RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for P682.4 returned 192 results.

prev | items
| next

IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HOPE, ONE CROSSES THE INDEX AND
MIDDLE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS. TO GAIN ADDED
EMPHASIS, CROSS THE END TWO FINGERS ALSO.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Communication ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Hope ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 10-02-1967

View just this record

BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER WHEN SWIMMING, YOU SHOULD
BLESS YOURSELF WITH A SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THE
WATER, TO ENSURE A SAFE SWIM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bless ; BLESSING ; Cross ; CUSTOM ; EXERCISE ; GAME ; LUCK ; SAFETY ; Sport ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; SWIMMING ; WATER

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 00001950S LATE

View just this record

WHEN A PERSON IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING IN WHICH HE
OR SHE NEEDS GOOD LUCK, THE PEOPLE WAITING FOR
THEM AND THEY THEMSELVES CROSS THEIR MIDDLE AND
FOREFINGERS FOR LUCK.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS TOLD TO ME IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1955-1963.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

View just this record

CROSSING THE MIDDLE AND FOREFINGERS IS A
SYMBOL FOR GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 11-00-1968

View just this record

CROSSING YOUR FINGERS IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
THE SAME GESTURE CAN ALSO BE USED TO ALLOW A LIE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: FREMONT ; OHIO, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Lie ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

IN ORDER TO RETAIN A CERTAIN STREAK OF LUCK WHICH YOU
PRESENTLY HAVE GOING FOR YOU, ONE SHOULD CROSS HIS
FINGERS, I.E., INDEX FINGER AND THIRD FINGER OVER IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 00001950S

View just this record

CROSSING THE FINGERS IS A SIGN ONE WOULD MAKE IF HE
WISHES TO HAVE GOOD LUCK FALL HIS WAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Belief; Custom; Superstition; Gesture; Crossing; Fingers; Cross; Finger; Luck;

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

WHEN DRIVING PAST A GRAVEYARD, CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND PUT
THEM ON THE CEILING, CROSS YOUR FEET AND LIFT THEM UP.
THIS GIVES YOU A HAPPY DEATH, GOOD LUCK IN LIFE, AND
PREVENTS SPIRITS FROM HAUNTING YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Ceiling ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FEET ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; GRAVEYARD ; Haunt ; LUCK ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 09-00-1969

View just this record

IN GERMANY INSTEAD OF CROSSING FINGERS FOR GOOD LUCK,
THE PEOPLE HOLD THEIR THUMBS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

CLENCHING FIST OVER THE THUMB OF THAT HAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Germany ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Thumbs

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 10-10-1968

View just this record

FOR GOOD LUCK, ONE SHOULD CROSS TWO FINGERS ON ONE HAND
BUT SHOULD HE CROSS FINGERS ON TWO HANDS, IT WILL
RESULT IN BAD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

IF A PERSON CROSSES HIS ARMS OR HANDS IN THE FORM OF A
CROSS WHEN A VAMPIRE COMES, HE WILL DRIVE IT AWAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): Arms ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; Cross ; GESTURE ; Vampire ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

AFTER AN AMBULANCE GOES PAST YOU, MAKE THE SIGN OF
THE CROSS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST BEING THE NEXT
ONE IN THE AMBULANCE.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT TAUGHT AS A SMALL BOY TO DO THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LANSING-REILLY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: 10-06-1970

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.