Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
GEORGIA WEDDING SUPERSTITION
"YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY THE NAME OF AN OLD BOYFRIEND
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING BAD LUCK
TO THE FIRST YEAR OF YOUR MARRIAGE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GREEK BAPTISM
WHEN A GREEK CHILD IS BAPTISED AS AN INFANT, HE IS GIVEN A SAINT'S
NAME. THE GODFATHER HAS A WHITE BLANKET WHICH HE PLACES THE BABY IN.
THE PRIEST ANOINTS THE CHILD'S FOREHEAD, PALMS, AND FEET. HE IS THEN
CLOTHED IN BRAND NEW CLOTHES WHICH SYMBOLIZES HIS STARTING A NEW LIFE
WITH A CROSS PLACED AROUND HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEKS' WAY OF A BAPTISM IS SIMILAR TO THE CATHOLIC ONE, WITH A
SLIGHT VARIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
PADIDDLES
A CAR WITH ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT BURNING, IS CALLED A
"PADIDDLE." IF THE GIRL SEES IT FIRST, SHE MAY HIT
THE BOY. IF THE BOY SEES IT FIRST HE MAY KISS THE
GIRL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FRIENDS ABOUT
1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
IF A BOY IS THE FIRST TO ENTER YOUR HOME ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG. IF A
GIRL ENTERS FIRST, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. SULLIVAN HEARD THIS IN COUNTY CLAIR, IRELAND
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-29-1963
MARY WENT INTO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. HE EXAMINED HER
AND ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE THE MOTHER OF
TWINS. MARY ONLY LAUGHED -- SHE KNEW SHE DID IT ONLY
ONCE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE NEW MOON AND LUCK
WHEN YOU SEE THE NEW MOON FOR THE FIRST TIME EACH MONTH, YOU CLOSE
YOUR EYES AND MAKE A WISH. PEOPLE THINK THAT SUCH A WISH WILL
COME TRUE. BUT IF YOU ARE REALLY LUCKY, THERE SHOULD BE SOMEONE
YOU LIKE VERY MUCH NEAR YOU SO THAT WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR EYES, YOU
WILL FIRST LOOK ON HIS OR HER FACE, THEN YOU WILL BE LUCKY FOR
THE REST OF THE MONTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ASTRONOMY ; FRIENDSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR GOOD LUCK
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM TO PUT SALT IN A HOUSE A FEW DAYS
BEFORE MOVING IN AND THIS WILL BRING THE OCCUPANT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.17 |
Date learned: 01-16-1968
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
PRIEST AND LUCK
JAPANESE BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WILL HAVE BAD LUCK IF THE FIRST
PERSON HE MEETS ON THE STREET IS A BUDDIST (BUDDHIST) PRIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JAPANESE BELIEF
Date learned: 11-00-1968
SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU ENTER A HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME EXIT THROUGH THE SAME
DOOR YOU ENTERED, OTHERWISE YOU HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 03-25-1967
ON NEW YEARHS DAY, THE FIRST PERSON IN YOUR HOUSE SHOULD HAVE DARK
HAIR AND BE CARRYING WINE AND AN ORANGE.
Submitter comment:
THE WINE SIGNIFIES THAT THE HOUSEHOLD WILL BE MERRY AND THAT
EVERYONE IN THAT HOUSEHOLD WILL HAVE A GOOD, HEALTHY YEAR.
THE ORANGE IS FOR PROSPERITY AND FERTILITY AND THE DARK HAIR FOR
GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1948
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
FOR BIRTHDAYS, IT IS AN IRISH CUSTOM TO BAKE A MONEY CAKE FOR
THE PERSON WHOSE BIRTHDAY IT IS.
USUALLY, A DOLLAR IN COINS IS INSERTED IN THE CAKE AND THE
BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL GETS FIRST CHOICE OF THE PIECE THEY WANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00001970S
HAIR BELIEF
IN MEXICO ITS A CUSTOM FOR CHILDREN NOT TO GET THEIR HAIRCUT FOR THE
FIRST YEAR OF THEIR LIFE OR THEY'LL GO BLIND.
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF OF SABINAS MEXICO AND THE INFORMANT PRACTICED IT ON HER CHIL
DREN (THE COLLECTOR INCLUDED). THE INFORMANT DOES'NT BELLIEVE THE
CHILDREN WILL GO BLIND BUT PRACTICES IT BECAUSE IT'S TRADITION.
CHILDREN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1981
PADIDDLE GAME
THE FIRST PERSON TO NOTICE A CAR THAT HAS ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT
WORKING GETS A KISS FROM WHOMEVER HE CHOOSES.
Submitter comment: THIS GAME CAN ONLY BE PLAYED AT NIGHT WHEN CARS HAVE THEIR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): QUICKNESS
Date learned: 00001980S
IF YOU KILL THE FIRST SNAKE YOU SEE IN THE YEAR, THEN
YOU WILL HAVE CONQUERED ALL YOUR ENEMIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00001928CA
IF YOUR DRESS TAIL IS UP, SPIT ON THE BACK OF YOUR HAND AND HIT THE
BACK OF YOUR LEG AND YOU WILL GET A NEW DRESS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
THE FIRST DOLLAR A MAN EARNS SHOULD BE HUNG PROMINENTLY ON A WALL AT
HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S PARENTS WERE BORN IN LEBANON, AND HIS FATHER PLACED A
DOLLAR FROM THE FIRST PAYCHECK HE EARNED IN THE U.S. ABOVE THE FRONT
DOOR OF HIS HOME SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE HIS OWN PLACE OF BUSINESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Date learned: 03-00-1982
WHEN A MEMBER OF THE JEWISH FAITH IS BURIED, A MEMBER OF THEIR
FAMILY MUST SHOVEL THE FIRST SHOVEL OF DIRT ONTO THE CASKET.
IF THEY ARE MARRIED IT MUST BE THE SPOUSE. IF THEY ARE NOT MARRIED
IT MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN BROOKLYN NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN
IN ITALIAN TRADITION, THE GODFATHER IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE
SECOND FATHER, AFTER THE ORIGINAL FATHER. FOR THIS REASON A
PARTY IS HELD ON THE BAPTISM DAY TO WELCOME THE GODFATHER INTO
THE FAMILY. IT IS USALLY HELD AT THE HOME OF THE ORIGINAL PARENTS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1937