Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P881 returned 459 results.
If you find a penny and the front is facing
upwards then it will bring you good luck.
If the back is facing upwards then it will
bring you bad luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
The pelvic bone from a turkey must be saved
and put to dry for seven days. When it is dry
two people hold the two ends of the horseshoe
shaped bone and then pull. The one who gets
the middle part (a knob) gets their wish that was
wished before the pulling.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Penns Grove
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001980S
In Thailand it is good luck to walk under an elephant.
If a pregnant woman walks under an elephant three times
it means that her delivery will be easy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 08-00-1990
In Russia, newlyweds place flowers at the nearest statue
of Lenin for good luck throughout their marriage.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Tuckerton
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
In England myrtle is considered lucky. In Wales
myrtle is planted on each side of a home to
insure love & to keep the atmosphere peaceful.
Submitter comment: Many people still consider myrtle a sign of peace.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): nature, beauty
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
A jar of pennies in the kitchen brings good luck.
Submitter comment: Her mom has always had one there.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): COINS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
When it is exactly midnight, on New Year's Eve, someone
has to be outside, and they must go in by the back door
and out through the front door, and round, and in again
by the back.
Submitter comment: Her family has done that as far back as she can remember.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
In the city of Florence, there is a bronze statue of a boar
whose finish has dulled with time except for the nose which
is quite shiny. Custom has it that visitors to the city should
rub the nose of the boar in order to have the good luck to be
able to return to the city, thus the shiny nose.
Where learned: ITALY ; FLORENCE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
When visitors come to Rome they traditionally throw coins into
the Trevi Fountain before they leave so they will have the
luck to return to the city someday.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
IN ORDER TO DO WELL ON A TEST YOU SHOULD EAT PLENTY OF FRUIT
WHILE YOU STUDY AND BEFORE YOU TAKE THE TEST. IT'S BRAIN FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
WHEN WATCHING A SPORTING EVENT ON TELEVISION YOU SHOULD ALWAYS
KEEP THE SCREEN CLEAR OF DUST. THIS WILL ENSURE A VICTORY FOR YOUR
TEAM.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001950S
AN OLD SAYING: TAKE A GUN AND SHOOT IT IN THE AIR. IF NONE OF
THE BULLETS COME DOWN AND KILL YOU, YOU ARE A LUCKY PERSON. IF
ONE DOES KILL YOU, YOU ARE A STUPID PERSON FOR TRYING.
Where learned: SOUTH DAKOTA
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Good luck PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
FOR GOOD LUCK: IF YOU FALL DOWN YOU SHOULD KISS THE GROUND
WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN. IF YOU EVER WALK OVER THE SPOT AGAIN, YOU
WILL BE GRANTED A WISH OR GIVEN GREAT LUCK IN THE FUTURE.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Date learned: UNKNOWN
IN THE ORIENT GIVING SOMEONE THE "MIDDLE FINGER" IS A SIGN OF
LUCK AND IS WELL APPRECIATED.
Where learned: ORIENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
superstition
The number 13 is lucky in whatever Eric does. Friday the 13th
days are always good days whereas Saturday the 14th everything
goes wrong.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Number P686.1.14 BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
On New Year's Day, I make a big pot of split pea soup and that
brings good luck for the coming year.
Where learned: HUNGARY
Date learned: 00001950S
Whenever I take a test or quiz I sign my name Lori Taylor-Muckle
to give me good luck.
Submitter comment:
I'm engaged and Taylor is the last name of my fiance. This
ritual has worked so far I haven't failed a test in two years.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 00001980S
On January first, Greeks celebrate what is known as St. Basil's
Day. It is the equivalent of Christmas here. It begins at twelve
o'clock midnight on December 31. "Vasilopita" - St Basil's Bread - is
served. Baked in the sweet bread is a single gold coin. The person to
receive the slice of sweet bread with the coin is said to have good
luck for the duration of the year. Presents are distributed. Then
snacks and drinks are served to all because in Greece there is no
certain age that must be attained before one is allowed to drink
alcohol.
Submitter comment: St. Basil is the equivalent of Santa Claus.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): holiday
James Callow Keyword(s): drinking age
Date learned: 00001945CA
In Greece, it is strictly believed that all good and all evil
will come in three's. My informants gave me an example to help me
understand:
"If you steal something, you may get away with it once, twice, but
the third time you will get caught."
Submitter comment:
Even though I don't believe in this superstition, I have
experienced it on a few occasions.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001943CA
Each year on the 6th of January, which is known as Epiphany,
after morning liturgy, the minister and the entire congregation of
some Greek churches go to a dock on the seafront, the minister
carrying a cross of silver or gold that stands about six inches high
by four inches wide. After the minister blesses the cross, he throws
it into the sea. Then boys ages 16 to 32 (32 symbolizing the age of
Jesus at his death) leap off the dock and into the sea searching
frantically for the cross. The one who finds it is said to be blessed
for the duration of the year.
Submitter comment:
According to my informant, the minister and the select group of
boys may go on a boat just off shore instead of on the dock with the
congregation cheering them on from the shore. I was also told that
the cross, to the best of my informant's knowledge, has
always been found.
Where learned: GREECE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Number P686.1.16 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.32 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001943CA