Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F533 returned 456 results.
RINGS
OUR FAMILY HAS A TRADITION OF PASSING A RING. THE
RING GOES TO EVERY OTHER GENERATION. MY GREAT
GRANDMOTHER GAVE IT TO MY GRAND FATHER, AND MY DAD
GOT HIS FROM HIS MOTHER. IT IS ALWAYS PASSED WHEN
THE PERSON RECEIVING IT IS FOURTEEN YEARS OLD.
THAT'S WHEN MY DAD GAVE HIS TO ME.
Submitter comment: FAMILY TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
PARLORS
IN MAMA'S HOUSE AND ALL OLD GERMAN AND IRISH HOMES IN
OLD CORK TOWN (DETROIT, MICHIGAN SECTION) FORTY OR
FIFTY YEARS AGO, YOU WOULD NEVER THINK OF RINGING
SOMEONE'S FRONT DOORBELL. YOU AUTOMATICALLY WENT
TO THE SIDE OR BACK DOOR. SUNDAY WAS THE ONLY DAY
YOU WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR AND RANG THE BELL.
YOU COVERED YOUR FURNITURE WITH SHEETS AND NO ONE WOULD
SIT IN THERE EXCEPT SUNDAYS, PARLOR DAY. IT WAS WHAT
MAMA CALLED "VERBOTEN" (FORBIDDEN) TO GO IN THERE.
Submitter comment:
GERMAN FOR FORBIDDEN
FAMILY TRADITION AS A GIRL IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
AMISH "SINGLE-MARRIED" DISTINCTION
IF YOU ARE SINGLE YOU HAVE TO RIDE IN AN OPEN
CARRIAGE. ONLY AFTER MARRIAGE CAN YOU RIDE IN A
CLOSED CARRIAGE. IF THERE IS A SINGLE GIRL LIVING
IN A HOUSE THE DOORS AND SHUTTERS ARE PAINTED
PINK (SHE THINKS). OTHERWISE, THEY ARE BLUE OR
WHITE.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA ABOUT 1920.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 01-12-1964
CUSTOM-DIVERSION
GIVE A PENNY WITH ANY GIFT THAT IS SHARP OR YOU
WILL CUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Where learned: INDIANA ; Hudson Lake
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
WALKING PRACTICE
IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT, WHEN HE
WAS A CHILD, TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE BLOCKS OF
SIDEWALK WITH THE LETTERS D.P.W. ON THEM. THEY
COULD STEP ON THE BLOCKS WITH A DATE ON THEM, BUT
NOT WITH D.P.W. HE RELATED THAT THEY COULD NOT
STEP ON A CRACK EITHER.
Data entry tech comment: D.P.W.=DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-15-1967
A LIGHT IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE
IF A GIRL LIGHT(S) A CIGARETTE IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE IN
VENICE , ITALY, IT MEANS SHE IS LOOKING FOR A MAN
TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A TOURIST VISITING ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH CUSTOM
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPANY FOR DINNER, YOU MUST PUT SEVEN
SWEETS AND SEVEN SOURS ON THE TABLE. USUALLY, THE
GUESTS WILL COUNT TO SEE IF THEY'RE ALL THERE AND
IF NOT, HE CHIDES, IN A FRIENDLY WAY, THE HOSTESS FOR
FORGETTING.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1920.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-12-1964
GIFTS BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN ARE NEVER EXCHANGED.
Data entry tech comment: CHRISTMAS?
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BED
IN THE INFORMANT'S HOME IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR THE FATHER
TO SLEEP APART FROM THE FAMILY TO GUARD THE GRAIN.
HE SLEPT ON A LOUCK, WHAT WE KNOW AS A BENCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1971
IF YOU TREAT A SICK CHILD LIKE AN ADULT AND A SICK ADULT LIKE
A CHILD, EVERYTHING USUALLY WORKS OUT PRETTY WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; CHIASMUS ; CURES ; ILLNESS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Remedy PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-17-1971
BAD LUCK OMEN
WHEN GIVING A SHARP ITEM (SUCH AS KNIVES OR RAZORS), GIVE THE
PERSON A PENNY FOR EACH ITEM.
Submitter comment:
THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE BOND ( FRIENDSHIP, KINSHIP,ETC.) WILL
NOT BE BROKEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
PLANTING CUSTOM
AT PLANTING TIME, YOU EXCHANGE SEEDLINGS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR BUT
DO NOT PLANT THEM UNTIL A SIGNAL IS GIVEN BY THE RAIN PEOPLE, WHO ARE
THOSE WISE MEN WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
WISHES
WHENEVER SOMEONE PASSES UNDER A VIADUCT WITH A MOVING TRAIN
OVERHEAD , HE OR SHE CAN MAKE A WISH. THIS CUSTOM HAS BEEN
PRESENT IN MY FAMILY FOR THREE GENERATIONS.
Submitter comment: FREQUENTLY PRACTICED
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001930S
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
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, WE WOULD LINE UP ON THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
WITH THE OLDEST AT THE TOP AND WE ALL WENT DOWN TO OPEN OUR PRESENTS
TOGETHER
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NORTH TONAWANDA
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE WIDOW MUST GO TO MASS EVERY MONTH FOR THE SOUL THAT DIED.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1939
THE WIDOW MAY NOT GO TO ANY FESTIVALS EXCEPT RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
FOR A YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1939
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
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, ALL THE RELATIVES VISIT. THE KIDS SHOOT OFF
FIRECRACKERS AND EACH CHILD GETS A PRETZEL ON A STICK FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
WHEN EATING LAMB OR GOAT'S MEAT, ONLY THE MEN ARE ALLOWED TO EAT THE
ANIMAL HEAD; THE WOMEN CAN ONLY EAT THE LOWER JAW BONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TREAT TO EAT AN ANIMAL'S
HEAD, AND THAT EATING LAMB AND GOAT IS COMMON IN AFRICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982