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 P881 returned 459 results.
TO SPILL YOUR COFFEE
AS A CHILD, I LEARNED TO DRINK COFFEE WITH MY
ELDERS. IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE IN GREECE, IT IS A SIGN
OF MATURITY. I WAS GIVEN A CUP OF EXPRESSO, WHEN TRYING
TO PLACE IT GENTLY ON MY LAP, I ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED SOME.
I BEGAN TO CRY, FOR I NOW THOUGHT THAT I WOULD NO
LONGER BE ABLE TO DRINK COFFEE WITH MY PARENTS. MY
MOTHER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT TO SPILL COFFEE IS A
SIGN OF GOOD FORTUNE. IT MEANS THAT MONEY WOULD COME MY
WAY. SURE ENOUGH, I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM MY GRANDMOTHER
FOR A JOB THAT I HAD DONE FOR HER. TO THIS DAY I STILL
BELIEVE THIS.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER HAS MANY SUCH STORIES AND BELIEFS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1955 ; 00-00-1974
THE GIRLS AT THE OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA GRADE SCHOOL
WOULD PUT THE INITIALS J, M, AND J ON ALL THE CORNERS
OF THEIR TEST PAPERS FOR GOOD LUCK. J, M, AND J STANDS FOR:
J JESUS
M MARY
J JOSEPH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
WHEN ONE WANTS TO PICK UP A LUCKY PENNY FROM THE GROUND,
ONE MUST MAKE SURE IT'S HEADS UP; IF IT ISN'T, DON'T PICK
IT UP BECAUSE IT'S BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
MONEY CAKE FOR CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY
WHENEVER THERE WAS A BIRTHDAY IN MY HOUSE AMONG MY FAMILY, IT WAS
THE TRADITION TO HAVE A MONEY CAKE BAKED BY YOUR MOTHER. EACH
DEMONINATION OF MONEY WAS WRAPPED IN WAXED PAPER AND MIXED UP IN THE
BATTER AND WHEN THE CAKE IS SERVED THE PERSON WHO GETS THE MONEY IS
CONSIDERED LUCKY AND HAS GOOD LUCK FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
SHE HAD A DREAM THAT HER DEAD MOTHER CAME DOWN
AND TOLD HER TO PLAY A 3 DIGIT NUMBER SO WHEN
SHE WOKE THE NEXT DAY SHE PLAYED THE NUMBER AND
IT CAME OUT STRAIGHT!
Submitter comment:
WHEN YOU DREAM OF DEAD PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY TELL
YOU TO DO BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL BRING
YOU GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: WORK ; MAILROOM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Dreams BELIEF -- Good luck |
IF YOU FIND A PIN AND PICK IT UP IT WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TAUGHT TO HER BY HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001930S CA. ; 11001987 CA.
IF A BRIDE PUTS A SIXPENCE IN HER SHOE, IT WILL BRING HER LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001930S CA. ; 11001987 CA.
PRIOR TO OPENING PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS DAY A YULE LOG IS FIRST
BURNED. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-25-1964
EASTER EGG GAME
ON ORTHODOX EASTER, EVERYONE IN THE FAMILLY DYES HARDBOILED EGGS
DEEP RED. THEN EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY PICKS OUT AN EGG AND
TRIES TO BREAK THE OTHER'S EGG BY HITTING THE TWO END TO END.
THE PERSON WHOSE EGG DOESN'T BREAK ON BOTH ENDS WILL HAVE A
LUCKY YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A RELIGIOUS TRADITION OF THE GREEK OTHODOX
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Date learned: 03-00-1968
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, COOK BLACK-EYED PEAS WITH A PENNY FROM THE
PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE FAMILY WILL HAVE A GOOD YEAR.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; PENSACOLA
GET THE PENNY FROM A SERVING OF BLACK-EYED PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
AND YOU WILL HAVE A LUCKY YEAR.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; PENSACOLA
Date learned: 01-01-1976
IF YOU PUT A DOLLAR BILL OVER THE ENTRANCE OF YOUR HOUSE, IT WILL
BRING MORE MONEY IN YOUR HOUSE.
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
IT IS CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK TO TIE A STRING OF THREAD AROUND A NEW
BORN BABY'S WRIST AND TIE SEVEN KNOTS INTO THE THREAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SEVEN KNOTS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
THURSDAY IS A LUCKY DAY. IT IS THE DAY
YOU GET RICH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-11-1987
TO INCREASE FINANCES, CARRY A VERSE FROM THE BIBLE IMPRINTED ON A
SMALL CARD IN YOUR LEFT POCKET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Magic Book BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-19-1987
HONEY AND LEMON ADDED TO YOUR TEA WILL GIVE YOU A BRIGHT AND
DELIGHTFUL ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AND BRING YOU GOOD FORTUNE.
Submitter comment: SOMETHING HER MOTHER TOLD HER SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
IF YOU FIND A PENNY ON THE GROUND, PUT IT IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR
SHOE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-02-1987
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN WISHES FOR A LITTLE GIRL, SHE WILL HAVE A LITTLE
BOY, IF SHE WISHES FOR A LITTLE BOY, SHE WILL HAVE HER WISH TO HAVE
A LITTLE BOY. THAT'S WHY THERE ARE MORE BOYS IN THE WORLD
THAN GIRLS. YOU ONLY HAVE A LITTLE GIRL BY CHANCE OR LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck |
IF YOU SEE A WHITE SPIDER, TEAR A PIECE OF BROWN PAPER BAG AND
KEEP IT AND IT WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
ALWAYS FAST ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AND THEN EAT BLACKEYED PEAS ONLY ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY AND YOUR ENTIRE YEAR WILL BE FILLED WITH GOOD LUCK.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1987 ; 11-00-1987