Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P480 returned 32 results.
HAVING WOMEN ON A MILITARY VESSEL IS BAD LUCK FOR
THE SHIP AND MEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-17-1971
A PERSON SHOULD NEVER BE TAKING A BATH OR WASH HIS
HAIR, OR BE IN CONTACT WITH WATER IN ANY WAY DURING
A THUNDER STORM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A COMMON PROHIBITION USED IN THE INFORMANT'S
FAMILY. SHE REMEMBERS HER FATHER BEING VERY STRICT
ABOUT THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 04-24-1965
WATER-WITCHING--TWO HANGERS
IF YOU PUT TWO METAL CLOTHES HANGERS TOGETHER IN THE
SHAPE OF A Y, YOU CAN USE THIS TO FIND WATER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMED THAT HE USED THIS TO FIND WATER
AT HIS COTTAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 04-04-1970
ALWAYS IRON BEFORE GOING TO BED SO YOUR HANDS WILL NOT HAVE
TO TOUCH WATER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THIS
TASK. IF YOUR HANDS TOUCH WATER AFTER IRONING, SOME
UNFORTUNATE OCCURRENCE WILL BEFALL YOU.
Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF WAS PRACTICED BY A MEXICAN GIRL WHO LIVED
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA
James Callow Keyword(s): METAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
TABU
ONE MUST NOT GO INTO THE WATER DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SWIMMING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 04-00-1969
DIVINING ROD HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ADOPTED BY THE MARINES AND
ARMY. THE OBJECTS THEY USE ARE "ANY METAL STRIPS BENT
TOGETHER IN AN "L" SHAPE." IF THE PERSON HAS ANY TALENT,
THE "ROD" WILL MOVE.
THE REASON FOR THIS ADOPTION WAS THAT ONE SOLDIER FOUND
TUNNELS, GUNS, BOOBY TRAPS, ETC. IN VIETNAM BY USING
TWO BENT HANGERS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
A FORKED PEACH TREE SWITCH WILL LOCATE UNDERGROUND WATER.
IN YOUR HAND, HOLD THE FORKED PEACH TREE ABOVE THE GROUND.
WHEN IT BEGINS TO TURN DOWN, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO STOP
IT. WHEN YOU LEAVE THE SPOT WHERE THE WATER IS LOCATED, THE
SWITCH RETURNS TO THE HORIZONTAL POSITION.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): TWIG BRANCH LIMB
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
A FORKED TWIG MADE FROM ANY KIND OF SOFT WOOD WILL HELP
LOCATE A SOURCE OF WATER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-03-1972
DOG DAYS, AT END OF SUMMER, IT TURNS COOL AND YOU CAN TELL THE
WEATHER BY THE NUMBER OF THEM. THE WATER GETS SCUMMY, TOO.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 08-02-1968
THE APEX OF A WISHBONE SHAPED STICK IS MAGNETICALLY PULLED
TOWARD THE GROUND WHEN IT'S ABOVE WATER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 11-19-1977
BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER WHEN SWIMMING, YOU SHOULD
BLESS YOURSELF WITH A SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THE
WATER, TO ENSURE A SAFE SWIM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bless ; BLESSING ; Cross ; CUSTOM ; EXERCISE ; GAME ; LUCK ; SAFETY ; Sport ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; SWIMMING ; WATER
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
MYSTERY SPOT-WATER
AT THIS PARK WATER RUNS UPHILL BECAUSE A GHOST HAUNTS THE WHOLE PARK.
THIS IS AT ST. IGNACE, MICHIGAN, IN THE U.P.
Data entry tech comment:
"U.P." IS MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): UPPER PENINSULA = U.P.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Earth BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 03-08-1970