Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P686.3 returned 131 results.
FUNERAL LORE
COUNT THE CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION IS BAD LUCK
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MONROVIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA00001935
BELIEFS
TO COUNT YOUR TEETH IS A SIGN OF YOUR TEETH ROTTEN OUT QUICKER.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MONROVIA
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
BRIDAL SHOWER SUPERSTITION
FOR EVERY RIBBON THAT YOU CUT WITH SCISSORS ON A SHOWER GIFT, YOU
WILL HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: CA0001978
PREDICTING HOW MANY CHILDREN A FUTURE BRIDE WILL HAVE.
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS ON THE PRESENTS, BROKEN
PREDICTS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): Babies ; BELIEF ; Bride ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; GAME ; GIFT ; MARRIAGE ; Newlyweds ; Offspring ; PREDICTION ; Ribbon
Date learned: 04-00-1980
AT A WEDDING SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS THE BRIDE-TO-BE BREAKS
WHILE OPENING HER GIFTS SHOWS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
AT WEDDING SHOWERS, THE RIBBONS AND BOWS ARE COLLECTED FROM THE
GIFTS AND SAVED BY MAKING A SLIT IN A PAPER PLATE AND INSERTING
THEM INTO PLACE. WHEN THE BRIDE-TO-BE OPENS HER GIFTS, SHE SHOULD
NOT BREAK, CUT OR TEAR THE RIBBONS. THE NUMBER SHE BREAKS IS AN
INDICATOR OF THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL CONCEIVE. A
VARIATION IS THE NUMBER OF BOWS BROKEN IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF
YEARS SHE WILL WAIT TO HAVE HER FIRST BABY.
Submitter comment:
THE CUSTOM OF SAVING RIBBONS WAS FIRST HEARD BY THE COLLECTOR IN
1976. IT IS A RITE OF PASSAGE CEREMONY IN WHICH THE BRIDE-TO-BE
CHANGES FROM SINGLE TO MARRIED LIFE. HERE TWO VARIATIONS CAN BE
ILLUSTRATED. EACH IS DIFFERENT ALTHOUGH THE MAIN IDEA IS SIMILAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
Date learned: 06-00-1978 ; 10-00-1976
MNEMONIC DEVICE
AN EASY WAY TO REMEMBER HOW MANY DAYS ARE IN EACH MONTH IS TO
COUNT ON ONE'S KNUCKLES. MONTHS WITH THIRTY ONE DAYS LIE ON THE
TOP OF THE KNUCKLE. MONTHS WITH THIRTY DAYS (29 FOR FEB.) WILL FALL
BETWEEN KNUCKLES. FOR EXAMPLE, JAN. IS ON TOP (HAS 31 DAYS) AND
FEB. IS IN BETWEEN (HAS 29 DAYS) ETC.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THIS TECHNICALLY IS NOT A MNEMONIC DEVICE SINCE NO
SPEAKING IS INVOLVED, IT IS A SIMPLE TASK USED TO HELP ONE REMEMBER.
WHEN THE COLLECTOR TRIED IT, IT WORKED WITHOUT FLAW IF YOU START
AT THE FIRST KNUCKLE WHEN PROCEEDING FROM JULY TO AUGUST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
IT IS BAD LUCK TO COUNT THE CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION BECAUSE YOU
COUNT SOMEONE OUT OF YOUR FAMILY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980
GEORGIA WEDDING SUPERSTITION
"WHEN A BRIDE-TO-BE WAS OPENING HER GIFTS AT THE BRIDAL SHOWER,
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS SHE BROKE MEANT THAT'S HOW MANY CHILDREN
SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ON THEIR BIRTHDAY, PEOPLE GET A SPANKING; ONE
SPANK FOR EACH YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN ALIVE AND THEN
A PINCH TO GROW AN INCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
IF YOU COUNT THE CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION, IT
WILL BRING DEATH.
Submitter comment:
MRS. COLEMAN LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN HER
NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-13-1963
WHEN PEOPLE WERE BURIED FROM HOME, A WREATH WAS PLACED
ON THE FRONT DOOR. IF YOU COUNTED THE MARKS WHERE
THE WREATH WAS HUNG FROM, YOU WOULD EITHER HAVE
BAD LUCK OR THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER DEATH.
Submitter comment: MRS. MUGGLETON LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD.
Where learned: TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-02-1963
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH CUSTOM
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPANY FOR DINNER, YOU MUST PUT SEVEN
SWEETS AND SEVEN SOURS ON THE TABLE. USUALLY, THE
GUESTS WILL COUNT TO SEE IF THEY'RE ALL THERE AND
IF NOT, HE CHIDES, IN A FRIENDLY WAY, THE HOSTESS FOR
FORGETTING.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1920.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-12-1964
BAD LUCK OMEN
WHEN AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, HOWEVER MANY BOWS THE BRIDE-TO-BE BREAKS,
THATHS HOW MANY CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00-00-1947
WEATHER BELIEF
IF THERE IS A RING AROUND THE MOON, IT WILL RAIN WITHIN THE
SAME NUMBER OF DAYS AS THERE ARE STARS WITHIN THE RING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00001970S
JUMP ROPE GAME
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW WENT UP STAIRS TO KISS A FELLOW AND
MADE A MISTAKE AND KISSED A SNAKE HOW MANY DOCTORS DID IT TAKE,
1, 2, 3, .....
Where learned: DETROIT ; NEW CENTER ACADEMY SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
FEAST OF ST. GEORGE-APRIL 23 BYZANTINE RITE
THE USUAL PICTURE OF ST. GEORGE HAS HIM PICTURED ON A
HORSE, WITH A SPEAR IN HIS HAND. HE IS KILLING A DRAGON
WHICH IS SYMBOLIC OF PAGANISM. THE DEW OF THE FEAST DAY
IS CONSIDERED MIRACULOUS AND IF GATHERED BEFORE SUNRISE,
IT SHOULD HEAL ANY DISEASE OF THE EYES. ANOTHER COMMON
EVENT FOR THE DAY IS A PROCESSION AROUND THE FIELD WITH
RELIGIOUS SERVICES. THE PRAYERS ARE PETITIONS FOR A GOOD
HARVEST. ALSO ON THIS DAY, YOUNG GIRLS TRY TO PREDICT THEIR
MARRIAGE DATE. THEY ASK THE CUCKOO HOW LONG BEFORE THEY WILL
MARRY. IF THE CUCKOO STOPS COOING AT THE END OF THE QUESTION
SHE WILL MARRY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. IF IT BEGINS
COOING, THE NUMBER OF TIMES IT SINGS WILL BE THE NUMBER OF
YEARS BEFORE HER MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment:
SOME OF THESE CUSTOMS ARE BEGINNING TO DIMINISH IN THE
UNITED STATES.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 23 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001950S
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS A GIRL BREAKS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER IS THE
NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE AND HER HUSBAND WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF YOU GRADUATE IN A CERTAIN YEAR YOU MUST HAVE YOUR CLASS RING
TURNED THAT NUMBER OF TIMES TO INSURE GOOD LUCK. EX- 1983-83 TURNS
BY 83 PEOPLE.
Submitter comment: THE RING SHOULD BE TURNED CLOCKWISE FROM THE WEARERS POINT OF VIEW.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MILLINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Good luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.) SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY KIDS YOU WILL HAVE
YOU CAN FIND OUT BY COUNTING THE WHITE LINES IN
YOUR FINGER-NAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 04-00-1983