Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.1 returned 589 results.
IF A MAN IS THE FIRST VISITOR IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE
FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR, THIS IS A SIGN THAT YOU WILL
HAVE A PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Date learned: 11-10-1968
PUTTING NEW SHOES ON A TABLE MEANS THAT DEATH IS
IMMINENT FOR SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: ZX
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
NEVER CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS ONE YEAR OLD
OR HE WILL BE A THIEF.
Submitter comment: COLLECTOR: FROM MY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 10-28-1970
I HEARD THIS STORY FROM TWO WOMEN WHO WERE SITTING DIRECTLY
BEHIND ME ON A BUS ONE EVENING:
SAY, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS HEARD THE BELIEF THAT IF ANYONE
EVER WHISTLED IN THE THEATER ON OPENING NIGHT, THAT THE
PERFORMANCE WOULD BE A FLOP. WELL, WE TOOK BILLY TO THE
THEATER WITH US LAST NIGHT AND HE LET OUT A WHISTLE JUST
AS THE CURTAIN WAS GOING UP AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS REALLY
THE WORST PLAY I EVER SAW. JUST READ THE REVIEWS IN THE
PAPER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN A PERSON SNEEZES, THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS:
ONE, A WISH
TWO, A KISS
THREE, A LETTER
FOUR, SOMETHING BETTER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Marine City
EVE OF NEW YEAR
FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU ARE TO HAVE SOURKRAUT AND SPARE RIBS
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED FROM HER ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HER HOME TOWN.
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF OF HAVING CERTAIN FOODS FOR A
SPECIFIC DAY, IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SAUERKRAUT
Date learned: 00001930S
STARTING THE NEW YEAR
ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LET THE FIRST
DARK PERSON THAT YOU KNOW COME THROUGH THE DOOR FIRST
WHILE HE CARRIES A PIECE OF BLACK CHARCOAL (IF NOT MALE THEN
HAVE A FEMALE DO IT).
SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 00001930S
GOOD LUCK CHARM FOR A NEW HOUSE AND ITS OWNERS
AT A HOME WARMING YOU SHOULD PUT LOOSE CHANGE OVER A DOOR IN THE
HOUSE TO BRING ITS NEW OWNERS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THE CHARM WHILE LIVING OUT EAST AND SAID SHE
AND HER HUSBAND CONTINUE TO DO IT HERE IN MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
LUCK
WHEN STIRRING GO IN ONLY ONE DIRECTION, OR YOUR BATTER WILL BE
SPOILED. AND IF YOU SEE AND KILL A SPIDER, IT IS BAD LUCK. ALSO
IF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS YOUR THRESHOLD AFTER NEW YEAR'S IS A
WOMAN, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
CHURCH PROCESSIONS ALSO COINCIDED WITH THE IDEA OF ONLY GOING IN
ONE DIRECTION, AS IS SEEN IN SOME FAIRY TALES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ARACHNID
Date learned: 02-00-1974
CUSTOM
TO BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR, YOU MUST KISS SOMEONE
EXACTLY ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 10-00-1973
CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, IT IS A TRADITION OF MY FAMILY TO PUT ONE HERRING
FISH ALONG WITH FIVE PENNIES ON EVERY WINDOWSILL OF EVERY WINDOW IN
THE HOUSE. THIS WILL KEEP UNPLEASANT OCCURENCES FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Fifths CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Fish |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
CUSTOM & SUPERSTITION
MOVING INTO A NEW HOUSE YOU SHOULD FIRST BRING BREAD & SUGAR
INTO IT, SO THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FOOD TO EAT & THE HOUSE
WILL NEVER KNOW FROM BITTERS.
Submitter comment:
THE SAYING "NEVER KNOW FROM BITTERS" MEANS THAT THE HOUSE
SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE HAPPINESS IN IT!
HEARD THIS AS A KID. THESE SAYINGS JUST WENT AROUND IN A JEWISH
HOME. I COULD FIND NO ORIGIN FOR THIS SAYING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1974
SUPERSTITION
ANCIEMT GERMANS WERE LOATHE TO EMBARK ON ANY NEW ENTERPRISE WHEN
THE MOON WAS INVISIBLE
Submitter comment: THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME BY RABBI HALPERN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
SMALL CHANGE FOR GOOD LUCK.
AN OLD MALTESE CUSTOM SAYS, PUT SMALL CHANGE ON THE WINDOW SILL
BEFORE THE NEW YEAR COMES. LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL AFTER THE NEW YEAR
SO THAT YOU'LL HAVE FINANCIAL GOOD LUCK THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
EVEN THOUGH THE INFORMANT DIDN'T BELIEVE THE WART
CURE {PREVIOUS ENTRY}, SHE SEEMED TO
BELIEVE THIS ONE, JUST BY THE WAY SHE SAID IT.
SHE GOT THIS ITEM FROM HER MALTESE HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
Date learned: 01-00-1974
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THERE IS A MEAL CALLED WILIA (?) (VEELEA). THIS
IS A MEATLESS MEAL AND IT CANNOT BE STARTED UNTIL THE FIRST STAR
APPEARS. IT MUST ALSO BE FINISHED BEFORE MIDNIGHT MASS. BEFORE THE
MEAL THERE IS A LONG, THIN WAFER CALLED AN OPLATEK (OPWATEK) WHICH
EACH PERSON HAS AND WHICH EACH OTHER PERSON BREAKS A PIECE FROM.
AS THEY DO THIS THEY SHARE CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND EAT THE WAFERS
TOGETHER. THESE WAFERS WERE MADE BY CATHOLIC COMMUNION HOST
COMPANIES AND WERE AVAILABLE FROM RECTORIES AND CONVENTS. THE MEAL
WOULD BE HELD AT THE OLDEST AVAILABLE PARENTS' HOUSE WITH ALL THE
CHILDREN PRESENT. IF SOMEONE MISSED THE MEAL EVERYONE WOULD HOLD
ON TO THEIR WAFERS TILL THE NEXT DAY AND PERFORM THE CEREMONY THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1973
POINTING
YOU SHOULD NEVER POINT AN ACCUSING FINGER AT A PERSON BECAUSE IF
YOU LOOK AT YOUR HAND, THREE OF YOUR FINGERS ARE POINTING AT YOU.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO BREAK CHILDREN OUT OF HABIT OF POINTING AT PEOPLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
BELIEF
IF YOU TAKE A DRINK OF NEW HOLY WATER ON EASTER SUNDAY YOU WILL NOT
GET ANYTHING CAUGHT IN YOUR THROAT THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF THAT SEEMS TO BE HELD MOSTLY BY ELDER CATHOLIC
WOMEN.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; HAZELTON
Date learned: 00001960S
FIRSTS
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER DOES NOT START UNTIL FIRST STAR APPEARS
IN THE SKY.
Submitter comment: MOTHER WOULD ALWAYS REMIND US OF THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
FIRSTS
FIRST IS WORST, LAST IS BEST
Submitter comment:
EXPRESSION USED BY CHILDREN RACING TO GET SOMEWHERE. THIS WAS
LEARNED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1973
WISHING
WHOEVER SEES THE FIRST STREET LIGHT GO ON GETS TO MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-15-1973