Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P438.21 returned 213 results.
MEANS OF CAUSING OR AVOIDING ILLNESS
IF YOU MASTURBATE REGULARLY, YOU WILL GET A SERIOUS CASE OF ACNE, AND
EVENTUALLY YOUR PALMS WILL BECOME VERY HAIRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
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
POINTING
IF YOU POINT AT THE SKY YOU SHOULD BITE YOUR FINGER BECAUSE YOU
ARE POINTING AT GOD.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING WAS TOLD TO STOP CHILDREN FROM POINTING.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
OMEN
WHEN YOU CROSS A RAILROAD TRACK PUT YOUR HAND ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR FRIENDS.
Submitter comment: WHEN ASKED THE MEANING OF THIS SHE HAD NO IDEA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
WEDDINGS
WHEN ONE SEES A WEDDING PARTY, IT IS GOOD LUCK TO LICK ONE'S THUMB
AND POUND ONE'S FIST THREE TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Good luck P881.5 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
AN ITCHING RIGHT HAND PALM IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK WHILE AN ITCHING
LEFT PALM IS A SIGN OF FINANCIAL LOSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SOON SHAKE HANDS WITH A STRANGER.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF HAND ITCHES
ACCORDING TO INFORMANT, IF THE PALM OF THE HAND ITCHES, THEN THAT
PERSON WILL BE COMING INTO MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
IF LOST
IF A PERSON IS LOST AND IS NOT SURE WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE, HE
SHOULD SPIT IN THE PALM OF ONE HAND, AND SLAP THE SPIT WITH THE
FIRST TWO FINGERS OF THE OTHER HAND. THEN MERELY TRAVEL IN THE
DIRECTION THAT THE SPIT FLEW. THIS METHOD WILL PUT THE PERSON IN
THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION LOCATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
IF YOUR PALM ITCHES
ACCORDING TO THIS BELIEF, IF A PERSON'S PALM ITCHES, HE CAN EXPECT
BILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
LEGEND OF BERNARDO CARPIO
THE STORY ABOUT HIM IS HE IS A MAN OF IMMENSE STRENGTH. HE
IS SUPPOSED TO LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THERE
WAS AN EARTHQUAKE, AND ONE PATH WAS GOING CLOSE TO THE
VILLAGE. HE HELD HIS HANDS BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND HELD THE
PATH OPEN UNTIL ALL THE PEOPLE COULD GET OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
THE HOOK
THIS OCCURS ON A DARK AND WINDRY NIGHT. A COUPLE HAD GONE
OUT PARKING NEAR AN INSANE ASYLUM. THEY WERE GETTING
READY TO LEAVE, AND TURNED ON THE RADIO JUST IN TIME TO
HEAR THAT A PERSON HAD ESCAPED FROM THE NEARBY ASYLUM.
HE COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK, INSTEAD OF A HAND. THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE BOY WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND HANGING THERE WAS THE HOOK. THE
COUPLE NEVER PARKED AGAIN.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 12-00-1968
STRING BELIEF
TIE A STRING AROUND YOUR FINGER TO REMEMBER SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-17-1971
SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU ARE IN A CAR, AND GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,
YOU MUST PUT YOUR HAND FLAT AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE CAR, OR
YOU WILL LOSE YOUR SEX APPEAL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 02-02-1971
SUPERSTITION
WHEN GOING BY A CEMETERY, YOU SHOULD PUT YOUR HANDS
ON THE TOP OF THE CAR, OR YOU WILL NEVER MARRY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 03-26-1971
IF YOU RAISE YOUR HANDS TO YOUR PARENTS, WHEN YOU DIE YOUR
HANDS WILL COME OUT OF THE GROUND AND EVERYONE WILL STEP ON
THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; RETRIBUTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
RAILROAD TRACKS
TO KEEP YOUR BOY FRIEND, WHEN DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,
A GIRL MUST LIFT HER LEFT FOOT OFF THE CAR FLOOR AND TOUCH
THE ROOF OF THE CAR WITH HER TWO INDEX FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOLY WATER
WHENEVER YOU DIP YOUR HAND IN HOLY WATER, YOU SHOULD
SHAKE OFF THE EXCESS. EACH DROP OF THIS QUENCHES THE SOUL
OF A PERSON IN PURGATORY, AND THAT PERSON GOES TO HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00001956 CHILDHOOD
PREGNANCY BELIEF
INFORMANT HAS HEARD REPEATEDLY FROM HER PATIENTS, POOR BLACK
WOMEN, THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN MUST NOT RAISE HER HANDS ABOVE HER
HEAD OR SHE WILL STRANGLE HER UNBORN BABY.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS, OF COURSE, NO MEDICAL TRUTH IN THIS, BUT IT IS WIDELY
BELIEVED.
INFORMANT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GHOST IN WHITE
A WOMAN IN WHITE ROAMS THE WOODS OF BELLE ISLE NEAR DOWNTOWN DETROIT WITH A HOOK-HANDED FRIEND.
THIS STORY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Proper Name |