Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF A CAT MEOW OUTSIDE OF YOUR WINDOW ALL NIGHT THE FEMALE IN
THE HOUSE IS PREGNANT
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04091984CA
A DOG HOWLING WITH HIS HEAD DOWN INDICATES
DEATH, A DOG HOWLING WITH HIS HEAD UP INDICATES FIRE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
SNEEZING (CHINESE BELIEF)
"THE CHINESE BELIEVE THAT WHEN THEY SNEEZE IT'S AS SIGN THAT
SOMEONE THEY LOVE IS THINKING OF THEM."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT WHENEVER SHE SNEEZED HER MOTHER WAS THINK-
ING OF HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE BURIAL CUSTOM
"YOU SHOULD NOT PUT FLOWERS ON OR GIVE FLOWERS TO A DEAD PERSON
OR YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL HAVE A LOT OF BOY OR GIRL-
FRIENDS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
BELIEF
"IF AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR IS ROCKING, SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO GET REAL UPSET IF SOMEONE MADE THE
CHAIR ROCK DELIBERATELY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ROCKING CHAIR
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001965CA
BELIEF
"IF A BRIDE'S VEIL GETS TORN, IT MEANS THAT THE MARRIAGE WILL BE
A HAPPY ONE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS STORY. HER MOTHER TOLD HER THAT SHE BORROWED A VEIL FOR HER WEDDING. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE VEIL
SHE FELT REAL BAD BECAUSE SHE HAD RIPPED THE VEIL; HOWEVER, THE
LADY SHE BORROWED IT FROM WAS REAL HAPPY BECAUSE IT MEANT THAT SHE
(INFORMANT'S MOTHER) WAS GOING TO HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER SAID THAT SHE KNEW PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY RIPPED
THEIR VEIL ON PURPOSE SO THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001965CA
JOKING GESTURE
IF YOU SQUEEZE A GIRL'S KNEE AND SHE LAUGHS, SHE HAS A
BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER USED TO DO THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE. IT WAS
A TEASING JOKE OF HIS THAT HE USED TO DO TO MY SISTERS,
OUR FRIENDS AND MYSELF.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
IF YOU DROP A FORK WHILE EATING, COMPANY WILL SOON BE
VISITING.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO STEVEN BY HIS MOTHER
WHEN STEVE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-18-1984
SUPERSTITION
IT IS SAID THAT IF A CREEPING BABY LOOKS BETWEEN HIS OR HER
MOTHER'S LEGS WHILE CREEPING MEANS THAT THE MOTHER IS PREGNANT
OR SOON WILL BE.
Where learned: BAHAMAS ; NASSAU
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001960S
SUPERSTITION
IF A GIRL DEVELOPS HAIRY ARMS, SOMEDAY SHE'LL MARRY A
RICH MAN.
Submitter comment:
MY DAD WOULD TELL THIS TO ME EVERY TIME I COMPLAINED
ABOUT HAVING HAIRY ARMS. I CERTAINLY WOULD FEEL BETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
WHEN YOUR LEFT PALM ITCHES, YOU WILL GET SOME MONEY;
BUT IF YOUR RIGHT PALM ITCHES, SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN.
Submitter comment: SHE DID NOT BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF YOU ARE MISERABLE THROUGH ANY CAUSE, IT IS
USUALLY A SIGN THAT YOUR PRESENT TROUBLES WILL
SOON BE OVER WITH.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CYCLICAL HISTORY
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1985
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL,
A LOVED ONE WILL DIE.
Submitter comment: SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 00-00-1985
ONE I LOVE
ONE I LOVE,
TWO, I LOVE.
THREE, I LOVE.
FOUR, I LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART.
FIVE, I CAST AWAY.
SIX, HE LOVES.
SEVEN, SHE LOVES.
EIGHT, THEY BOTH DO LOVE.
NINE, HE COMES.
TEN, HE TARRIES.
ELEVEN, HE COURTS.
TWELVE, HE MARRIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
IF IT RAINS ON THE DAY OF YOUR WEDDING THE BRIDE
WILL CRY HER WHOLE MARRIED LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IF A BABY'S FIRST WORD IS "DADDY" THE NEXT
CHILD WILL BE A BOY, IF THE WORD IS
"MOMMY" THE NEXT CHILD WILL BE A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
CONNIE'S SECOND DAUGHTER'S FIRST WORD
WAS "DADDY", HER AUNTS START TELLING
HER THAT THE NEXT CHILD WILL BE A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
IF A WOMAN HAS A LOW STOMACH DURING
HER PREGNANCY SHE WILL HAVE A BOY,
IF IT IS HIGH SHE WILL HAVE A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
WHILE BEING PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST
CHILD, HER AUNTS START TELLING HER
ABOUT HER STOMACH BEING HIGH AND
THAT SHE WILL HAVE A GIRL (SHE DID).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
IF YOUR EAR IS RINGING, SOMEONE
IS TALKING ABOUT YOU. IF YOUR
EAR IS BURNING THEN THE TALK IS
BAD.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO GREG BY ONE OF HIS
RELATIVES WHEN HE SAID THAT
HIS EAR WAS RINGING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES THEN YOU WILL
BE ANGRY.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO GREG BY HIS MOM AFTER HE
COMPLAINED THAT HIS NOSE WAS ITCHING
AND HE COULD NOT STAND IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF YOUR LEFT PALM ITCHES YOU WILL
BE RECEIVING MONEY; IF YOUR
RIGHT PALM ITCHES YOU WILL BE MAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 00001970S