Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S600 returned 515 results.
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
TO SIT ON A CHAIR SWINGING ONE'S LEGS BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS WILL
DRIVE AWAY ONE'S DAILY BREAD.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF REFERS TO WHAT IS REGARDED AS BAD MANNERS
AND A SIGN OF CONTEMPT.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IF THE HEM OF A GIRL'S DRESS IS ACCIDENTLY TURNED UP, IT MEANS
THAT HER LOVER IS THINKING ABOUT HER. THE GIRL SHOULD KISS THE
HEM AND MAKE A WISH BEFORE TURNING THE HEM DOWN. THE WISH THAT
SHE HAS MADE WILL COME TRUE WITHIN A WEEK.
Where learned: OHIO ; DEFIANCE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
WHEN A PERSON IS LAYING ON THE FLOOR,
NO ONE SHOULD CROSS OVER HIM. THIS GESTURE MEANS THEY
WILL NEVER GROW AGAIN. TO UNDO THE CURSE ONE MUST
WALK BACK OVER THE PERSON ON THE FLOOR, THEN WALK
AROUND HIM.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
EXPRESSION OF LOVE
GIVING FLOWERS TO SHOW LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1982
A WAY OF SAYING THANK-YOU.
GIVING FLOWERS TO EXPRESS A WORD OF THANKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1982
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, WE WERE TOLD THAT IF WE DROPPED A PIECE OF
BREAD OR OTHER SOLID-TYPE FOOD, WE SHOULD PICK IT UP QUICKLY,
KISS IT, AND PUT IT TO OUR FOREHEADS AND GOD WOULD BLESS IT AND MAKE
IT CLEAN FOR US TO EAT. (THIS WAS ONLY TRUE IN OUR OWN HOUSE.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Body part Senses Forehead SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001950S
BIRTHDAY TRADITION
FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, YOU GET A PINCH THE DAY BEFORE, A SPANKING ON
THE BIRTHDAY, AND A KISS THE DAY AFTER.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; WAYNE COUNTY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001930S
AUTHOR
MRS. ST. AMOUR'S MOTHER'S FIRST COUSIN WAS WALTER WHITMAN, THE
FAMOUS POET.
HE LIVED IN THE EAST. CONNECTICUT WAS HIS HOME STATE.
Submitter comment:
ALSO THE ST. AMOUR FAMILY SAY POEMS AT THE DINNER TABLE
ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS. THEY HOLD HANDS AT THANKSGIVING DINNER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-03-1982
RURAL BLACK BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU STUB YOUR TOE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY SPIN AROUND
THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION. IF YOU DO NOT, YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK. WE ACTUALLY DID BELIEVE THIS AS CHILDREN AND WE
SELDOM FAILED TO SPIN AROUND WHEN THE SITUATION CALLED FOR
IT. OF COURSE, ONCE WE BECAME A BIT OLDER, IN HIGH
SCHOOL, WE NO LONGER BOTHERED WITH THIS SORT OF THING. IT
WAS STRICTLY FOR KIDS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD IN A RURAL BLACK PORTION
OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI DURING THE 1930'S. THE FAMILY
MOVED TO DETROIT DURING WORLD WAR II AND HAS LIVED IN
DETROIT SINCE THAT TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
FRENCH NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
ON THE EVE OF NEW YEAR'S, AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE
CHILDREN KNEEL BEFORE THEIR PARENTS AND ASK TO BE
FORGIVEN ANY WRONGS THEY HAVE COMMITTED DURING THE YEAR.
THEN THEY ASK FOR THEIR PARENT'S BLESSING. THE PARENTS
PLACED THEIR HANDS ON EACH CHILD'S HEAD TO BLESS THEM.
THE CHILD ROSE AND KISSED THE PARENTS.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
Date learned: 00-00-1935
SIGN OF THE CROSS
MANY UKRAINIAN WOMEN OFTEN USE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS IN
CONNECTION WITH FOOD. THEY MAKE THE SIGN OVER THE LOAVES
OF BREAD BEFORE PUTTING THEM INTO THE OVEN FOR BAKING.
MANY WOMEN ALSO MAKE THE SIGN ON THE BOTTOM OF A LOAF OF
BREAD BEFORE BEGINNING TO SLICE IT. THE UKRAINIANS DEPENDED
ON BREAD AS A MAIN PART OF THEIR DAILY FOOD. SINCE UKRAINE
WAS THE BREADBASKET OF EUROPE, THEIR GRATITUDE AND THEIR
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PLENTY WAS EXPRESSED THROUGH THIS SIMPLE
RELIGIOUS GESTURE OF ACKNOWLEDGING THE UNIVERSAL PROVIDER.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE NEVER SEEN MY MOTHER SLICE A LOAF OF BREAD WITHOUT
MAKING A SIGN OF THE CROSS OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE LOAF.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: 00001950S
PALM SUNDAY GREETING
FOR UKRAINIANS, THE PUSSY WILLOWS REPLACE THE PALM AND THE
DAY IS CALLED FLOWERY SUNDAY. AFTER THE BLESSING AND THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE PUSSY WILLOWS, THE PEOPLE GENTLY TAP
ONE ANOTHER WITH THE PUSSY WILLOW. THEY SAY THIS VERY
TRADITIONAL PHRASE. I AM NOT HITTING YOU, THE PUSSY WILLOW
IS HITTING YOU, A WEEK FROM TODAY IS EASTER.
THE PUSSY WILLOWS ARE THEN TAKEN HOME. THEY ARE USED AS A
SACRAMENTAL AND PLACED BEHIND HOLY PICTURES ON A WALL OR
ARRANGED IN A VASE ON A TABLE OR DRESSER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): SWITCHING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ash Wednesday SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001950S
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
BOYS NEVER MAKE PASSES AT GIRLS WHO WEAR GLASSES.
Submitter comment: I USED TO WEAR GLASSES AND I CAN REMEMBER THIS BEING SAID TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF YOU GRADUATE IN A CERTAIN YEAR YOU MUST HAVE YOUR CLASS RING
TURNED THAT NUMBER OF TIMES TO INSURE GOOD LUCK. EX- 1983-83 TURNS
BY 83 PEOPLE.
Submitter comment: THE RING SHOULD BE TURNED CLOCKWISE FROM THE WEARERS POINT OF VIEW.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MILLINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Good luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.) SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
POINTING AT THE GRAVE CAUSES BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck Gestures SPEECH -- Gesture |
MAY BASKET DAY
MAY 1ST IS CELEBRATED BY DECORATING LITTLE BOXES
AND TAKING THEM OVER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, YOU MUST
RING THEIR DOORBELL AND RUN HOPING THAT THEY DON'T
CATCH YOU BEFORE YOU MAKE IT TO YOUR CAR, BECAUSE IF
THEY DO THEN THEY GET TO KISS OR PINCH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
BELIEF
YOU MUST KEEP YOUR HEAD BOWED WHILE IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE DEAD. THIS IS DONE OUT OF RESPECT AND BECAUSE
THEY ARE NOW WITH THE LORD AND US HUMANS MUST SHOW
HUMILITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
WHEN I WAS A KID IF I DROPPED ANYTHING ON THE GROUND
I WOULD CROSS MYSELF WITH THE OBJECT IN MY HAND AND
SAY "GOD KISS IT, DEVIL MISS IT." THIS MADE ME
BELIEVE THAT THE OBJECT WAS CLEAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SANITARY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983