Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU LOOK AT A BABY UPSIDE DOWN IT WILL END UP CROSSED EYED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001950S
IF TWO OR MORE PEOPLE COMB YOUR HAIR AT ONE TIME, THE YOUNGEST
WILL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00001950S
IF YOU KNOCK FLOWERS OVER AT A FUNERAL YOU WILL BE THE NEXT TO DIE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001950S
"THIS HAPPENED IN 1959. HORACE TURNER WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE
JUNIOR CHOIR WHEN I ATTENDED CHURCH AND ACCORDING TO HIS WIFE,
GOD WANTED HORACE TO PREACH, BUT HORACE RESISTED. ONE THURSDAY
NIGHT, IT SEEMED AS IF HORACE HEARD THESE WORDS, 'I'M GOING TO
TAKE SOMETHING FROM YOU THAT YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT AND GIVE YOU
SOMETHING GREATER IN RETURN.' ON FRIDAY, WHILE HORACE WAS ON HIS
LUNCH HOUR, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CAPTURE A MOTHER PIGEON AND TAKE
IT HOME TO HIS CHILDREN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE HEARD A
WHOOSHING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING HAD FLOWN AWAY. HE LOOKED
TOWARD THE SKY, SAW NOTHING, AND THE PIGEON WAS STILL IN THE EXACT
SPOT. SHE WAS IN BEFORE HORACE HEARD THE SOUND. THE 'WHOOSH'
CAME AT THE SAME TIME THAT HORACE'S ONLY SON, WHO WAS TEN, DIED
FROM A GUNSHOT. HIS 12-YEAR-OLD FRIEND SHOT HIM (HORACE'S SON)
WITH A 30-30 WINCHESTER. A FEW NIGHTS LATER, HORACE PREACHED HIS
FIRST SERMON AT THE DINNER TABLE WITH HIS FAMILY. HE TOLD ME ONCE
THAT HE DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT SERMONS AND THAT ALL HE DID WAS PICK UP
PAPER AND PEN AND THE WORDS FLOWED AS IF BY MAGIC. HE'S STILL
PREACHING AT THIS TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: CA00001959
IF THERE IS A BUZZING FLY IN THE ROOM, SOMEONE WILL BE
RECEIVING SOME TYPE OF NEWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
UKRAINIAN BELIEF
WHEN A BIRD HITS THE WINDOW, SOMETHING BAD IS
GOING TO HAPPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
DROP A FORK, EXPECT A VISITOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
PRANK
ON THE CENTRAL DIAG WHERE THE WALKWAYS INTERSECT, THERE IS
A LARGE BRONZE (OR SOME METAL) M (FOR U. OF M.) IMBEDDED IN
THE CEMENT. PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN AT MICHIGAN OTHER YEARS KNOW,
BUT THEY TELL THE FRESHMEN THAT IF YOU STEP ON THE M, YOU ARE
DOOMED TO FAIL YOUR FIRST EXAM.
IT'S FUNNY TO WATCH ALL THE FROSH WALK AROUND IT.
Submitter comment:
I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RESULT OF STEPPING ON IT COULD
BE THE FAILURE OF THE FIRST FINAL, OR A FIRST CLASS OR TERM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
RUSSIAN NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTUMS
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS PUT ON
UNUSUAL OR FUNNY COSTUMES AND WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO HAVE FUN. IT IS A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN IN THE UNITED
STATES. ALL THIS IS FORGOTTEN NOW.
ALSO ON THIS EVENING, TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD GO OUTSIDE
BETWEEN TEN AND ELEVEN O'CLOCK. A GIRL WOULD ASK THE FIRST
MAN SHE SEES HIS FIRST NAME AND THIS WOULD BE THE NAME
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
ALSO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SOME TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD PUT
A LARGE MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER MIRROR FACE
TO FACE. THEN THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT AND PUT A CANDLE
ON EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST MIRROR. THEN A GIRL LOOKED
OVER ONE MIRROR AT THE OTHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE
SEES A CORRIDOR. BY CONSTANTLY STARING AND USING THE
IMAGINATION SHE BEGINS TO SEE SOME SHADOWS, THEN A FORM,
AND FINALLY SHE SEES A BOYFRIEND OF HERS. THIS WILL BE
THE ONE SHE WILL MARRY. THE OTHER GIRLS TAKE THEIR
TURNS ALSO.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
PREDICTION DIVINATION BELIEF.
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND IS ITCHING YOU WILL GET SOME MONEY.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; HAYNESVILLE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
IF A FUNERAL GOES BY, HOLD YOUR BUTTON OR
YOU'LL BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
Submitter comment:
"YOUR BUTTON" REFERS TO ANY BUTTON THAT MAY BE ON ONE'S CLOTHING.
AS THE INFORMANT SAID, "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT BUTTON, BUT YOU'D
BETTER JUST HOPE YOU'VE GOT A BUTTON."
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BALDWIN COUNTY ; FOLEY
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
IF A YOUNG GIRL'S FOOD IS SALTY, IT IS SAID THAT SHE IS IN LOVE.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001970S
THE HOWLING OF A DOG OR AN OWL NEAR YOUR HOUSE MEANS THAT A
RELATIVE OF YOURS IS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
IF YOU MAKE A CHILD PASS THROUGH A WINDOW, HE WILL GROW UP TO BE
A THIEF.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
IF A ROOSTER SINGS IN FRONT OF YOUR DOOR THAT MEANS YOU ARE GOING
TO HAVE VISITORS COMING TO THE HOUSE.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
IF A DOG IS HOWLING FACING THE GROUND IT MEANS THAT A HOUSE IS
GOING TO BURN TO THE GROUND.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IF A BLACK BUTTERFLY ENTERS YOUR HOUSE, THIS MEANS THAT A RELATIVE
OF YOURS IS TO DIE. IF THE BUTTERFLY IS OF ANOTHER COLOR, THIS
MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE SOME NEWS VERY SOON.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WHEN A FELLOW IS GOING SOMEWHERE AND HE KNOCKS HIS LEFT LEG
AGAINST A STONE, THAT IS A BAD OMEN. THAT SIMPLY TELLS THE
FELLOW THAT DANGER WILL BEFALL HIM WHERE HE IS GOING. THUS IT
IS ADVISABLE FOR SUCH A PERSON TO GO BACK HOME IF POSSIBLE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID IT WITH ASSURANCE.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KABBA
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF A ROOSTER FLIES IN YOUR WINDOW, AND CROWS AFTER HE
PERCHES ON THE FOOT OF YOUR BED, YOU WILL BE DEAD BY SUNRISE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; SELMA
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01111984CA
IF YOUR DOG HOWLS CONTINUOUSLY AT NIGHT IT IS SAID THAT SOMEONE
IN THAT HOUSE WILL DIE.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |