Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P423 returned 88 results.
ELF
THE IRISH BELIEVE THAT IF YOU CATCH A LEPRECHAUN, YOU WILL GET
A POT OF GOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
BANSHEE
IRISH: WHENEVER A BANSHEE (DEVIL) APPEARED THIS BECAME AN OMEN OF A
DEATH OF A FRIEND OR RELATIVE. THE BANSHEE IS USUALLY A BEAUTIFUL 6 INCH WOMAN.
James Callow comment: BANSHEES ARE NOT USUALLY EQUALLED WITH DEVILS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.4 BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
AROUND THE FIRST OF DECEMBER, THE SPECIAL WORKERS OF SANTA, THE
BROWNIES, COME OUT IN FULL FORCE. THEY CARRY BIG BOOKS WITH EACH
GIRL'S AND BOY'S NAME IN IT. THEIR JOB IS TO SNEAK AROUND AND MARK
YOUR BEHAVIOR IN THEIR BOOK AND THEN REPORT TO SANTA. IF YOU HAVE
BEEN BAD, SANTA WILL NOT BRING YOU ANYTHING.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IRISH: THE LITTLE PEOPLE OR LEPRECHAUNS-- ACCORDING TO A PERSON
OF IRISH DESCENT, THESE PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE A POT OF
GOLD IF THEY WERE EVER CAUGHT. AT OTHER TIMES, THEY GRANTED THE
CAPTURER 3 MAGIC WISHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SHOES
ONE MUST NOT LEAVE HIS SHOES ON THE FLOOR AT THE END OF ONES BED,
AS THE LEPRACHAUNS WILL COME AND DANCE IN THEM AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION PLACEMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
ROSALKA
THE ROSALKA IN RURAL AREAS OF BULGARIA ARE GOOD AND KINDLY
SPIRIT-FAIRIES WHO LIVE AROUND LAKES AND STREAMS. THEY HELP
SHEPHERDS IN DIFFERENT WAYS INCLUDING FINDING HELPFUL HERBS
TO CURE SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
THE TOOTH-FAIRY RAT
WHEN A LITTLE CHILD LOSES A TOOTH, THE WHITE RAT WILL COME IF HE
PUTS HIS TOOTH UNDER THE PILLOW. IF HES BEEN GOOD, THE WHITE RAT
WILL LEAVE HIM MONEY, OR A FIG, OR AN ORANGE. IF HE HASNT BEEN
GOOD, THE WHITE RAT WILL LEAVE HIM A LUMP OF COAL, OR A ROCK, OR
SOMETHING THAT'S USELESS. SO IF YOU ARE A SMART BAD KID, YOU WON'T
PUT YOUR TOOTH UNDER THE PILLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
GENIES
IN INDIA, THE EASY WAY TO DISTINGUISH GENIES FROM GHOSTS IS TO
LOOK AT THEIR FEET A GENIES FEET ARE BACKWARDS; THAT IS, THEY GO
THE OPPOSITE WAY HIS BODY IS FACING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT ELVES
THEY LIVE IN THE EARTH AND BEFORE CHRISTMAS THEY COME UP AND DESTROY
NATURE AND ANIMALS. WHEN ANYTHING HAPPENS, TORNADOS, ETC., IT IS
BLAMED ON THE ELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.46 |
HAWAIIAN SUPERSTITION
IN A VALLEY ON THE ISLAND OF KAUI, A GROUP OF 'MEENEHIENNES'
ARE SAID TO INHABIT. THEY ARE COMPARABLE TO IRISH LEPRACHAUNS
AND THEY HELP PEOPLE DO THINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 04-08-1971
GOBLIN BELIEF
IN THE SEWERS, UNDER VALENTE'S MENS FORMAL WEAR INC., IN DETROIT,
THERE LIVES 'MAX,' A MALEVOLENT CREATURE OF UNDETERMINANT FORM.
HE IS, THOUGH, KNOWN TO HAVE LONG ARMS AND GRASPING FINGERS WHICH
HE PUTS TO VARIED AND VILE USES. MOST OF THE ACCIDENTS AND
CALAMITIES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO HIM.
Submitter comment:
NO ONE AT VALENTE'S REALLY BELIEVES IN MAX. WE ALL JUST
ACKNOWLEDGE HIS EXISTENCE AS SOMETHING OF A PRIVATE JOKE OR GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
SORES ARE HEALED BY LITTLE MEN WHO WORK AT NIGHT KNITTING THE EDGES
BACK TOGETHER. DON'T PICK THE SCABS BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE TO
WORK OVERTIME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER'S LADYFRIEND WHO VISITS QUITE
OFTEN. ALISON HEARD THIS WHEN SHE WAS JUST A YOUNG CHILD. (1950S)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Abnormal in size BELIEF -- Curer BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
FAIRY BELIEF
IN IRELAND,
THE FAIRIES WERE BAD TOO. THEY WOULD COME BY THE NIGHT AND MILK THE
COWS AND HAVE A PICNIC AND WHEN YOU CHURNED THE MILK YOU WOULD HAVE
NO BUTTER. THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD SHOOT THEM WAS TO PUT A SILVER
COIN IN THE GUN, ALONG WITH THE AMMUNITION. AT TWELVE MIDNIGHT,
THEY COULD TAKE YOU FOR A VERY LONG WALK AND KEEP YOU WALKING UNTIL
THE COCKS WOULD CROW AT 4 A.M. BUT YOU COULD FOOL THEM IF YOU
TURNED YOUR COAT INSIDE OUT AND BLESSED YOURSELF WITH THE SIGN OF
THE CROSS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
FAIRY BELIEF
PALLICKS FARTH WAS A HALF MILE FROM MY HOME, A DRUMBLIN OR
RIDGE OF DIRT 8010 FEET HIGH, SHAPED LIKE A BIG BOWL. EVERY NIGHT
AFTER SUNDOWN THE LEPRECHAUNS WOULD COME AND DANCE UNTIL THE COCKS
WOULD CROW IN THE MORNING AND BY SOME MYSTERIOUS POWER,
THEY WOULD PULL UP A BOWLEN, THAT IS WHAT WE CALL THE GOLDEN ROD.
THEY COULD TURN IT INTO A HORSE AND RIDE OFF UNTIL THE NEXT EVENING.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
BELIEF
IF YOU CATCH A LEPRECHAUN, HE WILL GIVE YOU A POT OF GOLD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
SUPERSTITION
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN IT WAS A POPULAR PRACTICE TO PUT
YOUR TOOTH WHICH HAD FALLEN OUT UNDER YOUR PILLOW. WE BELIEVED
THAT THE FAIRY GODMOTHER TOOK IT AND REPLACE IT, USUALLY WITH
A DIME OR QUARTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TOOTH FAIRY
| Subject headings: | Daily Life BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE
WHENEVER YOU MILK A COW, THE FIRST SQUIRT SHOULD ALWAYS GO ON THE
GROUND FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE. IF YOU DO NOT, EARLY IN THE MORNING THE
LITTLE PEOPLE WILL COME AND MILK THE COW DRY.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
BELIEF ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE
ALWAYS LEAVE SOME FOOD ON YOUR DOOR STEP FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE. THIS
KEEPS YOU FROM THEIR MISCHIEF.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
ELF BELIEF
WHENEVER YOU DIG A HOLE IN THE EVENING PUT CROSS(ED) STICKS ABOVE THE
HOLE AND TIE A STRING TO THEM SO IT HANGS DOWN. AT MIDNIGHT THE
ELVES WILL COME AND USE YOUR HOLE TO CLIMB OUT.
Submitter comment:
DONALD LEE WAS NOT CERTAIN THIS WAS JAMAICAN LORE.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
BELIEF
IN CELTIC COUNTRIES PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOOD LUCK
TO PUT NAILS IN THE CRIB OF A NEWBORN BABY. THIS PROTECTS
THEM FROM THE FAIRIES WHICH ACCORDING TO LEGEND CAME IN THE
NIGHT AND TOOK ALL BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND LEFT UGLY BABIES OR
"CHANGLINGS" IN THEIR PLACE. IF A MOTHER HAD A PARTICULARLY
UGLY CHILD SHE WOULD OFTEN SAY IT WAS A CHANGLING AND NOT HER
REAL CHILD. INCIDENTLY, PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT IRON WAS MAGICAL AND
SO IT IS NOT THE NAILS BUT THE IRON THAT THEY ARE MADE OUT OF
WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING THE GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment: "YOU" IS PROFESSOR FRANK PAULSEN.
Where learned: CLASS DURING WHICH HE SUBSTITUTED FOR YOU
Keyword(s): CHANGELINGS
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN