Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P882 returned 579 results.
IF SOMEONE PLANS A SURPRISE PARTY FOR YOU AND YOU FIND OUT
ABOUT IT, IT WILL BE A BAD DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GRAVE POINTER
IF YOU POINT YOUR FINGER AT A GRAVE THAT'S A SIGN OF BAD
LUCK OR YOUR FINGER WILL ROT OFF.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN MY EARLY ADOLESCENT STAGE IN MY HOME TOWN.
THIS WAS SOMETHING LEARNED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY PLAY MATES.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS CONNECTED WITH GESTURE OF A FINGER
AND AN OBJECT. IT HAS AN AIR OF SYMPATHETIC MAGIC.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PHILADELPHIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA06171966
FRONT DOOR---PLEASE
IF YOU COME IN THE FRONT DOOR THEN YOU MUST LEAVE BY THE FRONT DOOR.
IF NOT THEN YOU WILL CAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE HOUSE
BAD LUCK FOR SURE.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOME. THIS
PRACTICE KEEPS THE HOME SAFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ENTERING LEAVING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001930'S
BIRTH CUSTOM
A WOMAN WHO GAVE BIRTH WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE HER HOUSE UNTIL
SHE WENT TO HER CHURCH AND WAS BLESSED. THERE IS A SUPERSTITION
THAT SAYS THAT IF SHE BREAKS THIS CUSTOM EITHER HER OR THE CHILD
WOULD SUFFER SOME TRAGEDY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CHAIN LETTERS
WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CHAIN LETTER YOU SHOULD THROW IT INTO THE
RIVER (RUNNING WATER) TO KEEP IT GOING IF YOU DO NOT WANT BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA11001973
BAD LUCK
STEPPING ON A BROOM BRINGS BAD LUCK. HOWEVER, SPITTING ON IT RIGHT
AFTER YOU'VE STEPPED ON IT WILL WARD OFF THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001960S
WRONG SIDE OF BED
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR BED. YOUR GUARDIAN
ANGEL SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT AND THE DEVIL ON THE LEFT. IF YOU GET OUT
THE LEFT SIDE, YOU AWAKEN THE DEVIL AND HE LEADS YOU INTO
TROUBLE.THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE FOR THE RIGHT SIDE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE MORE COMMON SAYING THAT "YOU GOT OUT ON THE
WRONG SIDE OF THE BED" WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN A BAD MOOD IN THE MORNING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; WEATHERLY
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00001960S
MEANS OF AVOIDING ILLNESS
THE HAIR FROM A DOG WHICH HAS BITTEN YOU IS AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST
EVIL CONSEQUENCES IF GIVEN BY THE OWNER TO THE PERSON BITTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Bad luck |
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
FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH
ON FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH AND GOOD FRIDAY YOU SHOULD NOT GO
OUTSIDE AFTER 6 O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING OR SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN
TO YOU
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-03-1972
IT IS A SURE SIGN OF TROUBLE IF A PERSON DREAMS OF SILVER MONEY.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about luck BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about objects BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment:
THIS SAYING WAS SAID WHILE WALKING DOWN A SIDEWALK, MOSTLY WHILE
WALKING TO SCHOOL. BACK THEN AND EVEN NOW IT IS CONSIDERED BAD
LUCK TO STEP ON A CRACK IN THE CEMENT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.533 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001960S EARLY
"WHEN YOU CROSS RAILROAD TRACKS, YOU SHOULD PICK UP YOUR FEET AND STEP
OVER THE RAILS, CAUSE IF YOU STEP ON THEM, IT'S BAD LUCK."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-09-1972
THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER A PERSON'S HOUSE ON MONDAY MORNING,
SHOULD BE A MALE OR OTHERWISE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE
WEEK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN TWO PEOPLE WALK DOWN THE STREET AND SPLIT POLES; IT'S BAD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
NEVER THROW OUT THE BACK DOOR WHAT YOU BRING IN THE FRONT, IT
WILL CAUSE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; LUCAS COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
NEVE;R WALK OVER A GRAVE IT WILL GIVE YOU BAD LUCK
Where learned: OHIO ; LUCAS COUNTY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
LUCK
IF A MAN IS THE FIRST PERSON TO KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR ON A MONDAY
MORNING, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL OF THAT WEEK. HOWEVER, IF A
WOMAN KNOCKS, IT WILL BE BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID THIS ACTUALLY
HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER ONCE. INFORMANT WAS NOT SURE OF ACTUAL
CIRCUMSTANCES.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
LUCK
IF YOU SHOULD STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE, TURN AROUND, AND SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO KEEP FROM HAVING BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY
DID THIS HERSELF WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION: LEFT ; STUB
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 10-26-1972
DREAM
TO DREAM OF DOLLARS MEANS GOOD LUCK TO THE DREAMER, BUT TO DREAM
OF CHANGE MEANS BAD LUCK. INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED
THIS DREAM HERSELF.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams Bad luck BELIEF -- Dreams Good luck BELIEF -- Dreams Money BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-25-1972