Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S600 returned 515 results.
IF YOU ARE SWEPT ACROSS THE FEET BY A BROOM, THAT'S
A SIGN THAT YOU WILL GO TO JAIL UNLESS YOU SPIT
ON THE BROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE SIX WHITE BOOMERS
IN AUSTRALIA, CHRISTMAS COMES DURING THE HOT SUMMER (IT'S
USUALLY ABOUT 120 DEGREES IN THE SHADE AND THERE'S NO SHADE IN
AUSTRALIA), SO SANTA CAN'T PULL HIS SLEIGH AROUND BECAUSE THERE'S NO
SNOW. SO HE GET'S A TEAM OF OLD-MAN KANGAROOS AND THEY'RE CALLED THE
SIX WHITE BOOMERS BECAUSE OF THE SOUND THEY MAKE AS THEY'RE PULLING
HIM AROUND. BOOM BOOM BOOM THAT'S WHY THEY CALL THEM THE SIX WHITE
BOOMERS.
Submitter comment: HANDS ARE SLAPPED ON ARMS OF CHAIR TO EMPHASIZE BOOMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus BELIEF -- Mammal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
WHAT A BURN
THIS GESTURE IS MADE BY HOLDING THE HAND OUT STRAIGHT. NOW MOVE THE
PINKIE, RING, AND MIDDLE FINGERS JUST ENOUGH SO THE THUMB CAN TOUCH
THEM. THE INDEX FINGER IS LEFT LOOSE. THE HAND IS NOW VIGOROUSLY
SHAKEN SO THAT THE LIMP INDEX FINGER HITS THE OTHER FINGERS. IF
DONE RIGHT, IT PRODUCES A SNAPPING NOISE. THIS MEANS "WHAT A BURN,"
OR IN OTHER WORDS, "HA HA ON YOU"
Submitter comment: I HAVE ONLY SEEN THIS GESTURE TAKE PLACE IN CALIFORNIA.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001966
GOOD GOING
THE HAND IS MADE INTO A FIST WITH THE THUMB STICKING UP. MOVE THE
THUMB UP AND DOWN. IT MEANS: GOOD GOING, EVERYTHING IS FINE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001974
BIG WHOOP
THE INDEX FINGER IS REVOLVED WHILE HOLDING THE HAND UPRIGHT. IT
MEANS "SO WHAT, DO I CARE?"
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001970
WATERMELON CHEER
THERE IS A NARRATOR. HE STARTS OUT BY SAYING "HERE IS A WATERMELON."
EVERYONE PRETENDS THEY ARE HOLDING A WATERMELON. NARRATOR: "SLICE
IT IN HALF." EVERYONE PRETENDS THEY ARE SLICING IT IN HALF LENGTHWISE
WHILE MAKING A SLICING NOISE. NARRATOR: "EAT IT." EVERYONE PRETENDS
THEY ARE EATING IT, MAKING CHOMPING NOISES. NARRATOR: "SPIT OUT
THE SEEDS." EVERYONE TURNS TO THE SIDE OF THEM AND SPITS OUT THE
SEEDS, MAKING A SPITTING OUT NOISE.
Submitter comment:
I WATCHED THIS CHEER BEING DONE AT A CAMPFIRE. AFTER A SONG WAS SUNG,
EVERYONE WOULD DO A CHEER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GATLINBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD FRUIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 08-00-1974
ROUND OF APPLAUSE
SOMEONE IN THE GROUP YELLS OUT, "A ROUND OF APPLAUSE" AND THE PEOPLE
DO THIS BY CLAPPING THEIR HANDS WHILE MOVING THEIR ARMS IN A BIG
CIRCLE.
Submitter comment:
I WATCHED THIS CHEER BEING DONE AT A CAMPFIRE. AFTER A SONG WAS SUNG,
EVERYONE WOULD DO A CHEER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GATLINBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; METAPHOR INTERPRETED LITERALLY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 08-00-1974
KETCHUP CHEER
SOMEONE IN THE GROUP YELLS OUT, "THE KETCHUP CHEER" AND
THE RIGHT HAND IS CLOSED, LIKE A FIST, AND THE LEFT HAND HITS THE
RIGHT, AS IF HITTING A BOTTLE OF KETCHUP.
Submitter comment:
I WATCHED THIS CHEER BEING DONE AT A CAMPFIRE. AFTER A SONG WAS SUNG,
EVERYONE WOULD DO A CHEER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GATLINBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 08-00-1974
A BIG HAND
SOMEONE IN THE GROUP YELLS OUT, "A BIG HAND" AND
EVERYONE HOLDS UP AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND.
Submitter comment:
I WATCHED THIS CHEER BEING DONE AT A CAMPFIRE. AFTER A SONG WAS SUNG,
EVERYONE WOULD DO A CHEER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GATLINBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; METAPHOR INTERPRETED LITERALLY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 08-00-1974
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
SUPERSTITION
EVERY TIME YOU GO OVER A RAILROAD TRACK YOU MUST LIFT UP YOUR FEET
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BOY FRIEND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ONE OF A LARGE VARIETY OF SAYINGS THAT YOUNGER KIDS HAVE IN
WHICH A CERTAIN ACTION DONE BY A PERSON MAKES THEM EITHER GET OR
LOSE A BOY OR GIRL FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
NARRATIVE SONG
OH DEAR MOTHER, PIN A ROSE ON ME.
THREE OLD MEN ARE AFTER ME.
TWO ARE BLIND AND THE OTHER CAN'T SEE.
OH DEAR MOTHER, PIN A ROSE ON ME.
(THIS IS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF PETER, PETER PUMPKINEATER.)
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND I WERE YOUNGER MY GREAT AUNTS USED
TO THROW BIG PARTIES. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE SONG THAT WE ALWAYS
SANG AT EVERY ONE OF THOSE PARTIES. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO US
THAT DISTINCTIONS WERE MADE BETWEEN THE TWO MEN WHO WERE BLIND AND
THE OTHER ONE THAT COULDN'T SEE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001960S
Entry filtered.
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
SIGN OF CROSS
NEVER GO BACK IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING UNLESS YOU MAKE THE
SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH YOUR FOOT.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
Date learned: CA11001973
NEVER STEP OVER URINE OR A STAR WILL FORM ON YOUR EYELID.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): STY? STAR?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
WATCH YOUR STEP
NEVER STEP OVER A PERSON, ESPECIALLY A BABY BECAUSE YOU WILL STOP
THE PERSON FROM GROWING.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
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
LUCKY CROSSING
IF YOU LIFT YOUR FEET OFF THE FLOOR OF YOUR CAR WHILE CROSSING A
BRIDGE OVER WATER YOU WILL ALWAYS REACH THE OTHER SIDE SAFELY.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A MORE COMMON BELIEF IN THE EARLY 1900S WHEN PEOPLE WERE A
LITTLE MORE WARY ABOUT DRIVING CARS OVER BRIDGES.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; MAGIC
Date learned: 00001960S