOOD LUCK.
IT HAS BEEN A GOOD LUCK SYMBOL IN THE GREEK HOME
FOR MANY YEARS.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CA00001968
BLESSING HOUSES WITH HOLY WATER
ON EPIPHANY DAY, THE DAY CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED, WATER
BLESSED IN THE CHURCH IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FAITHFUL.
THE WATER IS TAKEN HOME AND IT IS SPRINKLED IN EVERY
ROOM IN THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE WATER THAT IS BLESSED IN THE CHURCH SYMBOLIZES
THE WATER THAT CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED. SPRINKLING IT IN
EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE BRINGS GOOD LUCK TO THOSE
THAT LIVE THERE.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CENTERLINE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001964
GOOD LUCK
ELEPHANTS WITH THEIR TRUNKS RAISED ARE GOOD LUCK. HOWEVER, THEY
ARE NOT IF THEIR TRUNK IS DOWN. THE INFORMANT HAS MANY PIECES OF
ELEPHANT JEWELRY AND ALL HAVE THEIR TRUNKS UP.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS GOOD LUCK CHARM IN THE YEAR 1970.
SHE SEEMED TO FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THIS, BUT OFFERED NO CONSEQUENCES
TO HAVING AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK DOWN AS GOOD LUCK. PERHAPS
IT IS GOOD LUCK SINCE AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK DOWN IS SEEN MORE
OFTEN, MAKING THE OPPOSITE MORE NOVEL AND RARE.
HERE THE POSITION OF THE TRUNK DETERMINES THE DIRECTION OF THE
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
PROVERB
IF A LADYBUG FLIES INTO YOUR HOME, THAT IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK.
IF YOU KILL THE LADYBUG, YOU HAVE CHASED THE GOOD LUCK AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"IF YOU FIND A PENNY IN THE STREET,
YOU SHOULD PUT IT IN YOUR SHOE FOR GOOD LUCK"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA SUPERSTITION
"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND CATCHING A BIRD BROUGHT GOOD LUCK"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK IF A FAMILY CUT DOWN THEIR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"WE'D ALWAYS HAVE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY CHRISTMAS EVE,
BECAUSE IT MEANT GOOD LUCK FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE NEW YEAR."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA WEDDING CUSTOM
"IF A BRIDE CARRIED ORANGE BLOSSOMS IN HER BOUQUET, IT WOULD
BRING GOOD LUCK TO HER MARRIAGE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"IF YOU GIVE SOMEONE A GIFT OF A PURSE OR A WALLET, YOU SHOULD
PUT A COIN IN IT TO BRING THE PERSON GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND IF YOU CAUGHT A BIRD, IT WOULD BRING YOU GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"A CARDINAL SINGING IN THE YARD IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK TO HAVE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY
CHRISTMAS EVE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
"IT BROUGHT THE FAMILY GOOD LUCK TO SERVE PLUM PUDDING WITH
CHRISTMAS DINNER".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
IN OUR FAMILY (AND PROBABLY IN MOST OTHERS I PRESUME) A PENNY IS
PLACED IN A NEW WALLET FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS CUSTOM WHEN I WAS YOUNG. I'M SURE THIS CUSTOM STEMS
FROM THE IDEA THAT EMPTINESS IS NOT A VIRTUE IN THE U.S..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001960S
ONE OF THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON MY TEAM THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK TO
WASH HIS PRACTICE UNIFORM AFTER A WIN. THUS AFTER 5 WINS IN A ROW
HIS UNIFORM BECAME SO DIRTY AND SMELLY WE SORT OF HOPED WE'D LOSE.
Submitter comment:
FOOTBALL TEAMS TEND TO BE VERY SUPERSTITIOUS, THERE ARE MANY ODDITIES
THAT SOME PLAYERS HELD, BUT THIS ONE WAS ONE OF THE STRANGEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
EXAM PRACTICE
THE INFORMANT ALWAYS PUTS HIS NAME ON THE PAPER
LAST OF ALL. HE SAID HE STARTED THIS PRACTICE IN
GRADE SCHOOL, BECAUSE HE FELT THAT IF HE DID RATHER
POORLY ON THE EXAM, HE COULD ALWAYS CLAIM THAT IT
WASN'T HIS PAPER. HE HAS CONTINUED THIS PRACTICE
RIGHT THROUGH COLLEGE. HE SAID "IT'S LUCKY!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-15-1967