Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P438.21 returned 213 results.
IF YOU BITE YOUR FINGERNAILS, YOU WON'T GROW TALL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HEIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-08-1973
A LEFT-HANDED PERSON OWES THE DEVIL A DAY'S WORK.
James Callow comment: SEE HAND, NORTH CAROLINA #577
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 09-17-1973
WHITE MARKS UNDER THE FINGERNAILS MEAN THAT YOU HAVE
TOLD A LIE. THE NUMBER OF MARKS TELLS THE NUMBER OF
LIES.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; GADSDEN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 10-01-1973
EACH WHITE SPOT ON YOUR FINGERNAILS INDICATES HOW MANY
BOYFRIENDS YOU HAVE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WEAR A WEDDING RING ON THE LEFT HAND
BEFORE MARRIAGE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
DON'T CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS WITH CLIPPERS OR SCISSORS
(BITE THEM) BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE HIM STEAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IF YOU CUT AN INFANT'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS ONE YEAR OLD,
HE WILL BECOME A THIEF.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-24-1977
IT'S BAD LUCK TO CUT YOUR FINGERNAILS ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.420 |
Date learned: 10-16-1973
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME, THEY
SHOULD LINK LITTLE FINGERS AND MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 08-07-1977
IF YOU CAN MAKE YOUR FOREFINGER AND YOUR LITTLE FINGER OF
ONE HAND TOUCH OVER THE BACK OF THE TWO MIDDLE FINGERS,
YOU CAN MARRY THE ONE YOU WANT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 07-02-1973
IF A GIRL WANTS A CERTAIN YOUNG MAN TO LIKE HER, IF SHE
WILL STIR THE DRINK SHE GIVES HIM WITH HER LITTLE FINGER,
HE WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH HER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 07-03-1973
NAME EACH OF YOUR FOUR FINGERS OF THE HAND FOR A DIFFERENT
PERSON OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. SQUEEZE THEM TIGHTLY WITH YOUR
OTHER HAND. THE ONE THAT HURTS THE MOST WILL BE THE ONE YOU
MARRY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 06-26-1973
SUPERSTITION (PREDICTION)
NEVER CUT YOUR FINGERNAILS OR TOENAILS ON SUNDAY. IF YOU DO,
YOU'LL DIE BEFORE SUNDOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS SUPERSTITION OR BELIEF WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER HUSBAND'S
MOTHER.
Where learned: FARMINGTON ; KENTUCKY
Date learned: 06-10-1972
BELIEF
IF A GIRL'S FINGERS CRACK WHEN THEY ARE PULLED, IT MEANS THAT SHE
HAS A BOY FRIEND. IF HER FINGERS CRACK TWO TIMES, IT MEANS SHE IS
GOING TO LOSE HER BOYFRIEND.
Date learned: 06-10-1970
A KISS AND TOE RHYME
STUMP YOUR TOE,
KISS YOUR THUMB,
SEE YOUR BEAU,
BEFORE THE DAY IS GONE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
I CAN REMEMBER HEARING THIS TALE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
APPARENTLY A YOUNG GIRL RETURNING HOME FROM HOLY COMMUNION
WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE GIRL WAS
KILLED INSTANTLY; HER HAND, HOWEVER, WAS SEVERED FROM HER
BODY AND NEVER FOUND. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE STREET FROM
THAT MOMENT ON HAS MADE A KNOCKING SOUND (SUPPOSEDLY THE
SEVERED HAND KNOCKING ON THE STREET).
Submitter comment:
I CAN VAGUELY REMEMBER TAKING A RIDE TO THE SCENE AND ACTUALLY
HEARING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THE NAME OF THE STREET WAS
STRASSBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GRAVE ROBBERS
GRAVE ROBBERS, AFTER HEARING OF A WOMAN RECENTLY BURIED WITH
AN EXPENSIVE RING ON HER FINGER, BREAK INTO THE GRAVE. HOWEVER,
THEY CAN'T GET THE RING OFF, SO THEY BEGIN TO CUT HER FINGER OFF.
UPON THE FLOW OF BLOOD, SHE REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND ALSO MUCH LATER FROM A FRIEND
WHO IS OF POLISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-09-1967
THE HOOK
THIS LEGEND IS POPULAR AMONG TEENAGERS AND I'D LIKE TO RECITE ONE
VERSION THAT I HAVE HEARD. ONE NIGHT, A TEENAGE COUPLE WENT TO A
LOCAL LOVERS' LANE FOR THE OPOPORTUNITY TO BE ALONE. ON THIS SAME
NIGHT, THE GIRL HAD HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMATE OF A NEARBY
ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND THAT HE WAS A HOMICIDAL MANIAC, AND THAT HE
HAD ONLY ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WAS A HOOK.
THE COUPLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE, LISTENING TO THE RADIO
AND DRINKING BEER. THE GIRL, ALL OF A SUDDEN, HAD A STRANGE
INTUITION THAT THERE WAS DANGER AROUND AND THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE.
NATURALLY, THE BOY REASSURED HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY
ABOUT, BUT SHE PERSISTED AND PERSISTED, UNTIL THE BOY LOST HIS
PATIENCE, PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO FIRST AND LEFT THE LANE.
HE TOOK THE GIRL HOME AND CONTINUOUSLY REMINDED THE GIRL THAT SHE
WAS CRAZY TO THINK THAT THE FIEND WAS ANYWHERE AROUND THE LANE.
WHEN THEY REACHED HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT TO LET HER OUT AND ON THE
REAR DOOR HANDLE THERE WAS A STRANGE OBJECT HANGING THERE--A HOOK.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
TALE
WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN EUCLID, OHIO, THERE WAS A STORY
MAKING THE ROUNDS ABOUT A COUPLE WHO HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE
LOCAL LOVER'S LAND IN METROPOLITAN PARK. IT SEEMS THEY HAD
THE RADIO ON AND HEARD A NEWS REPORT ABOUT A PROWLER WHO HAD
KILLED SEVERAL YOUNG COUPLES THAT HE HAD FOUND IN PARKED CARS.
HE WAS AN ESCAPEE FROM ONE OF THE VETERANS' HOSPITALS. HE WAS
A VETERAN OF WW II OR KOREA, THIS VARIES. ANYWAY, HIS HANDS HAD
BEEN BLOWN OFF WHEN A BOMB THAT HE WAS DEACTIVATING WENT OFF.
HE HAD HOOKS ON HIS WRISTS INSTEAD OF HANDS. HIS MIND HAD
SNAPPED WITH THE SHOCK AND HE WAS CONFINED IN A MENTAL WARD,
UNTIL HE ESCAPED. THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED HER
BOYFRIEND TAKE HER HOME IMMEDIATELY. HE REVVED UP THE MOTOR,
BACKED UP AND TOOK OFF FOR HOME. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR
AT HER HOUSE AND WENT OVER TO OPEN HER DOOR, HE NOTICED SOMETHING
HANGING ON THE BACK BUMPER OF THE CAR. HE TOOK HIS GIRL IN AND
CAME BACK TO INVESTIGATE. WHAT HE HAD SEEN WERE TWO HOOKS LOCKED
ON THE BUMPER, THE TYPE USED AS SUBSTITUTES FOR AMPUTATED HANDS.
HE VAGUELY REMEMBERED A SLIGHT JARRING OF THE CAR AS HE BACKED
UP AND TOOK OFF AT TOP SPEED OUT OF METROPOLITAN PARK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1968