Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S600 returned 515 results.
POLISH CUSTOM
WHEN MY MOTHER WAS A YOUNG GIRL, THERE WAS A SMALL
HOLY WATER FONT AT HER FRONT DOOR. UPON LEAVING THE
HOUSE, ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WERE EXPECTED TO
"BLESS THEMSELVES." AFTER THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED,
MY GRANDMOTHER OR SOMEONE NEARBY WOULD SAY-IN
POLISH-"GO WITH GOD." WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL WOULD
RETURN HOME FROM CHURCH, MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD SAY
-IN POLISH-"BLESSED BE JESUS CHRIST FOREVER AND
FOREVER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Home SPEECH -- Gesture |
WHEN YOU CROSS YOUR LEGS AND MOVE YOUR LEG UP AND DOWN
THEN YOU ARE GIVING THE DEVIL A RIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
IF YOU POUT, YOUR LIP WILL REMAIN THAT WAY.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER, AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
WHEN TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME,
THEY HOOKED LITTLE FINGERS AND MADE A WISH.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MELKITE BAPTISM
IN THE BAPTISMAL CEREMONY OF THE MELKITE RITE, THE
GODPARENTS ARE ASKED BY THE PRIEST TO SPIT ON THE
DEVIL. THIS THEY DO, SYMBOLICALLY BY SPITTING
ON THE FLOOR.
Submitter comment: ATTITUDE: TRUSTING.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
VAMPIRE
THE ONLY WAY TO SCARE A VAMPIRE OFF AT NIGHT IS TO MAKE SIGN OF THE
CROSS.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE MANY STORIES LIKE THIS ONE ON ORIGINAL 5X8 CARDS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
RAILROAD CROSSING
WHEN YOU CROSS A RAILROAD CROSSING IN A CAR TOUCH THE ROOF OF
THE CAR WITH YOUR PALMS SO YOU WON'T HAVE BAD LUCK.
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
KNOCK ON WOOD
YOU SAY SOMETHING THEN KNOCK 3 TIMES SO THAT NO BAD LUCK
WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SOCIAL RELATIONS ; SUPERNATURAL: KNOCKING ON WOOD
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-31-1968
FOLK BELIEF (LUCK)
IN GERMAN VILLAGES WHEN A MAN ENTERS AN INN HE MUST HIDE HIS FACE
AND SEEK OUT HIS FRIENDS. HE MUST THEN BUY ALE FOR HIS CHRONIES
(CRONIES) BEFORE THEY RECOGNIZE HIM. THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
IF SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THE FIRST BEER FOR HIM IT IS
AN OMEN OF BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DRINKING ; GERMAN BELIEF ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
Date learned: 09-21-1968
BELIEF
IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A PERSON SPEAKS OF HIS OWN GOOD
FORTUNE, HE SHOULD AFTERWARDS KNOCK THREE TIMES ON SOME RAW,
UNFINISHED WOOD SO HIS LUCK WON'T CHANGE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT COLLECTED INFORMATION PASSED ON BY GRANDPARENTS IN UKRAINE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SUPERNATURAL: KNOCKING ON WOOD ; UKRAINIAN BELIEF
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
BELIEF
MANY SPANISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT AFTER SEEING A PRIEST CLOTHED IN
BLACK, THEY SHOULD TOUCH SOMETHING MADE OF WOOD TO AVOID BAD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SPANISH BELIEF ; SUPERNATURAL: TOUCHING WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
SUPERSTITION
IN GERMANY, INSTEAD OF SAYING KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED, THEY SAY
KEEP YOUR THUMBS PRESSED. MEANING THE THUMB OF EACH HAND TO A
FOREFINGER.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
"KOOTIES"
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO KEEP FROM GETTING "KOOTIES" (FROM TOUCHING A
BOY)
1. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED.
2. YOU MUST TRACE THE SIGN OF AN ENCIRCLED X ON YOUR HAND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- School SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
GESTURE
IN NIGERIA, AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND, PALMS OUT SIGNIFIES THE OBCENITY
F___ YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
ETHNIC JOKE
JOE: THERE,S A NEW STORE IN TOWN SELLING BRAINS, THEY HAVE
TWO TYPES--- A BLACK MAN,S BRAIN AND A WHITE MAN,S BRAIN.
THE BLACK MAN,S COST MORE.
JIM: WHY?
JOE: CAUSE THE WHITE MAN,S BRAIN BEEN USED.
Submitter comment: NOT FUNNY.
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
RELIGIOUS GESTURE
A RELIGIOUS CUSTOM IN MY FAMILY IS THAT MEN TIP THEIR HAT AND
WOMEN MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WHEN PASSING BY A CHURCH.
Submitter comment: FREQUENTLY PRACTICED
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001930S
LUCK
A WAY OF RECEIVING GOOD LUCK IN THE FORM OF MONEY IS DONE BY
SPITTING ON THE SIDEWALK. AFTER SOMEONE DOES THIS, THEY CAN
EXPECT TO FIND MONEY ON THE GROUND SOON AFTERWARD.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-10-1981
EVIL EYE
THE MOLOQUE IS A HAND GESTURE THAT HAS THE FIRST AND FOURTH FINGER
POINTING STRAIGHT UP WITH THE OTHER TWO FINGERS AND THUMB CLENCHED
IN A FIST.
Submitter comment:
THE MOLOQUE IS USED BY A PERSON AGAINST SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER
ENVIOUS OF OR SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT THAT PERSON. IT IS MOST OFTEN
FLASHED SOMEWHERE THE ENVIOUS PERSON CAN'T SEE IT (BEHIND A THIGH
OR IN A POCKET, FOR EXAMPLE). IT IS BELIEVED TO "REPULSE" WHATEVER
"SIGNALS" OR "VIBES" THE ENVIOUS PERSON IS SENDING OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bird SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
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
BODY PART BELIEFS
IF A PART OF YOUR BODY GOES TO "SLEEP", LICKING YOUR FINGER
AND DRAWING AN "X" ON THE PART WILL MAKE IT GO AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Method of Curing SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S