Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P477 returned 904 results.
ST. PAUL'S GROTTO
UNDER A CHURCH IN RABAT, IS A GROTTO IN WHICH ST. PAUL AND HIS
COMPANIONS ARE SAID TO HAVE LIVED WHILE IN MALTA. LOCAL LEGEND
CLAIMS THAT WHATEVER AMOUNT OF STONE IS REMOVED FROM THIS GROTTO,
THE DIMENSIONS REMAIN THE SAME.
Where learned: HOME
Date learned: 11-11-1967
ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR GOOD LUCK
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM TO PUT SALT IN A HOUSE A FEW DAYS
BEFORE MOVING IN AND THIS WILL BRING THE OCCUPANT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.17 |
Date learned: 01-16-1968
SUPERSTITION CONCERNING BAD LUCK
IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU SOMETHING SHARP, LIKE A PIN OR KNIFE, YOU
MUST GIVE THEM A PENNY OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM SHE WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
AND GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: NATIONAL BANK OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; MONEY ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions P883.18 |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU LEAVE HOME AND DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING,
YOU MUST SIT STILL A MOMENT BEFORE RETURNING FOR IT, OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS OLD SUPERSTITION WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY AUNT WHEN SHE VISITED
HERE FROM JAMESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, IN OCTOBER OF 1963.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN OBJECT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
COUNT TO TEN
IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING WHEN LEAVING YOUR HOUSE AND HAVE
TO GO BACK FOR IT, BE SURE TO SIT DOWN AND COUNT TO TEN BEFORE
YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE AGAIN, OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; NUMBERS: TEN ; SUPERNATURAL: COUNTING TO TEN ; TRAVEL: RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN OBJECT
Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER
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
LEAVING THE SERVICE
WHEN LEAVING THE SERVICE, A SAILOR WILL NEVER CARRY HIS OWN
LUGGAGE. TO DO SO IS BAD LUCK. HE USUALLY ALLOWS ONE OF HIS BEST
FRIENDS TO HELP HIM, BRINGING ABOUT GOOD LUCK FOR
HIS HELPFUL FRIEND.
Where learned: ROUTE 2 ; INFORMANTS HOME ; W JEFFERSON RD
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: RETURN FROM NAVY
Date learned: 03-09-1970
PROVERB
WHISTLING GIRLS AND CROWING HENS BOTH TURN OUT TO NO GOOD ENDS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ONCE CAUGHT MY MOTHER WHISTLING WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE
GIRL AND SAID THIS TO HER.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
LEGEND
MY GIRLFRIEND ONCE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY BAD
ACCIDENT ON CHERRY HILL IN DEARBORN. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED A YOUNG
GIRL ON HER BIKE AND A CAR. THE GIRL WAS HIT BY THE CAR AND DRAGGED
BY THE CAR FOR SOME DISTANCE. WHILE BEING DRAGGED, THE GIRL WAS
KNOCKING ON THE CAR FOR THE DRIVER TO STOP. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF
YOU TRAVEL IN YOUR CAR IN THE EXACT TRACKS OF THE CAR, YOU WILL HEAR
A KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
LEGEND
ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS ONCE TOLD ME THAT A FRIEND OF HER MOTHER'S
WAS FLYING OUT EAST BUT SHE WAS AFRAID OF FLYING. WHILE IN THE PLANE
THE WOMAN SAID THAT SOMETHING TOLD HER TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE
CLOUDS. ALTHOUGH THE WOMAN FELT STRANGE ABOUT TAKING A PICTURE OF
THE CLOUDS, SHE STILL DID IT. NOT REALLY THINKING TOO MUCH ABOUT IT
WHILE ON HER VACATION IT ALL CAME BACK TO HER WHEN SHE RECEIVED HER
DEVELOPED PICTURES. FOR THE PICTURE THAT WAS TAKEN IN THE CLOUDS
REVEALED A CHRIST-LIKE IMAGE .
Submitter comment:
THE WOMAN FELT THAT IT WAS THE LORD THAT TOLD HER TO TAKE THE
PICTURE IN THE FIRST PLACE. SHE FELT THAT THE LORD WAS TRYING TO
TELL HER THAT HE IS ALWAYS THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
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
BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU SPILL SALT, THERE WILL BE A FIGHT BETWEEN YOU AND ANOTHER
PERSON. IF YOU SPILL PEPPER, MONEY WILL COME TO YOU THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
IF A WOMAN IS SWEEPING A ROOM AND TOUCHES YOU WITH HER BROOM,
YOU WILL NEVER GET A WOMAN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU ARE WORKING AND YOU STUMBLE ON A ROCK WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT,
GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. IF IT IS THE LEFT FOOT THEN THE FUTURE
HOLDS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM MAXIM
AN IRISH PROVERB HOLDS THAT IF YOU LAUGH TOO HARD DURING
THE DAY, YOU WILL CRY DURING THE NIGHT.
Submitter comment: DOUBLE CONTRAST: LAUGH-CRY, DAY-NIGHT
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
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
LUCK
IN THE SOUTH, IT IS BAD LUCK TO STEP OVER SOMEONE ON THE GROUND.
DOING THIS USUALLY PRECEDES MANY ACCIDENTS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001950S
LUCK
A BELIEF COMMONLY HELD IN ALABAMA IS THAT SWEEPING AFTER THE SUN
HAS FALLEN IS BAD LUCK AND USUALLY FOLLOWED BY BAD WEATHER.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001950S
DRUNK OMEN
IN MEXICO, WHEN A DRUNK OR ALCOHOLIC GOES TO A PRIEST AND SWEARS
THAT HE WILL NOT DRINK FOR A YEAR, THE ALCOHOLIC IS FEARFUL THAT IF
HE BREAKS HIS VOW BAD LUCK WILL COME TO HIM OR HIS FAMILY
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A CUSTOM PRACTICED IN MEXICO WHERE RELIGION IS A VERY IMPOR
TANT MATTER AND FEAR OF PUNISHMENT BY GOD REHABILITATES REFORMED
DRUNKS.
IMPORTANT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1981
PROVERB
IF YOU SPIT IN THE SKY, IN YOUR FACE IT SHALL RETURN.
Submitter comment:
THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SAYING IS THAT A PERSON SHOULDN'T SAY BAD
THINGS ABOUT ANOTHER BECAUSE THE COMMENTS WILL EVENTUALLY COME BACK
TO HAUNT THE PERSON THAT SAID THEM. THIS PARTICULARLY APPLIES TO A
PERSON'S CHILDREN. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF PERSON A TALKS ABOUT THE
THINGS THAT PERSON B'S CHILDREN DO, THOSE SAME THINGS WILL
HAPPEN TO THE CHILDREN OF PERSON A IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-25-1982