Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S600 returned 515 results.
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL KISS A FOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Gesture |
WHEN YOU TRAVEL UNDER AN OVERPASS, PLACE YOUR HANDS OVER YOUR
HEAD. WHEN YOU TRAVEL OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, LIFT YOUR FEET.
THIS IS TO INSURE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
MEDIEVAL THERAPY FOR INFERTILE WOMEN CONSISTED OF DRINKS
MADE FROM MISTLETOE.
Submitter comment:
THIS RESULTED INTO TODAY'S CUSTOM OF A KISS AT CHRISTMAS
UNDER THE MISTLETOE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
HIDE AND GO GET IT
A FORM OF HIDE AND SEEK. A GROUP OF BOYS HIDE FROM A GROUP
OF GIRLS AND WHEN THE GIRLS FIND THE BOYS THEY GET A KISS,
THEN THEY SWITCH, THE GIRLS HIDE AND THE BOYS FIND THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND YOU GO THROUGH A RED LIGHT
YOU MUST HIT THE ROOF OF YOUR CAR WITH BOTH HANDS TO
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM GETTING A TICKET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-01-1983
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER AND YOU SEE ANOTHER PLAYER TWISTING
HIS RING IT MEANS THAT HE IS BLUFFING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Gesture |
When I was little my mother used to say that while
I was making a face at my sister it would get stuck
that way forever, because God was watching and He
didn't make faces to do that !
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Thumper
This is a drinking game that my sister taught me.
In order to play there must be at least 7 people,
actually the more the better. Another requirement
is that all the people must have at least a good
"buzz." This makes the game all the better.
Everyone should sit around a table with a glass of
whatever they are drinking. Now comes the fun part.
The rules of the game are not very difficult under
normal conditions. One person is chosen to be the
leader. Everyone playing has a certain sign or
symbol. These signs are usually a hand gesture or
a combination of hand gestures. The players then
go around the table to review the signs before the
game starts just to make sure they understand them.
The leader then calls the start of the game, does
their ( his or her) sign first, then another player's
sign. This other player does their sign first,
then another person's. This goes on like this in
any order until a person forgets their sign, does
a wrong sign, or signs in the wrong order. As the game
progresses the pace gradually gets to a point where
it is very fast. This all sounds easy but it can become
very confusing. I'll give an example of how it's
played with the exception of some words since they
are not appropriate. All of this is said at the top
of your lungs.
Leader: What's the name of the game?
All: Thumper!
Leader: How do you play?
All: Dirty!
Leader: How dirty?
All: #!?%'n Dirty!
Leader: (their sign ... then a player's sign)
Player: (their sign ... then a player's sign)
This goes on until someone makes a mistake then that
player must take a drink. A last note is that a player
can also pass back to the leader. This is actually
quite a fun game to watch to see everyone make fools
out of themselves.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory SPEECH -- Gesture |
My sister taught me to put my finger on a screw as we
drove over a set of railroad tracks. This was so you
could get any wish of your choice. The only condition
to this was that you had to be touching the metal
part of the screw.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001977 ca
If your nose itches you will kiss someone or you
will have company.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001988 ca
Chinese custom
From the time of death of a family member the remaining part
of the family cannot sit on chairs. Even during the funeral
service they must sit on the floor.
Where learned: CHINA
Keyword(s): Furniture ; Mourners
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
To insure that a healthy baby will be born, make a sign of the
cross on the mother's belly every day before delivery.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Birth SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
WHILE PLAYING POOL, IF YOU LICK YOUR INDEX FINGER AND
DRAW AN IMAGINARY X OVER THE POCKET YOUR OPPONENT IS
TRYING TO SHOOT AT, THE BALL WILL NOT GO IN. THIS IS
CALLED A POOL HEX.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; DEXTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
IT IS CUSTOMARY TO WEAR GREEN ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
IF YOU ARE IRISH AND YOU DON'T WEAR GREEN, YOU
MAY BE PINCHED.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S CA
If two people say the same thing at the same time
you should hook your little fingers and make a
wish.
Submitter comment:
Informant says she has been practicing this since
she was a little girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Simultaneity of speech
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions |
Date learned: 00001950S
IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE
LOWER PENINSULA HOLD UP THEIR RIGHT OR LEFT HAND
LIKE A MITTEN AND POINT TO THE PLACE ON THEIR HAND
WHICH SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE CITY IN WHICH
THEY LIVE.(POINT TO THE PALM ON THE RIGHT HAND OR
BACKHAND OF THE LEFT.)
Submitter comment:
THE LOWER PENINSULA OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN LOOKS
LIKE A MITTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY OF A STATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
"I'm bringin' home a baby bumble bee,
Won't my mommy be surprised at me,
I'm bringin' home a baby bumble bee.
Ouch, it stung me!
I'm smooshin' up my baby bumble bee,
Won't my mommy be surprised at me,
I'm smooshin' up my baby bumble bee.
Yuck, what a mess!
I'm lickin' up my baby bumble bee,
Won't my mommy be surprised at me,
I'm lickin' up my baby bumble bee.
Eew, that was horrible!
I'm throwin' up my baby bumble bee,
Won't my mommy be surprised at me,
I'm throwin' up my baby bumble bee.
Submitter comment: This is a song with gestures.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; Nausea
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001977 ca.
You should never point at a rainbow or you or
your child could lose a hand.
Where learned: THAILAND
Date learned: 00001960S
When you light incense you should wave
it out with your hand. You'll have
bad luck if you blow it out.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
When you see the first few robins in
the spring you lick your thumb on your right hand,
put it on the palm of your left hand for a second,
and then stamp your palm where your thumb was with
your left fist. This is supposed to bring you
good luck for the rest of the year.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Allegan
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S