Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IN WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK, IF YOU STEP ON A
CRACK, YOU WILL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment: PLAYED AS A CHILD.
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1948
SIGN OF FRIENDSHIP
IF YOU CAN'T SEEM TO GET BY A PERSON WHEN THE
TWO OF YOU CROSS PATHS, YOU LIKE THAT PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
BELIEF
IF FIRE CRACKLES, IT MEANS COMPANY'S COMING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
OMEN
WHEN SOMEONE DROPS A FORK ON THE FLOOR, THIS IS A SIGN
THAT A MAN IS COMING TO DINNER.
Where learned: CLASSMATES IN JUNIOR HIGH
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
SUPERSTITION
DROPPING SILVERWARE IS A SIGN OF SEVERAL THINGS
IF YOU DROP A FORK: IT MEANS A LADY VISITOR
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE: IT MEANS A MAN VISITOR
IF YOU DROP A SPOON: A TERRIBLE DISAPPOINTMENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PLEASANT RIDGE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
PREDICTION DEVINATION
IF YOU PUT YOUR FORK IN THE MILK, A COW WILL GO DRY.
Where learned: JUNIOR HIGH CLASSMATES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
BELIEF
IF YOU DROP A FORK, SOMEONE HUNGRY IS COMING.
Submitter comment: FROM AUNT
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
SUPERSTITION
DROP A TEASPOON YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A GIRL FOR COMPANY.
DROP A TABLESPOON YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A WOMAN FOR COMPANY.
DROP A FORK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A BOY FOR COMPANY.
DROP A KNIFE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A MAN FOR COMPANY.
Submitter comment: HER AUNTS USED TO TELL HER THIS WHILE SHE WAS DRYING THE DISHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-21-1965
DESTINY PREDICTION
IF TWO FORKS ARE ACCIDENTLY PLACED AT ONE PLACE SETTING
AT THE TABLE THE PERSON SITTING AT THE SETTING IS GOING TO MARRY
TWO HUSBANDS (OR TWO WIVES).
Where learned: JUNIOR HIGH CLASSMATES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
VISITORS
IF YOU DROP A FORK, IT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE A LADY FOR COMPANY.
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, A MAN WILL VISIT YOU.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
TOAST BELIEF
IT IS A BAD OMEN IF A GLASS DOESN'T BREAK WHEN YOU THROW
IT ON THE GROUND AFTER A TOAST.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-30-1970
SILVERWARE BELIEF
IF A PIECE OF SILVERWARE IS DROPPED, A VISITOR WILL COME FROM THE
DIRECTION IT POINTS. THE VISITOR'S GENDER MAY BE DETERMINED FROM
THE FOLLOWING LIST:
KNIFE - INANIMATE OBJECT (LETTER OR GIFT)
SPOON- MAN
FORK- FEMININE
Submitter comment: THIS IS A GERMAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORM ROOM ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
SILVERWARE BELIEF
IF A PIECE OF SILVERWARE IS DROPPED, IT MEANS A VISITOR WILL COME
FROM THAT DIRECTION. IF THE PIECE IS A KNIFE, THE VISITOR WILL BE A
MAN; IF A FORK: A WOMAN; IF A SPOON: A CHILD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS.
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
OMEN
IF YOU DROP A FORK IN THE HOUSE, YOU CAN EXPECT COMPANY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
INDICATOR OF AN ARGUMENT
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE ON A FLOOR, YOU WILL HAVE AN ARGUMENT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
INDICATOR OF AN ARGUMENT
IF YOU USE THE SAME UTENSIL FOR EATING OR DRINKING (WITHOUT
WASHING) AS THAT OF A LOVED ONE, THIS WILL LEAD TO AN
ARGUMENT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
WHEN AT THE DINNER TABLE OR WHEN HANDLING
SILVERWARE, IF SOMEONE DROPS A FORK
THEY CAN EXPECT A FEMALE VISITOR THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
PREDICTION SAYING
DROPPING SILVERWARE WILL BRING YOU
COMPANY. A SPOON - A CHILD, A FORK - A WOMAN,
AND A KNIFE - A MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
BELIEF ABOUT DROPPING SILVERWARE
DROP A SPOON - COMPANY IS COMING.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISH COMPANION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PLYMOUTH
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-00-1965
BELIEF ABOUT DROPPING SILVERWARE
DROP A TABLESPOON - AN OLD LADY
IS COMING TO VISIT.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISH FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PLYMOUTH
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-00-1965