Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P542 returned 854 results.
GERMAN-AMERICAN CUSTOM
A WOMAN IS NEVER TO EAT A DOUBLE-YOLKED EGG BECAUSE IT WILL
CAUSE INFERTILITY.
Submitter comment:
MOST DOUBLE-YOLKED EGGS DO NOT HATCH. THIS MAY EXPLAIN THE
INABILITY TO BEAR OFFSPRING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Food Drink -- Animal product Egg BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA00001930
IF WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND SHE GAINS WEIGHT ALL OVER, THEN
THE CHILD WILL BE A BOY. IF SHE GAINS WEIGHT ONLY AROUND THE
STOMACH THEN THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA00001920
WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
AT WEDDING SHOWERS, THE RIBBONS AND BOWS ARE COLLECTED FROM THE
GIFTS AND SAVED BY MAKING A SLIT IN A PAPER PLATE AND INSERTING
THEM INTO PLACE. WHEN THE BRIDE-TO-BE OPENS HER GIFTS, SHE SHOULD
NOT BREAK, CUT OR TEAR THE RIBBONS. THE NUMBER SHE BREAKS IS AN
INDICATOR OF THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL CONCEIVE. A
VARIATION IS THE NUMBER OF BOWS BROKEN IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF
YEARS SHE WILL WAIT TO HAVE HER FIRST BABY.
Submitter comment:
THE CUSTOM OF SAVING RIBBONS WAS FIRST HEARD BY THE COLLECTOR IN
1976. IT IS A RITE OF PASSAGE CEREMONY IN WHICH THE BRIDE-TO-BE
CHANGES FROM SINGLE TO MARRIED LIFE. HERE TWO VARIATIONS CAN BE
ILLUSTRATED. EACH IS DIFFERENT ALTHOUGH THE MAIN IDEA IS SIMILAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
Date learned: 06-00-1978 ; 10-00-1976
WHEN YOU CARRY YOUR BABY HIGH IT WILL BE A BOY AND WHEN YOU CARRY IT
LOW IT WILL BE A GIRL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
IF YOU DREAM ABOUT FISH, SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU IS PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
GEORGIA WEDDING SUPERSTITION
"WHEN A BRIDE-TO-BE WAS OPENING HER GIFTS AT THE BRIDAL SHOWER,
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS SHE BROKE MEANT THAT'S HOW MANY CHILDREN
SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
IN DETERMINING THE SEX OF A CHILD, THE GREEKS SPRINKLE SALT ON THE
BACK OF A WOMAN'S HEAD, IF SHE SCRATCHES THE LEFT SIDE, THEN SHE
WILL HAVE A GIRL. IF SHE SCRATCHES THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER HEAD,
THEN SHE WILL HAVE A BOY.
Submitter comment: I WAS ENTHRALLED BY THIS TECHNIQUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IF PEARLS ARE NOT YOUR BIRTHSTONE DO NOT BUY THEM. PEARLS MEAN TEARS
AND THEY WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I NEVER KNEW PEARLS MEAN TEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
IF A BABY OR VERY YOUNG CHILD HABITUALLY STICKS ITS
TONGUE OUT, IT IS A SIGN THAT THE MOTHER, DURING
THE BABY'S (GESTATION), HAD A CRAVING FOR SOMETHING
SHE COULD NOT GET.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER
GRANDMOTHER BECAUSE SHE, WHEN VERY SMALL ALWAYS
HAD HER TONGUE OUT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE
INFORMANT'S (MOTHER) DID HAVE A CRAVING FOR BREAD
AND BUTTER DURING HER PREGNANCY, BUT COULD NOT GET
ANY BECAUSE OF THE WAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Crucial Moment of Life Life Cycle BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
YUGOSLAVIAN CUSTOM
WHEN A BABY IS YOUNG, A BLACK PEARL IS HUNG AROUND ITS
NECK. THIS PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM AN EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
PRENATAL SUPERSTITION
MY WIFE HAS A PATTERN OF BIRTH MARKS ON HER SHOULDER
WHICH ENCOMPASS AN AREA OF ABOUT A SQUARE INCH. THE
MARKS SEEM TO DEPICT NO PARTICULAR PATTERN, BUT I WAS
INFORMED BY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW THAT THE PATTERN IS THAT
OF A CHICKEN WHICH IT MAY WELL BE. IT SEEMED THAT
WHEN MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS CARRYING MY WIFE, SHE
VISITED A FARM OF SOME FRIENDS. DURING THE COURSE
OF THE VISIT, SHE WENT IN SEARCH OF MY FATHER-IN-LAW.
STEPPING THROUGH A DOORWAY IN A SECTION OF THE BARN,
SHE UNWITTINGLY ENTERED THE CHICKEN-COUP. APPARENTLY
HER ARRIVAL SO DISTURBED THE CHICKENS THAT THEY BECAME
AROUSED. SHE CLAIMED SHE WAS ACTUALLY ATTACKED BY
SEVERAL OF THEM AND IT WAS ONLY WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
THAT SHE ESCAPED UNHARMED. FOUR MONTHS LATER, MY
WIFE WAS BORN AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS NOT IN THE
LEAST SURPRISED TO SEE THE MARK OF THE CHICKENS UPON
HER SHOULDER. AS I SAID, IT MIGHT WELL BE THE MARK
OF A CHICKEN, ALTHOUGH WITHOUT PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE,
IT MAY TAKE ANY FORM ONE WISHES TO SEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
TO HASTEN CHILDBIRTH, SEVERAL PEOPLE GATHER IN THE
MOTHER'S ROOM AND OPEN AND CLOSE THE BREECH OF A GUN.
THEY MAY EVEN SHOOT THE GUN OFF IN THE ROOM.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Medicine |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
THE UMBILICAL CORD: A KNOTTY PROBLEM
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, NEVER HOLD YOUR ARMS ABOVE YOUR
HEAD OR YOUR BABY WILL HAVE THE CORD WRAPPED AROUND
HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER FRIEND, RUTH CLENDENEN
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO. MRS. WELLS, THEN PREGNANT, WAS
LIFTING UP HER ARMS. SHE ADDED TO ME THAT HER CHILD
WAS BORN WITH THE CORD TWISTED AROUND HIS NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF THE HEARTBEAT OF THE UNBORN CHILD IS FAST, IT
IS SAID TO BE A BOY; IF THE HEARTBEAT IS SLOW, IT
IS SAID TO BE A GIRL.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
BIRTH
ON THE NINTH DAY AFTER A BABY WAS BORN, THE MOTHER
HAD TO LIE PERFECTLY STILL. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET
HER HAVE A PILLOW UNDER HER HEAD. BECAUSE THAT WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE THE DAY WHEN ALL HER FEMALE ORGANS
GO BACK INTO PLACE. BUT NOT (NOW) THEY GET A
MOTHER UP RIGHT AWAY!
Submitter comment:
LEARNED THIS AT HOME IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO, BUT
DOESN'T BELIEVE IN IT TODAY.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD DOWNS TRAILER CAMP
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
PREGNANT WOMEN
DON'T HAVE INTERCOURSE AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF PREGNANCY;
YOU'LL GIVE BIRTH TO A DEFORMED CHILD.
Submitter comment: HER MOTHER AND RELATIVES (SOURCE)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
PREGNANT WOMEN
DON'T REACH WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT YOU'L;L STRANGLE YOUR
BABY.
Submitter comment: (LEARNED FROM) HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
PREGNANCY CAUSE
DON'T LEAVE YOUR BABY'S WET DIAPER ON MY BED, OR
I'LL GET PREGNANT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MRS. VORNDAM LAST CHRISTMAS, WHEN I
WAS VISITING HER HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 12-25-1966
STUDENT LORE
HAVING WORKED AT A PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, I HAVE BEEN IN
CONTACT WITH THE CLERGY MANY TIMES. ONE NIGHT AFTER
A PARTICULARLY FESTIVE OCCASION, I WAS SPEAKING TO A
PRIEST ABOUT THE PROBLEMS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE HAVING
ETC. HE REMARKED THAT THEY ARE VERY ADAPTIBLE TO
CHANGE. EVENTUALLY, HE EXPLAINED AT LEAST TWO METHODS
OF ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION WHICH TEENAGERS EMPLOY:
1. THE BOYS WRAP THEIR PENIS WITH A COMMERCIAL
PRODUCT, SARAN WRAP, A METHOD BOTH POPULAR AND EFFECTIVE.
2. THE GIRLS, IF THE BOY HAS NO SARAN WRAP, DOUCHE
BY SHAKING A COKE BOTTLE VIGOROUSLY AND INSERTING IT
INTO THE VAGINA AFTER INTERCOURSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity BELIEF -- Birth |
PREGNANCY SUPERSTITION
A PREGNANT WOMAN MUST EAT FOR TWO.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-24-1967