Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P475 returned 568 results.
FOOD BELIEF
CUCUMBERS CONTAIN A MILD POISON THAT CAN MAKE YOU SICK. WHEN
YOU START TO PEEL ONE, AFTER SLICING OFF ONE END, RUB THE TWO
CUT EDGES TOGETHER IN CIRCLES. THIS DRAWS OUT THE POISON.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER WAS RIGHT. THE CUCUMBER DOES TASTE BETTER, AT LEAST.
Where learned: MONTANA ; MISSOULA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Plant |
APPLE DIVINATION
BEFORE EATING AN APPLE, RECITE THE ALPHABET WHILE TWISTING THE
APPLE STEM, ONE TWIST PER LETTER. WHEN THE STEM BREAKS, THE LETTER
PRONOUNCED IS THE INITIAL OF THE FIRST NAME OF THE PERSON YOU
ARE GOING TO MARRY.
Submitter comment: I PERSONALLY FIND THIS RIDICULOUS. YET THE INFORMANT IS ENGAGED--
Where learned: MISSOURI ; BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
IF A BRIDE EATS AN ORANGE ON HER WEDDING DAY, THE NUMBER OF SEEDS
INSIDE WILL BE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MONTANA ; MISSOULA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-17-1971
A CUSTOM IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
ON THE FEAST OF ST. BLAISE, IT WAS A CUSTOM TO BLESS APPLES IN
JANOWIEC, POLAND.
SINCE ST. BLAISE WAS THE SAINT WHO WOULD GUARD THROATS, THESE
APPLES WOULD BE EATEN WHENEVER ONE'S THROAT WAS SORE, TO CURE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 3 BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
THREE BAY LEAVES UNDER YOUR PILLOW ON VALENTINE'S DAY, WILL MAKE
YOU DREAM OF THE ONE YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 11-29-1970
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL (BLESSING OF OLIVE TREES)
ON SAINT MARCO'S FEAST DAY (APRIL 25) AFTER MASS THERE WOULD BE A
PROCESSION, WITH CHILDREN IN FRONT, HOLDING CROSSES AND TOSSING
FLOWERS AND SINGING THE LITANY, TO THE OLIVE TREES. THERE THE
PRIEST WOULD BLESS THE TREES FOR PROTECTION WHILE THE PEOPLE KNELT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THE PRIEST'S BLESSING IS SAID TO BE EFFECTIVE
FOR A SEVEN MILE RADIUS, WHICH INCLUDED HER FATHER'S TREES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 25 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN, THE GIRLS MADE WREATHS FROM GREENS, PUT
A CANDLE IN THE MIDDLE, AND SET THEM AFLOAT. AS THEY FLOATED AWAY,
THE BOYS MADE A WISH WITH THE IDEA THAT THESE WREATHS WOULD MEET
OTHERS.
THIS CEREMONY IS COUPLED TO THE BELIEF THAT THE FERN HAS A
FLOWER WHICH BLOOMS ONLY ONCE A YEAR, ON THE NIGHT OF ST. JOHN'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
HALLOWEEN BELIEF
HALLOWEEN IS COMING WHEN SWITCHES BEGIN TO FALL. A SWITCH IS A
BRANCH WITHOUT LEAVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
LEARNING THE BAD NEWS
AT HALLOWEEN, THROW AN APPLE CORE OVER YOUR SHOULDER; WHEN IT FALLS I
WILL FORM THE INITIAL OF THE ONE YOU'LL MARRY.
Submitter comment: NO LONGER BELIEVED.
Where learned: NO LOCATION INDICATED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CUSTOM
A BRANCH FROM A CHERRY TREE WILL BLOOM, THAT IS, BLOSSOM ON CHRISTMAS
IF IT IS PICKED ON ST. BARBARA'S FEAST DAY, DECEMBER 4, AND
PLACED IN WATER.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
THIS CUSTOM WAS FOLLOWED THROUGH THE GENERATIONS IN HIS FAMILY
ON ST. LUCY'S DAY WHICH FALLS ON DECEMBER 13. WHEN COOKING
ANY MEAL THAT DAY, OR IN EATING ANY MEAL THAT DAY, NOTHING CAN BE
MADE OR EATEN OUT OF FLOWER ( FLOUR ). IF MADE OR EATEN, IT IS A
SIGN THAT YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F121 Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
LIVESTOCK BELIEF
IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, AT THE END OF THE SUMMER, ALL SORTS OF HERBS AND
PLANTS ARE MADE INTO A BOUQUET, TAKEN TO CHURCH TO BE BLESSED AND
DURING THE YEAR, FED TO THE LIVESTOCK TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
PLANTING BELIEF
WHEN YOU WANT TO PLANT A ROSE BUSH FROM ONE OF ITS STEMS, CUT THE
STEM WITH FIVE LEAVES SHOWING; THEN PLANT THE STEM WITH ONLY TWO OF
THE LEAVES ABOVE GROUND AND THE ROSE BUSH WILL TAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBER ; PLANTING CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-04-1972
GOOD LUCK
ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT RED PEPPER IS A GOOD LUCK CHARM
JUST LIKE SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE IN RABBIT'S FEET.
THEY HANG THEM IN THEIR HOMES AND IN CARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-04-1969
POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL
TO GET RID OF BEING POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL
BURY A POTATO IN THE GROUND FOR SEVEN DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-29-1968
VITAMIN BELIEF
IF YOU EAT GREEN VEGETABLES
THEY'LL MAKE YOUR HAIR THICK AND GROW FASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): VEGETABLES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
VITAMIN BELIEF
IF YOU EAT YELLOW VEGETABLES LIKE CARROTS, SQUASH, WAX BEANS, YOUR
EYES WILL BE STRONG AND YOU'LL HAVE GOOD VISION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
BOILING ROOT VEGETABLES
YOU HAVE TO START BOILING ROOT VEGETABLES IN COLD WATER, BECAUSE
THEY ARE USED TO THE COLD OF THE SOIL AND HOT WATER WILL SHOCK THEM,
VEGETABLES WHICH GROW ABOVE GROUND, SUCH AS BEANS, SHOULD BE STARTED
IN WARM WATER BECAUSE THEY ARE USED TO THE WARMTH OF THE SUN, AND
COLD WATER WILL SHOCK THEM. THIS WAS WELL KNOWN BY ALL GOOD POLISH
COOKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
SUPERSTITION
ON MAY DAY MORNING BEFORE THE SUN CAME OUT, THE WOMEN
OF THE HOUSE BROUGHT IN SOME FLOWERING SHRUB, THEN SHE KNEW
SHE WOULD HAVE A VERY LUCKY YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS PRACTICED BY THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
JAPANESE & NUMBER 8
THE NUMBER 8 IS HONORED BY JAPANESE.
JAPAN IS CALLED "EIGHT LARGE ISLANDS." BUDDHIST
DEITIES ARE REPRESENTED ON A LOTUS FLOWER OF
EIGHT PEDALS. THE 88TH BIRTHDAY IS A VERY
GRAND ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Number P686.1.88 SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 11-00-1968