Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S600 returned 515 results.
NEVER SIT WITH YOUR BACK TOWARDS A DOOR, THIS WILL
DEFINITELY BRING YOU BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
YOU SHOULD NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE EYES OF A CAT
BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE IT AND WILL ATTACK YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
AFRO-AMERICAN BELIEFS
TO TALK WITH THE DEAD WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT, WRITE THE NAME
OF THE PERSON YOU WISH TO CONVERSE WITH, COVER A GLASS
OF WATER WITH THE NAME WRITTEN ON A SHEET OF PAPER, AND
STAND BEFORE A MIRROR WITH LIGHTED CANDLE. THE FIGURE OF
THE PERSON WILL APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. MM
IF A PERSON SWEEPS ACROSS YOUR FEET WITH THE BROOM YOU
MUST SPIT UPON IT OR YOU WILL GO TO JAIL. MM
PICKING A MARRIAGE PARTNER:
A WOMAN WHOSE SECOND TOE IS LONGER THAN THE FIRST IS A
POOR CHOICE FOR A WIFE IN THAT SHE WILL MAKE HER
HUSBAND MISERABLE BY DOMINATION OR HER ATTEMPTS AT DOING
SO. MM
ANOTHER IS THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED
TO PREPARE FOOD BECAUSE SHE IS UNCLEAN. MM
IF A MAN'S WIFE
CLIMBS ACROSS HIM TO GET OUT OF BED HE WILL BEAR THE
LABOR PAINS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; TRANSFER
Date learned: 07-00-1967
CHILDREN'S SONG
I'M BRINGING HOME A BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME!
I'M BRINGING HOME A BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OUCH! HE STUNG ME!
I'M SQUASHIN' UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME!
I'M SQUASHIN' UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH, WHAT A MESS!
I'M LICKIN' UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME!
I'M LICKIN' UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
BOY! I FEEL SICK!
I'M BARFING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME!
I'M BARFING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
I SURE MADE A MESS!
I'M SWEEPING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME!
I'M SWEEPING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
NOW MY MOMMY'S PROUD OF ME!
I FOUND ANOTHER BABY BUMBLE BEE...
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS A CIRCULAR, OR NEVER-ENDING SONG. THE CHILD
FINDS ANOTHER BEE, AND THE WHOLE CYCLE REPEATS. THIS SONG
IS MOST OFTEN SUNG AT GIRL SCOUT GATHERINGS AND ON THE WAY TO
CAMP. A SERIES OF GESTURES OFTEN ACCOMPANIES THE VERSES,
EACH GESTURE BEING AN IMITATION OF THE ACTS POINTED TO IN THE
SONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
Entry filtered.
ANCIENT RIDDLE
WHAT DOES A V-SIGN WITH YOUR FINGERS MEAN IN A BAR?
A ROMAN ORDERING FIVE BEERS.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN MY SCHOOL CAFETERIA WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 04-00-1974
SOME PEOPLE ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE EVIL EYES; IF SUCH A PERSON GIVES
YOU A COMPLIMENT, YOU'D BETTER KNOCK ON WOOD OR HAVE SOMEONE PINCH
YOU SO BAD LUCK WILL NOT COME UPON YOU.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
A POPULAR HAWAIIAN HAND GESTURE IS
SHAKA, OR "HANG-LOOSE". THIS GESTURE IS MADE BY
FOLDING THE INDEX, MIDDLE, AND THE RING FINGERS DOWN
AND LEAVING THE THUMB AND BABY FINGER POINTING
UPWARD.
Submitter comment:
THE GESTURE IS USED AS A GREETING, IT IS PRINTED
ON T-SHIRTS, AND AS A SIGN OF FRIENDLINESS.
IT IS ALSO USED IN PLACE OF WAVING GOOD-BYE
TO SOMEONE.
Where learned: HAWAII ; HONOLULU
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1984
JOKING GESTURE
IF YOU SQUEEZE A GIRL'S KNEE AND SHE LAUGHS, SHE HAS A
BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER USED TO DO THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE. IT WAS
A TEASING JOKE OF HIS THAT HE USED TO DO TO MY SISTERS,
OUR FRIENDS AND MYSELF.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
IF A GIRL HAS BEEN BAD TO HER PARENTS OR HAS TRIED TO HIT
THEM, HER HAND WILL COME OUT OF HER GRAVE UNTIL IT IS SLAPPED
DOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER BOYFRIEND. HIS
GRANDMOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY.
SHE SAID THAT IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO GIRLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; JUSTICE ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
MEXICAN BELIEF
WHENEVER A PERSON LEAVES SOMEONE'S HOUSE, THEY
SHOULD TOUCH EVERYONE. THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN
CASE THE VISITOR BROUGHT EVIL WITH THEM. WHEN THEY
TOUCH THE PERSONS, THEY TAKE THE EVIL WITH THEM
WHEN THEY LEAVE.
Submitter comment:
MY STEP-GRANDFATHER BELIEVES IN THIS AND WILL TOUCH
EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY WHEN HE LEAVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001982CA
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
A COMMON PENANCE PRACTICE DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE
PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL WAS "PARVA MENSA"
DURING THE DINNER MEAL. THIS PRACTICE ENTAILED KNEELING
AT THE TABLE FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL HOUR AS A SIGN OF PENANCE
FOR ONE'S SINS. THIS PRACTICE WAS ENCOURAGED FOR THE
SAKE OF HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
A COMMON PENANCE PRACTICE DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE
PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL WAS TO KNEEL WITH
HANDS EXTENDED DURING THE EVENING MEAL GRACE. THIS
WAS CONSIDERED A PENANCE PRACTICE AND A SIGN OF HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE PRACTICES
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN
COUNCIL, "CULPAS" WERE OFTEN PERFORMED DURING THE EVENING
MEAL. CULPA IS A LATIN WORD MEANING "FAULTS". CULPAS
WERE PUBLIC CONFESSIONS MADE DURING DINNER IN FRONT OF
THE COMMUNITY. OFTEN THE CONFESSOR WOULD KISS THE FEET
OF CERTAIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS UPON FINISHING HIS CONFESSION
AS A SIGN OF PENANCE AND HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, A NOVICE WAS
ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES KISSING COMMUNITY MEMBERS' FEET
DURING THE EVENING MEAL AS A SIGN OF PENANCE AND HUMILITY
WHEN THE SERVERS ACCIDENTLY DUMPED THE SOUP TRAY ON TOP
OF HIM. HE WAS PERFORMING A "CULPA" WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Submitter comment:
CULPAS WERE PUBLIC CONFESSIONS DURING DINNER PRACTICED IN
THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
IF A WOMAN KISSES A GUY WITH BUCK-TEETH, SHE'LL GET SYPHILLIS.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN BY HIS MOTHER
WHILE GROWING UP IN RURAL OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
BAHAMIAN FUNERAL PROCESSION
IN THE BAHAMAS AFTER THE CHURCH CEREMONY IS HELD FOR THE
DECEASED, THE FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND LODGE (THESE ARE SPECIAL
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BAHAMAS) MEMBERS FORM TWO LINES OUTSIDE
THE CHURCH. THE LODGE'S BAND HEAD THE PROCESSION RENDERING
SONGS LIKE "ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS" WITH A PARTICULARLY
LOUD BUT MOURNFUL THUMP ON THE BASS DRUM. THE PARTICIPANTS IN
A FUNERAL PROCESSION ARE BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS WALKING
SILENTLY AND SOLEMNLY IN PAIRS. LITTLE GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
WITH HUGE BUTTERFLY BOWS ATTACHED TO THEIR PIGTAILS AND LITTLE
BOYS IN CLEAN WHITE SHIRTS AND BLACK TROUSERS CARRY IMMENSE
WREATHS OF REAL (AND SOMETIMES ARTIFICIAL) FLOWERS AS WELL.
BEHIND THE CHILDREN WOMEN FOLLOW DRESSED IN THEIR WHITE UNIFORM
OR LODGE DRESSES. THEY ARE FOLLOWED BY A MAN CARRYING A
LODGE BANNER OF ONE OF THE FRATERNAL ORDERS IN THE SAME COLOURS
AS THE MEN'S SASHES OR IN THE LODGE'S COLOURS. THE OFFICIAL
UNIFORM WORN BY THE MEN CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING: BLACK SUITS, WHITE
SHIRTS, BLACK BOWTIES, BLACK TOP HATS, AND SASHES OR APRON-LIKE
WEAR EMBLEMS SUCH AS "BROTHERS" (OR BILLS) AND "DAUGHTERS" (OR
SISTERS) AROUND THEIR NECKS. BEHIND THE PROUD BANNER CARRIER
A GROUP OF TIGHTLY KNIT MEN TAKE THEIR LAST WALK WITH THEIR
LODGE "BROTHER". THESE MEN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUSHING THE
COFFIN ON A BIER TOWARD ITS FINAL DESTINATION. THE FAMILY
MEMBERS FOLLOW BEHIND IN ISOLATION (AND TODAY THE IMMEDIATE OR
CLOSE FAMILY FOLLOW IN BLACK CADILLACS BELONGING TO THE FUNERAL
HOME OR MORTICIAN). AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
IN NASSAU HEARSES AND OTHER COMMODITIES SUCH AS A CAR FOR
THE FAMILY ARE USED. OTHER MEMBERS MAY CHOOSE TO RIDE THEIR
CARS INSTEAD OF MARCHING IN THE PROCESSION, BUT FREQUENTLY
MANY PEOPLE SHOW THEIR RESPECT FOR THE DEAD BY MARCHING IN
THE PROCESSION. THE FACT THAT MOST CHURCHES ARE WITHIN WALKING
DISTANCE OF A CEMETERY IS ALSO ANOTHER REASON. IN SOME CASES
THE CEMETERY MAY BE IN THE CHURCH'S YARD.
AT THE CEREMONIES AROUND THE GRAVE, AFTER THE CHURCH OR
OFFICIAL CEREMONY ARE COLORFUL OR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCES
SUCH AS VARIOUS SIGNALS WITH THE HANDS AND ARMS. FOR EXAMPLE:
(1) THE MEMBERS WOULD STRETCH THEIR ARMS OUT.
(2) THEN THEY WOULD CLASP THEIR ARMS TO THEIR BREASTS THREE
TO FOUR TIMES.
(3) AFTER THIS IS DONE THEY WOULD RESPOND TO A READING FROM THE
BIBLE OR THEIR MANUAL BOOK IN UNISON.
(4) FINALLY THEY WOULD GRASP THE GREEN LEAF OR FOLIAGE THAT
HAD BEEN PINNED TO THEIR LAPELS (OR HATS) AND IN ONE FINAL
GESTURE THROW IT IN THE GRAVE OF THE DECEASED.
Submitter comment:
IN THE BAHAMAS THE LODGE OR ORGANIZATIONS ADD TO THE FLARE
AND TRADITION OF THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE. BAHAMIANS TAKE THEIR
LODGES VERY SERIOUSLY AND KEEP UP THEIR PAYMENTS WHEN THEY ARE
DUE. THEY DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ENJOY HELPING OTHERS IN
THEIR SOCIETY AND PROBABLY BECAUSE THE WANT TO BE PUT DOWN
OR BURIED IN STYLE.
Where learned: BAHAMAS ; NASSAU
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
DURING RECESS TERRI HEARD A RUMOR THAT IF YOU KISSED
A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, YOU WOULD GET KOOTIES.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THAT YOU WOULD GET KOOTIES FROM JUST
TOUCHING A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): COOTIES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
TERRRI'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT IF SHE CONTINUES TO CRACK
HER KNUCKLES, THEY WILL BE SO BIG THAT SHE WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO PUT HER WEDDING RING ON, WHEN IT IS TIME FOR HER
TO GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
I HEARD THAT IF YOU CRACK YOUR KNUCKLES YOU WILL
HAVE ARTHRITIS WHEN YOU GET OLDER.
Submitter comment: SEE SQ830861-22 FOR A DIFFERENT VERSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001979CA