Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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When all the cows lie down in their
pasture, it will rain soon. My neighbors told
me this on my first trip to the country. We
had a long ride to reach our destination so I
think they might have just told us this so
we would look out the windows and keep ourselves
occupied.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00001980S
DR. SNIDER HEARD THE PHRASE:
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MULE GOING BLIND,
HIT HIM IN THE HEAD WITH A LOADED LINE."
A FEW TIMES WHILE GROWING UP. HE DOESN'T REMEMBER
WHY HE HEARD IT, BUT HE REMEMBERS THINKING IT WAS A SLAVE
CONCEPT ABOUT BEATING PEOPLE INTO SUBMISSION.
Submitter comment:
AFTER TELLING THIS TO ME, DR. SNIDER EXPLAINED
THAT HIS FAMILY NEVER OWNED SLAVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
STATUES AND FIGURINES OF ELEPHANTS WITH THEIR TRUNKS UP
IN THE AIR ARE A GOOD LUCK CHARM. ELEPHANTS WITH THEIR TRUNKS
DOWN ARE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001976CA
Island Cats
The Key island of Islamorada Florida is a breeding
ground for cats. Mainly due to the countless un-neutered cats
roaming around. The cats are attracted to the back doors of
seafood restaurants waiting patiently for hours. At one time
I witnessed over 20 cats meowing and waiting for the remains
of shrimp, smoked fish, and lobster. A feeding frenzy occurs
when scraps are thrown to them. If a cat in particular is
liked the individual would take it to the veterinarian and
have it de-clawed, neutered, and given its shots. Then
collared and registered.
Where learned: Key Islamorada ; FLORIDA
Keyword(s): Check-up, Doctor.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
If you tip a cow when it is asleep the milk from that cow
will become sour.
Submitter comment:
A farmer told our family this story when we stopped to
buy some fresh fruits and vegetables from his farm on our
way to Traverse City.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
Keyword(s): drink, sour.
James Callow Keyword(s): cow tipping
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
In Thailand it is good luck to walk under an elephant.
If a pregnant woman walks under an elephant three times
it means that her delivery will be easy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 08-00-1990
The ancient Egyptians believed that a cat
embodied the spirit of or were actual
goddesses brought back to life.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Tuckerton
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001980S
If by accident you find the back tooth of a horse,
carry it along with you as long as you live and
you will never want money; but it must be by chance
that you found it.
Submitter comment: Irish superstition
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001950S
IN THE PHILIPPINES MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE IT BAD LUCK TO EAT MEAT
WITHIN TWO DAYS OF A LOVED ONE'S DEATH. THIS IS SO IN CASE THE
PERSON HAS BEEN REINCARNATED INTO A PIG OR A COW.
Where learned: PHILIPPINES
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial Food Drink -- Meat Food Drink -- Meat Bred animal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Whenever a black cat crosses in front of my mother, something
tragic will happen. When the cat crosses her path, she tells her
family to be extra careful because something wrong will happen.
Usually when my mom sees a black cat, she'll stay inside all day.
Submitter comment:
My mother is a very superstitious person, especially when it
comes to black cats.
Where learned: USA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001950S
Victoria, my English Setter, becomes human every time I go out
somewhere. She can talk on the phone to her other dog friends,
listen to the radio, and watch the television.
Submitter comment:
Gordie has believed that his dog can come to life ever since
he got her. He has thought that all his pets had human
qualities.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Never cross the path of a black cat or you will be doomed to
seven years bad luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
When my informant was in the Greek Merchant Marines, he traveled
to India. While driving on a road there, a guide that he was with
made him stop the truck. My informant asked why and the guide told
him that cows were sacred and had the right of way.
Submitter comment:
My informant was stunned by the fact that a cow could be
considered sacred but did not question as to why. He just accepted
it.
Where learned: INDIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
There was one rat that was so big that the family had to adopt
him because he could not be killed. They had four cats that all
ran away because the rat would beat them up. Every time they got
a new cat the following morning there would be a big outline of a
cat through the window where the cat had ran out running for his
life.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): housing conditions
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001960S
On Halloween, when the trick-or-treating is over you go and knock
over the cows and let the chickens out of their house. This is done
to the people who did not give out treats.
Submitter comment: This was done by friends in Mississippi during the 1960's.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): cow tipping
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
It is said when a dog howls in the middle of the night, was a
sign of death, a day or two later a person in the neighborhood
would die.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
If a black cat crosses your path, cross your fingers on him
before he gets cross the path, if you don't you'll have bad luck.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
When cream sours and horses sweat at rest, there is a witch
present.
Submitter comment:
Grandpa told us as we sat around the fire, to always taste
the cream before using it and if the plow horses would not work
in the morning because they were full of sweat, it was time to
pray because there was probably a witch or warlock close by.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
If a black cat crosses the road in front of you and it is
crossing to the left, that means something bad is going to
happen. If the cat crosses to the right then that means
something good is going to happen.
Submitter comment:
This was told to me by my mother while we were in the process
of running into the back of a bus on the way to school one
morning. She said the reason why this happened was because of
the black cat we saw crossing to the left.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1965