Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.1 returned 589 results.
HOUSEWARMING GIFTS
WHEN A FRIEND GETS A NEW HOUSE, YOU SHOULD TAKE THEM HONEY AND
BREAD ON YOUR FIRST VISIT. DR. SNIDER DOES NOT REMEMBER WHY
THIS IS DONE, BUT HE REMEMBERS THAT IT IS IMPORTANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
Keyword(s): NEW HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
A TRADITIONAL GIFT GIVEN FOR GOOD LUCK TO A NEW BORN
"BAIRN" WAS FRUIT OR COAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY GIFT
Date learned: 00-00-1935
A TRADITIONAL PRACTICE WAS FOR THE NAMESAKE OF A NEW
BABY TO PURCHASE A BABY CARRIAGE AS A GIFT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1935
In Russia, newlyweds place flowers at the nearest statue
of Lenin for good luck throughout their marriage.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Tuckerton
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
It is the custom in Christian families to put
one lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve
to symbolize that Mary and Joseph would be welcome
in your home if they were searching
for a place to stay like they were so long ago.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Penns Grove
James Callow Keyword(s): HOSPITALITY
Date learned: 00001980S
Don't walk around with one shoe on or your mother will die.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-00-1991
Put the first money you receive each day into an
empty pocket; it will attract more coins.
Submitter comment:
In English market places this custom is still very
popular; that original coin is called handsel.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
James Callow Keyword(s): Pilot
Date learned: 00-00-1989
It is unlucky for the newly married couple
to go home from church on the same road they came.
Submitter comment: She was told this on her wedding day.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Sixty years ago in Ireland, children, at their
first glimpse of a full moon, were taught, in
order to escape bad luck or some dire calamity, to
use the following invocation:
"I see the moon, and the moon sees me.
God bless the moon, and God bless Me."
Submitter comment: My grandmother taught me this when I was little.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Date learned: 00001970'S
In many English Weddings, the shoe of the bride is thrown
by the principal bridesmaid, and the others run after it.
It is supposed that she who gets it will be married first.
It is then thrown amongst the men and he who is hit
will be first wedded.
Submitter comment: Old English custom.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT FARMING YOU MUST SAY THE SAME PRAYER EACH
YEAR, ONCE FOR EVERY 10 ACRES OF LAND YOU PLAN TO PLANT. EACH
FARMER MUST HAVE HIS OWN SAYING OR PRAYER.
Where learned: MISSOURI
Date learned: 00001940S
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, MY MOTHER INSISTED THAT ALL OF OUR
CLOTHING BE NEW. USUALLY WE SAVED A CHRISTMAS GIFT OUTFIT FOR THE
OCCASION. SHE WOULD ALSO FIX A STEAK DINNER AND WE'D USE OUR
BETTER DISHES AND SILVERWARE. THIS WAS SO WE WOULDN'T BE POORLY
DRESSED OR HUNGRY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER ALSO REMEMBERS HIS MOTHER TELLING HIM THAT WHATEVER
HE DID ON NEW YEAR'S DAY WOULD INFLUENCE THE REST OF HIS YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Date learned: 00001970S
When you look at the sky at night, make a wish on the first
star you see.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001970S
Tips
A waitress I had been working with told me to use my first tip
received each night to buy someone else a drink. This would act as a
"lucky omen," and cause me to receive more tips.
Submitter comment:
I have been waitressing for nearly two years, have practiced this
tradition, and have always received excellent tips.
Where learned: Saginaw Country Club
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
Monday morning a man should be the first to walk through the
house. It brings good luck.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00001960S
If the first person to enter your house on New Year's day is a
woman then you'll have good luck. If it is a man you will have
bad luck.
Submitter comment:
This was taken from a bible story about a man who asked god
for something and he was told if his wish was granted he would
have to kill the next person who came through the door. He agreed
and his wish was granted. The next person that walked through his
door was his daughter and he had promised god so he killed her.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Jephthah -- see Judges 11: 29-40
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001960S
Another custom in the celebration of the New Year in our home
was that it was mandatory that the first person in our home in
order to ensure a safe and happy year had to be a male.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Aberdeen
Date learned: 01-01-1935
There is a tradition associated with sailors that those who
cross the equator for the first time on their cruise must go
through a variety of tasks on board the ship by sailors who are
veterans of the crossing in order to say that they are an able
bodied seaman.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; San Jose
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
When passing over railroad tracks while driving in a car, you
must lift both feet off the floor until you pass the first white
house. It's considered bad luck if you don't.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1976
Always wash your hair on the first April Shower; it will make
your hair grow.
Date learned: 00-00-1955