Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.1 returned 589 results.
IT'S A TRADITION IN THIS FAMILY THAT THE FIRST BORN SON TAKES
HIS FATHER'S MIDDLE NAME AND HIS MIDDLE NAME IS HIS FATHER'S FIRST
NAME. THESE RESPECTIVE NAMES ARE ALEXANDER AND STEPHEN, SO
THAT ALTERNATE GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME NAMES AND THE IN-BETWEEN
GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME NAMES REVERSED.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
THE FAMILY THAT IS IN THE FIRST CAR OF A FUNERAL
PROCESSION, EXCLUDING THE DECEASED'S FAMILY'S CAR,
WILL SOON HAVE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
ON THE FIRST SIGHT OF SPRING, A CELEBRATION MUST
BE INITIATED BY THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE BOYS
IN THE VILLAGE TO INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
IT WAS BELIEVED THIS WOULD INSURE HEALTHY BIRTHS OF
ALL CHILDREN AND WOULD INCREASE THE BIRTHS OF BOYS.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IT IS NECESSARY TO BOIL A POTATOE ON THE FIRST
DAY OF SCHOOL TO GUARANTEE GOOD LUCK FOR THE
STUDENT FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
WHEN ENTERING A CHURCH YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN,
IT IS ALLOWED TO MAKE ONE WISH.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
SPEECH CUSTOM
TO INSURE GOOD LUCK, THE FIRST THING ONE MUST SAY ON THE MORNING
OF MARCH FIRST IS "WHITE RABBIT".
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 1 BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: CA00001960S
MONEY BELIEF
MY MOTHER ALWAYS GIVES A NEW-BORN BABY SILVER MONEY SO THAT IT
WILL NEVER BE IN NEED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS THE FIRST TIME SHE SEES
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
NEW YEAR'S DAY BELIEF
IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
BEFORE A MAN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THE FIRST PERSON ENTERING
YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S MUST NOT BE A WOMAN OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT I HEARD AS A CHILD. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY BUT
I DO KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO WILL REFUSE A WOMAN ENTRANCE ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNTIL A MAN ENTERS FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 09-00-1982
NEW HOME GOOD LUCK BELIEF
A LOAF OF BREAD AND A BROOM SHOULD BE THE FIRST ITEMS
BROUGHT INTO A NEW HOME FOR GOOD LUCK. THE BROOM MEANS
THAT THE HOUSE WILL ALWAYS BE CLEAN. THE BREAD MEANS THAT
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FOOD IN THE HOUSE. I HEARD THIS FROM
FRANCES MILLER IN 1977.
Submitter comment:
FRANCES MILLER WAS BORN IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI IN
1925. SHE CAME, WITH HER FAMILY, TO DETROIT DURING WORLD
WAR II AND HAS LIVED HERE SINCE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS WAS A
COMMON CUSTOM IN RURAL MISSISSIPPI IN THE 1930'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Custom BELIEF -- Good luck Broom Sweeping BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
WISHES
WHENEVER THE FRENCH VISIT A CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME,
THEY MAKE THREE WISHES WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO KEEP
A SECRET. THEY BELIEVE THE WISHES WILL ONLY COME TRUE
IF THEY ARE KEPT A SECRET.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
UKRAINIAN BLESSING OF FRUIT
THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION ON AUGUST 6 IS CELEBRATED
IN THE BYZANTINE CHURCH WITH THE BLESSING OF FRUIT WHICH IS
AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE PLENTIFUL HARVEST. FOLLOWING
THE MASS, THE PRIEST READS SPECIAL PRAYERS ASKING FOR A
BLESSING ON THOSE WHO PARTAKE OF THE FRUIT. HE THEN SPRINKLES
THE FRUIT WITH HOLY WATER. THE CUSTOM OF BRINGING THE FRUIT
VARIES WITH THE PARISHES. IN SOME PARISHES, THE PARISH BUYS
BUSHELS OF FRUIT AND FOLLOWING THE BLESSING IT IS DISTRIBUTED
TO THE PARISHONERS. IN OTHER PARISHES, EACH FAMILY BRINGS
A BASKET OR DISH OF FRUIT WHICH IS TAKEN HOME FOLLOWING THE
BLESSING.
Submitter comment:
THE BLESSED FRUIT IS THE FIRST FOOD EATEN WHEN THE FAMILY
RETURNS HOME.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Date learned: 00001950S
UKRAINIAN WHEAT DISH-KUTIA
A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER IS THE
KUTIA. THE WHEAT FOR THE KUTIA IS SOAKED OVERNIGHT AND THE
NEXT DAY IT IS BOILED UNTIL SOFT. THE COOK ADDS OTHER
INGREDIENTS WHICH VARY ACCORDING TO THE REGIONS. SOME ADD
ONLY HONEY WHICH HAS BEEN DILUTED INTO A WATERY SYRUP. OTHERS
ADD DILUTED HONEY, POPPY SEED, AND CHOPPED NUTS. BESIDES THE
VARYING INGREDIENTS, THE PLACE IT OCCUPIES IN THE MEAL ALSO
VARIES. IN SOME UKRAINIAN HOMES, THE KUTIA IS THE FIRST FOOD
EATEN BEGINNING IN ORDER FROM THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
TO THE YOUNGEST. USUALLY ONLY A SPOONFUL IS TAKEN FROM THE
BOWL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE. OTHER UKRAINIANS USE THE
KUTIA AT THE END OF THE MEAL AS A DESSERT. IT WOULD HAVE
POPPY SEED AND NUTS WHEN USED AS A DESSERT. OFTEN IT WOULD
BE EATEN WITH HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS SUCH AS HONEY CAKE CALLED
MEDEVNUK OR POPPY SEED ROLL CALLED MAKEVNUK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Date learned: 00001950S
LEBANESE BELIEF
IF A WOMAN'S FIRST-BORN CHILD LOOKS LIKE HER HUSBAND, IT MEANS
THE WIFE LOVES HER HUSBAND MORE THAN HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
MY MOM OBTAINED THIS BELIEF IN FADJUNA, LEBANON AND TOLD IT TO ME
IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
Where learned: LEBANON ; FADJUNA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001950S
IF YOU ARE TALKING TO SOMEONE AND YOU BOTH SAY THE SAME THING AT THE
SAME TIME, YOU MUST TRY TO BE THE ONE TO SAY JINX FIRST. IF YOU
DO NOT SAY JINX FIRST YOU CANNOT SAY ANOTHER THING FOR A CERTAIN
AMOUNT OF TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF THE FIRST VISITOR ON NEW YEARS DAY IS A MAN YOU WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00001950S
FIRST CUSTOMER OF THE DAY MUST PAY CASH.
Submitter comment:
THE MAN TO WHOM THIS PERTAINS OWNED A GROCERY STORE.
ITEM SHOWS CREDIT VS. CASH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth |
Date learned: 09-12-1982
FIRST VISITOR ON FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR MUST BE A MAN. IF THE
VISITOR WERE A WOMAN, SHE BROUGHT BAD LUCK
Submitter comment: ITEM SHOWS SEXISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON
Date learned: 09-19-1982
IF A PERSON DESIRES LONG AND FULL HAIR, HE SHOULD CLIP
HIS HAIR ON THE MONTH'S FIRST NEW MOON.
Submitter comment: THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THE INFORMANT CLIPS HER HAIR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-00-1983
WHEN MOVING INTO A NEW HOUSE, FIRST CARRY IN A BOX OF
SALT, A LOAF OF BREAD, AND A BIBLE TO BLESS THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS A HOUSE BLESSED IN THIS MANNER WILL
BE AN ENJOYABLE PLACE TO LIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-00-1983