Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAIR CUTTING BELIEF
HAVING YOUR HAIR CUT ON GOOD FRIDAY WILL BRING GOOD LUCK
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD THIS TO MY
MOTHER IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945. MY MOTHER
THINKS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE BUT
DOESN'T RECALL ANYONE ACTUALLY HAVING THEIR HAIR CUT ON
GOOD FRIDAY IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE GRANDMOTHER, ELIZABETH DORULLA MARTIN IS OF SLOVAKIAN
DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
SUPERSTITIONS AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
A PACKET CONTAINING NAIL PARINGS, A LOCK OF HAIR AND
THREE DROPS OF BODY FLUID, USUALLY BLOOD, PLACED UNDER THE
BOTTOM STEP OF A LOVE OBJECT WILL ENSURE THAT THE LOVED (ONE)
WILL LOVE NO OTHER. MM
A MIXTURE OF ROOSTER BLOOD, CORN WHISKEY, AND A SMALL
AMOUNT OF DRIED BULL DUNG WILL ENSURE POTENNENCE AND MALE
OFFSPRING. CC POTENCY MM
A WOMAN WHO HANDLES ANY ANIMALS DURING HER PREGNANCY
"MARK" HER BABY WITH EITHER ANIMALISTIC FEATURES OR
BEHAVIOR. CC MARKS? MM
IF YOU ALLOW AN ALBINO PERSON TO TOUCH YOU YOU WILL BE
BLINDED OR ONE LEG WILL BECOME SHORTER THAN THE OTHER
BY THE NEXT FULL MOON FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; COLUMBUS
Date learned: 00-00-1918
"O'LEARY'S BAR"
'TWAS A COLD WINTER'S EVENING.
THE GUESTS WERE ALL LEAVING.
O'LEARY WAS CLOSING THE BAR,
WHEN HE TURNED AND HE SAID TO THE LADY IN RED,
"GET OUT! YOU CAN'T STAY HERE NO MORE."
SHE WEPT A SAD TEAR IN HER BUCKET OF BEER
AS SHE THOUGHT OF THE COLD NIGHT AHEAD,
WHEN A GENTLEMAN DAPPER STEPPED OUT OF THE PHONE BOOTH
AND THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT HE SAID:
"YOUR MOTHER NEVER TOLD YOU
THE THINGS A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT THE WAYS OF COLLEGE MEN AND HOW THEY COME AND GO--
MOSTLY GO!!!!!"
NOW AGE HAS TAKEN HER BEAUTY
AND SIN HAS LEFT ITS SAD SCAR.
SO, REMEMBER YOUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS, BOYS,
AND LET HER SLEEP UNDER THE BAR
NEXT TO THE GIN,
WITH HIRAM WALKER,
IN SOUTHERN COMFORT.
AND THERE WAS GRANNY SWINGING ON THE OUTHOUSE DOOR
WITHOUT HER NIGHTIE
AND GRANDPA YELLING, "MORE, MORE, MORE!"
SHE WORE PAJAMAS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN THIS IS SUNG BY MEMBERS OF KAPPA BETA GAMMA SORORITY, THE
PARTS OF THE "LADY IN RED" AND THE "GENTLEMAN DAPPER" ARE
ACTED OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BRAND NAMES OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 09-00-1985
JAMES MILLER AND MYSELF JOINTLY PRODUCE TELEVISION SHOWS.
OUR COMPANY IS NOT REGISTERED ANYWHERE, THEREFORE I THINK IT
IS APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION IN THIS
FOLK FILE. WE ARE THE "WIERD PRODUCERS" (SPELLING INTENTIONAL).
WE HAVE INTRODUCED MANY NEW CHARACTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN
SEEN ON CABLE CHANNELS ALL OVER THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT AREA.
WE HAVE A FEW FOLLOWERS, BUT MOST NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD
NOT PUBLICLY CONFESS TO LIKING OUR PROGRAMS. THUS,
TO PLEASE THE MASSES, WE ALSO USE THE NAME "POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS."
AT LEAST ONE OF US IS DESTINED AS A FAILURE, THEREFORE WE
EACH HAVE RELATED CAREERS TO FALL BACK ON: JAMES IS AN
ASTRONOMER AND I AM AN ARCHEOLOGIST. AS I'M SURE YOU CAN TELL
OUR HUMOR IS A BIT WARPED, BUT THAT IS WHY WE DON'T STAND OUT.
SOME ELITE PEOPLE ENJOY OUR SARCASM, AND THEY PASS IT
AROUND ORALLY. THEREFORE, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IN ONE OF
YOUR COURSES, WITH A TWISTED MIND SIMILAR TO MINE, WOULD
SURELY COLLECT INFORMATION ON US.
Submitter comment:
TAPES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE WIERD PRODUCERS' ARCHIVES.
OUR FIRST NATIONALLY UNKNOWN PROGRAM WAS ENTITLED
"ROCKY ZERO." THE CRITICS LOVED THIS ONE. FROM THAT TIME
ONWARD, OUR PROGRAMS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER. WE KNOW THAT THEY
ARE BETTER BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEM. THUS, THE
CRITICS HAVE RIPPED US APART ON OUR LAST FOUR ATTEMPTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): DRAMA ; Entertainment ; Funny ; Gag ; JOKE ; PANTOMIME ; Personalities ; RADIO ; SARCASM ; Show ; Spoof
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime |
Date learned: 05-00-1984
WHEN A DEAD PERSON IS LAID OUT, IF THE CASKET IS
IN SUCH A WAY SO THAT THE HEAD IF FACING THE DOOR,
THERE WILL SOON BE ANOTHER DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
IF YOU CRY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU'LL CRY THE REST OF THE
DAYS OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
PLACING STRAW UNDER THE DINNER TABLE WILL INSURE THAT
EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WILL GO TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND PRACTICES THIS
CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
WEATHER PROVERB--CHRISTMASTIME
POLISH: JAK NA BOZE NARODZENIE PO WODZIE,
TO NA WILKANOC PO LODZIE.
ENGLISH: IF AT CHRISTMAS YOU'RE GOING OVER WATER,
THEN ON EASTER IT WILL BE OVER ICE.
IF IT'S A WARM WINTER, PLAN ON A COLD SPRING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S (6/23)
ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S, IT IS BELIEVED IN POLAND
THAT A CERTAIN FERN BLOOMS THIS EVENING AND ANYONE
WHO FINDS THE BLOSSOM WOULD BE CLAIRVOYANT AND ETERNALLY
HAPPY. IT IS MOST LIKELY A YOUNG PERSON WITH "HONEST
HANDS" WILL FIND IT.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS PRACTICE FROM HER CHILD-
HOOD DAYS IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
WEATHER PROVERB--CHRISTMASTIME
POLISH: JAK NA BOZE NARODZENIE PO WODZIE,
TO NA WILKANOC PO LODZIE.
ENGLISH: IF AT CHRISTMAS YOU'RE GOING OVER WATER,
THEN ON EASTER IT WILL BE OVER ICE.
IF IT'S A WARM WINTER, PLAN ON A COLD SPRING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
IN THE YEAR 1975 CHINA WILL CONQUER THE WORLD, BECAUSE
ITS PEOPLE WILL BE TOO CRAMMED IN THEIR OWN LAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
A STEP ON A CRACK BREAKS YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD IN NORWALK, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; FERNDALE ; Norwalk
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
IF YOU HANG A PAIR OF SCISSORS ON THE WALL IN SUCH A
WAY THAT THE BLADES ARE APART AND THUS THE SCISSORS
(ARE) OPEN, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Submitter comment:
MRS. NICHOLAS' MOTHER-IN-LAW BELIEVES THIS TO BE
TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Observation |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
IF YOU LOSE A BASEBALL OR ANYTHING OUTDOORS, SPIT
ON YOUR HAND AND THEN SLAP DOWN ON THAT HAND WITH
THE OTHER. YOU WILL FIND THE LOST ARTICLE IN THE
DIRECTION OF THE LARGEST SPLASH OF THE SPITTLE.
Submitter comment: FROM CHILDHOOD PEERS, PORTAGE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PORTAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
A TEACHER I HAD IN GRADE SCHOOL ONCE TOLD US THAT
EVERYTIME A PERSON COUGHS, A NAIL IS PUT IN HIS
COFFIN AND IF THE PERSON COUGHS TOO MUCH, THERE
WILL BE NO ROOM IN HIS COFFIN FOR HIM, BECAUSE THERE
WILL BE TOO MANY NAILS IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-23-1968
A CHILD THAT PERSISTS IN SUCKING HIS THUMB WILL ONE
DAY FIND IT CUT OFF BY A LITTLE MAN THAT OWNS THE
LARGEST PAIR OF SCISSORS EVER SEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): SADISM
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
IF YOU CLEAN OUT YOUR PLATE THE SUN WILL SHINE THE
NEXT DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HE (SIC) PARENTS TOLD HER THIS DURING
HER CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): CLEAN OUT MEANS CLEAN UP.
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Eating BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.28 |
Date learned: 09-24-1970
IF YOU GET LOST, SPIT IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND AND
PUNCH YOUR FIST INTO YOUR PALM. THE DIRECTION THE
SPIT FLIES IS THE DIRECTION YOU SHOULD TRAVEL IN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE REMEMBERS THIS
FROM HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WANT
TO TELL A PERSON AND YOU FORGET WHAT IT IS, IT WAS
A LIE. YOU ONLY REMEMBER TO TELL THAT WHICH IS
THE TRUTH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
IF YOU DROP KITCHEN SILVERWARE, COMPANY IS COMING.
KNIFE MEANS A MAN IS COMING; FORK MEANS A LADY
IS COMING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination |
Date learned: 08-11-1964