Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT IS BAD LUCK TO COUNT THE CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION BECAUSE YOU
COUNT SOMEONE OUT OF YOUR FAMILY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980
DON'T LET A WOMAN IN YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE SHE WILL BRING
BAD LUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-05-1980
IF A BLACK CAT RUNS ACROSS YOUR PATH, WALK BACKWARDS TO THE POINT IN
WHICH IT CROSSED YOU TO UNCROSS THE BAD LUCK SPELL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 682 682.4 BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"!OU SHOULD NEVER USE THE LAST MATCH IN A BOX, OR YOUR HOUSE
WILL CATCH FIRE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"YOU SHOULD NEVER LIGHT THREE CANDLES OR THREE CIGARETTES
ON ONE MATCH, BECAUSE IT BRINGS BAD LUCK"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS BAD LUCK TO HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
UP AFTER NEW YEAR'S EVE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA WEDDING SUPERSTITION
"YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY THE NAME OF AN OLD BOYFRIEND
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING BAD LUCK
TO THE FIRST YEAR OF YOUR MARRIAGE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
SUPERSTITIONS
THE OPEN END OF A PILLOWCASE HAD TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE. IT WAS BAD
LUCK IF OTHERWISE.
Submitter comment: I WAS VERY INTRIGUED BY THIS SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
GREEK CUSTOM
MOTHER'S WOULD NOT ALLOW THEIR BABY TO SEE ITS IMAGE IN A MIRROR. IF
IT DID, IT WOULD BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS OMEN TO BE UNBELIEVABLE. IT FASCINATED ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
MACEDONIAN GREEK ORTHODOX WEDDING
BEFORE THE WEDDING, THERE IS A GIFT GIVING
CEREMONY AT THE BRIDE'S HOUSE.
THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE SHARES BREAD AND
WINE WITH THE BRIDE BEFORE THE
GIFTS. THE BRIDE PUTS ON HER WEDDING
DRESS AND IS THEN PRESENTED WITH
GIFTS. THE FATHER IS FIRST TO GIVE A
GIFT, FOLLOWED BY HER FEMALE
RELATIVES. THE GIFTS ARE EITHER GIFTS OF
MONEY OR LINGERIE, EXCEPT FOR
THE FATHER'S GIFT.
WHILE THIS IS TAKING PLACE THE GROOM WAITS IN THE CHURCH. HE IS NOT
ALLOWED TO SEE THE BRIDE UNTIL THE CEREMONY. THE GROOM AT THIS TIME
SIGNS A CONTRACT WITNESSED BY TWO MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING PARTY, THE
"NUNCA" OR GODFATHER AND THE BEST MAN.
WHEN THE CEREMONY BEGINS, EACH MALE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING PARTY WAITS
AS HIS PARTNER WALKS DOWN THE AISLE FROM THE REAR OF THE CHURCH. HE
GREETS HER IN THE CENTER OF THE AISLE.
THEY WALK TO THE ALTAR, BOW THEIR
HEADS. THEY THEN DIVIDE AND STAND ON
OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ALTAR, THE
MEN ON THE RIGHT AND THE WOMEN ON THE LEFT AS BEING LOOKED AT BY THE
CONGREGATION. SECOND TO LAST ARE THE NUNCAS
OR GODPARENTS OF THE BRIDE
AND GROOM. THE NUNCAS MUST BE A MARRIED COUPLE.
LASTLY THE BRIDE WALKS
DOWN THE AISLE WITH HER FATHER, THEY ARE GREETED
BY THE GROOM ABOUT A
QUARTER OF THE WAY UP THE AISLE WHERE THE FATHER GIVES AWAY THE
DAUGHTER. THE FATHER LIFTS THE VEIL
FROM THE FACE OF THE BRIDE , GIVES
HER A KISS, AND THEN SHAKES THE GROOMS HAND AND SITS DOWN. THE BRIDE
AND GROOM THEN WALK UP TO THE ALTAR WHERE THE NUNCAS AND PRIEST WAIT.
NEXT COMES THE ACTUAL CEREMONY. THE NUNCAS
STAND BEHIND THE BRIDE AND
GROOM, CARRYING CANDLES. ONE OF THE COUPLES IN THE WEDDING PARTY
STAND BESIDE THE BRIDE AND GROOM. THE RING CEREMONY IS FIRST. THE
GROOM PUTS ON THE BRIDE'S RING AND THE
BRIDE PUTS ON THE GROOM'S. THE
PRIEST EXCHANGES THE RINGS THREE TIMES,
A SYMBOL OF THE BLESSED TRINITY,
EACH TIME KISSING THE RING. THE GROOM
THEN SLIPS THE BRIDE'S RING ON HER
FINGER AS HE SAYS HIS VOWS. THEN THE
BRIDE DOES THE SAME. NEXT COMES
THE CEREMONY OF THE CROWNS. THE PRIEST
BRINGS OUT THE CROWNS AND MAKES
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THEM. NEXT THE BRIDE KISSES THE GROOM'S
CROWN AND THE GROOM DOES THE SAME TO THE BRIDE'S. THIS IS DONE THREE
TIMES. THE PRIEST THEN TOUCHES THE CROWNS
TO THEIR HEADS. HE THEN SWITCHES
THE CROWNS BACK AND FORTH THREE TIMES.
HE PLACES THE CROWNS ON TOP OF THEIR
HEADS. THE CROWNS ARE SYMBOLS OF BEING KING
AND QUEEN OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
THE CROWNS ARE HELD IN PLACE BY THE COUPLE
WHO STAND BESIDE THE BRIDE AND
GROOM. NOW THE NUNCAS GIVE THE BRIDE AND
GROOM THE CANDLES. THE PRIEST,
NUNCAS, BRIDE AND GROOM, AND COUPLE FROM
THE WEDDING PARTY WALK AROUND
THE ALTAR THREE TIMES. THEY ARE NOW MAN
AND WIFE. THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH
HOLDING THE CANDLES, WITH THE WEDDING PARTY
AND FORM A RECEPTION LINE IN
THE VESTIBULE. THE MALE MEMBERS OF
THE BRIDE'S RELATIVES NOW GIVE HER
GIFTS OF MONEY. NEXT IS THE RECEPTION.
AT THE RECEPTION THERE IS EATING
AND DRINKING FOLLOWED BY A TRADITIONAL DANCE.
THE DANCE IS AS FOLLOWS:
A LINE IS FORMED BY EACH PERSON PUTTING HIS
OR HER HAND ON THE OTHER
PERSON'S SHOULDER, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED.
THE FIRST PERSON IS CARRYING ALOAF
OF BREAD. IT LOOKS LIKE A CAKE. THE DANCE
IS DONE BY STEPPING RIGHT WITH THE RIGHT FOOT. NEXT CROSS THE LEFT
FOOT BEHIND THE RIGHT. NOW STEP
TO THE RIGHT AGAIN WITH THE RIGHT FOOT.
NEXT KICK YOUR LEFT LEG OUT IN
FRONT OF YOUR RIGHT THEN RETURN IT TO THE
POSITION IT WAS AT. NOW CROSS
YOUR RIGHT FOOT OVER YOUR LEFT THEN STEP
TO YOUR LEFT WITH YOUR LEFT FOOT.
NOW KICK YOUR RIGHT LEG OVER YOUR LEFT
AND RETURN IT TO ITS POSITION.
REPEAT THESE STEPS. TO GET THE FIRST POSITION
IN LINE YOU MUST WALK UP
AND PUT MONEY ON THE BREAD THEN TAKE IT
FROM THE PERSON. BE SURE NOT
TO DROP IT OR YOU WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE COUPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
IF PEARLS ARE NOT YOUR BIRTHSTONE DO NOT BUY THEM. PEARLS MEAN TEARS
AND THEY WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I NEVER KNEW PEARLS MEAN TEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
IF YOU MARRY IN GREEN DRESS, IT MEANS BAD LUCK IN YOUR MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment: IN THIS SAYING GREEN CONNOTES BAD LUCK,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
CUTTING THROUGH THE MIDDLE
WHEN TWO PEOPLE ARE WALKING DOWN THE STREET, NEVER
PASS THEM BY CUTTING THROUGH THEM. IF BY ACCIDENT, YOU
DO CUT THROUGH THEM, YOU SHOULD REPEAT "BREAD & BUTTER,"
THREE TIMES, TO ERASE THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
BAD LUCK
IF HE BOUGHT A PUMPKIN FARM, THEY'D CALL OFF
HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Formula |
BAD LUCK
IF IT WAS RAINING SOUP, HE'D HAVE A FORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001969 SUMMER
CUSTOM-DIVERSION
GIVE A PENNY WITH ANY GIFT THAT IS SHARP OR YOU
WILL CUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Where learned: INDIANA ; Hudson Lake
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
WALKING PRACTICE
IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT, WHEN HE
WAS A CHILD, TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE BLOCKS OF
SIDEWALK WITH THE LETTERS D.P.W. ON THEM. THEY
COULD STEP ON THE BLOCKS WITH A DATE ON THEM, BUT
NOT WITH D.P.W. HE RELATED THAT THEY COULD NOT
STEP ON A CRACK EITHER.
Data entry tech comment: D.P.W.=DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-15-1967
DON'T TRANSACT ANY TYPE OF BUSINESS ON FRIDAY OR MAKE
ANY KIND OF VISIT, OTHERWISE, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MUGGLETON LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM HER ENGLISH-
BORN HUSBAND AND STILL PRACTICES IT.
Where learned: TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-02-1963
IF YOU GET SLAPPED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GETTING
IN TROUBLE, YOU'LL PROBABLY BE IN TROUBLE EVERY DAY
DAY OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN FAMILY AS A CHILD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
IF A BOY IS THE FIRST TO ENTER YOUR HOME ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG. IF A
GIRL ENTERS FIRST, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. SULLIVAN HEARD THIS IN COUNTY CLAIR, IRELAND
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-29-1963