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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A PLAY IF SOMEONE WHISTLES BACKSTAGE ON
OPENING NIGHT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00001983CA
BUZZING EARS
MY MOTHER TOLD ME IF MY EARS WERE BUZZING, THEN SOMEONE
WAS SPEAKING KINDLY OF ME; BUT IF THEY WERE HUMMING, THEN
THEY WERE SPEAKING BADLY OF ME.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHEN I COMPLAINED OF BUZZING EARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
A FEW SAYINGS
OH YES, I CAN REMEMBER MANY SUPERSTITIONS. AH
YOU SHOULDN'T PART IF THERE'S A POST OR TREE;
NEVER SIT UNDER AN ARCHWAY AT A FUNERAL HOME;
IF YOU PUT SALT ON A BIRD'S TALE IT WON'T MOVE;
IF THE POCKET OF A PALLBEARER IS TORN HE WILL DIE
THE NEXT DAY.
Submitter comment:
SHE WAS ZIPPING THEM RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF HER
HEAD!!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; IN HER HOUSE
Date learned: 00001930S
MY FATHER USED TO TELL ME THAT THE REASON HE WAS SUCH A
GOOD SWIMMER WAS BECAUSE HE ATE LOTS OF TAPIOCA PUDDING.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT "PUDDING" ME ON, BUT IT WAS REALLY
MADE FROM FISH-EYES.
Submitter comment:
HER FATHER, JOHN ARTHUR "DUTCH" GRUBER, ONCE SWAM ACROSS
THE DETROIT RIVER, AND BACK AGAIN. HE DIED IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001940S
GHOST OF SOUMI COLLEGE
NINA WAS A DORM STUDENT AT SOUMI COLLEGE. SOUMI IS A SMALL
COLLEGE IN HANCOCK, MICHIGAN IN THE UPPER PENINSULA, IN COPPER
COUNTRY. THE GIRL'S DORM AT SOUMI WAS BUILT IN 1869;
THE DORM BUILDING WAS ONCE USED FOR CLASSES, SERVICES, AND
LIVING QUARTERS. ONE DARK LONELY NIGHT, A GROUP OF STUDENTS
GATHERED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE DORM, OLD MAIN. THEY
STARTED TO EXCHANGE STORIES OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS. THEY
ALL HAD STRANGE EXPERIENCES ON THE FIRST FLOOR. THAT
NIGHT, UNEXPLAINED KNOCKING ON ALL WALLS IN DISORDERED
TIME SEQUENCES SCARED
NINA AND HER ROOMMATE, VICKY. THEY WAITED UP THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT, AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME GHOSTLY OCCURRENCE. IN
OTHER FIRST FLOOR DORM ROOMS, SHADES POPPED OPEN, AND
SHELVES FELL OFF THE WALLS. ONE STUDENT FELT A BREEZE
BRUSH PAST HER, AND SAW A DARK SHADOW. ONE GIRL WAS
AWAKENED BY A STRANGE SENSATION; SHE FELT A TUGGING
AT HER COLLAR. SHE EXPERIENCED THIS THREE TIMES. THERE
WERE REPORTS OF VAGUE SOUNDS LIKE MUFFLED VOICES, AND
FEELINGS OF PRESSURE AND HEAT. ONE TIME, NINA'S
ROOMMATE SAW A VISION OF AN OLD MAN IN A DERBY HAT
STANDING IN A MIST. ANOTHER GIRL SAW AN IMAGE OF A BLACK
COFFIN. NINA VISITED A PRIEST, AND GOT SOME HOLY WATER.
NINA AND HER ROOMMATE SPRINKLED THE WATER IN THE FIRST
FLOOR DORM ROOMS, AND THEN HEARD POUNDING ALL OVER THE
ROOMS, AS IF "SOMEONE WAS MAD AT WHAT WE WERE DOING."
VICKY INVESTIGATED OLD MAIN IN THE COLLEGE'S ARCHIVES.
SHE FOUND THAT THERE WAS ONCE AN OLD PASTOR NAMED
UHAU NIGHTGANDER. IN HIS PHOTOGRAPH, HE WAS WEARING A
DERBY. OLD MAIN ONCE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE COLLEGE HAD TO
REBUILD. WHEN UHAU DIED, THE FUNERAL WAS HELD ON THE
FIRST FLOOR OF OLD MAIN. THE VAGUE VOICES WERE THOUGHT TO
BE THE CONGREGATION OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE. ALL OCCURRENCES
SEEMED TO BE EXPLAINED BY THE HISTORICAL FACTS VICKY
UNCOVERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HANCOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
DON'T SING AT THE TABLE, OR YOU'LL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THE BLOODY STOPSIGN
ONE NIGHT A LONG TIME AGO THERE WAS A LITTLE BOY
WHO WANTED TO GO OUT TRICK-O-TREATING
BUT HIS MOTHER WOULD NOT LET HIM BECAUSE
THERE WAS A MANIAC ON THE LOOSE.
BUT THE BOY DECIDED TO GO OUT ANYWAY.
AFTER A WHILE THE MOTHER HAD NOT HEARD THE BOY AND
DECIDED TO GO AND CHECK ON HIM.
HE WAS NOT IN HIS ROOM AND NEITHER WAS HIS COSTUME.
THE MOTHER THEN CALLED THE POLICE AND TOLD THEM THAT
HER SON HAD GONE OUT TRICK-O-TREATING BY HIMSELF AND THAT
SHE WAS VERY WORRIED SINCE THERE WAS A MANIAC ON THE LOOSE.
THE POLICE WENT AND LOOKED FOR HIM AND WHEN THEY WERE TURNING
THE BEND, THEY SAW THE BOY'S HEAD ON THE STOPSIGN AND
BLOOD WAS DRIPPING DOWN.
THE MANIAC HAD GOTTEN THE BOY.
THE STOPSIGN IS STILL THERE AND THERE IS ALWAYS
RED STUFF THAT LOOKS AS IF WERE BLOOD THAT HAD DRIPPED.
NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THE VILLAGE CHANGES THE SIGN,
THE RED ALWAYS REAPPEARS IN THE SAME SPOT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS MY BEST FRIEND.
WE HAD GROWN UP TOGETHER IN RIVERSIDE.
Where learned: SISTER
Keyword(s): BOY SCOUT CABIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
MONK'S CASTLE
THERE IS A CASTLE LOCATED BY MY HOUSE IN ILLINOIS
WHERE MONKS USED TO LIVE.
THE CASTLE WAS BIG AND DARK AND SET IN A REMOTE AREA.
MANY KIDS LIKED TO GO THERE LATE AT NIGHT AND LOOK
IN THE WINDOWS. IT WAS SAID THAT IF ANYONE GOT CAUGHT
LOOKING IN THE WINDOWS OR TRESPASSING ON THE PREMISES
THE MONKS WOULD MAKE THEM STAY THE NIGHT AND PRAY
TO A MONK WHO WAS BURIED IN A GLASS TOMB.
THEN THE NEXT MORNING THEIR PARENTS WOULD HAVE
TO GO AND PICK THEM UP.
Submitter comment:
HE WAS A SCHOOL MATE OF MINE.
HE HEARD THE STORY FROM HIS 2 OLDER BROTHERS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; RIVERSIDE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
THE GHOSTS OF THE CIRCUS TRAIN
A LONG TIME AGO THERE WAS A CIRCUS TRAIN THAT WAS
TRAVELING TO ITS NEXT SHOWPLACE.
THE TRAIN SOMEHOW DERAILED. ALL OF THE CIRCUS WORKERS
AND ANIMALS WERE KILLED. THEY WERE BURIED IN A NEARBY
CEMETERY. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF YOU GO THERE LATE
AT NIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THE CIRCUS PEOPLE AND ANIMALS
WANDERING AROUND. OR, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HEARD THE
SOUNDS OF A TRAIN AND ANIMALS SUCH AS ELEPHANTS.
Submitter comment: HE WAS A SCHOOLMATE OF MINE.
Where learned: OLDER BROTHER ; DRIVING AROUND TOWN
Keyword(s): CIRCUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 00-00-1980
THE GHOST LOOKING FOR HER GRAVE
THERE IS JEWISH CEMETERY BY MY HOUSE THAT WAS MOVED YEARS
AGO SO THAT A NEW HIGHWAY COULD BE BUILT. THEY DUG EVEYTHING UP
AND MOVED IT ABOUT A MILE BACK. THE HIGHWAY WAS BUILT AS
PLANNED. AFTER THE HIGHWAY WAS BUILT, MANY PEOPLE
BEGAN TO SEE THE IMAGE OF A YOUNG WOMAN WALKING THE HIGHWAY.
THIS SAME WOMAN WAS ALSO SEEN WALKING AROUND WHERE THE GRAVE
NOW IS. IT WAS SAID THAT THE YOUNG WOMAN MUST HAVE BEEN
BURIED IN THE CEMETERY AND LOST HER GRAVE WHEN THEY
MOVED THE CEMETERY. SHE NOW WANDERS AROUND LOOKING FOR
HER GRAVE.
Submitter comment:
HE SAID THAT THE STORY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME
AND THAT A CLOSE FRIEND OF HIS HAS EVEN SEEN THE GHOST.
Where learned: ILLINOIS
Keyword(s): LOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1972 ; 10-00-1987
BELIEF IN VAMPIRES IN CHINA
WHEN A PERSON IN CHINA DIES, RICE IS SCATTERED AT THE
GRAVESITE. IF THE DEAD PERSON IS A VAMPIRE, HE/SHE
MUST COUNT THE PELLETS OF RICE. NO ONE KNOWS WHY THIS
IS.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED OF THE BELIEF FROM AN UNCLE.
Where learned: RELATIVE IN OHIO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 11-00-1987
HOLD YOUR BREATH WHEN PASSING A CEMETERY SO YOU DON'T END
UP BURIED THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974 ; 11-00-1987
IN JAPAN IT IS CONSIDERED INCREDIBLEY RUDE TO WALK AND EAT AT THE
SAME TIME, BUT IT IS A NATURAL PAST TIME TO SPIT IN THE STREETS,
SO COMMON IN FACT, THAT AMERICANS ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THE
GROUND, WATCHING WHERE THEY WALK.
Where learned: JAPAN
I WAS OVER MY COUSIN'S HOUSE EATING PIZZA
AND I GOT INDIGESTION VERY BAD, SO BAD
THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE ME BACK TO MY GRAND-
MOTHER'S HOUSE. WHEN I STEPPED INTO THE HOUSE
THE PAIN WENT AWAY LIKE MAGIC. I THINK IT
WAS BECAUSE MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WAS SO
FULL OF GOD AND RELIGION THAT GOD TOOK THE
PAIN AWAY.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER IS VERY GOOD AND RELIGIOUS
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curer |
SNEEZING FOUR TIMES BEFORE BREAKFAST MEANS THAT COMPANY IS COMING.
Submitter comment: MAGIC NUMBER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
Date learned: 00001930S CA. ; 11001987 CA.
IF STRANDS OF LONG HAIR SEPARATE WHILE BRUSHING, SOMEONE CLOSE
TO YOU WILL DEPART (DIE).
Submitter comment:
LEARNED AT A SUMMER ETHNIC CAMP
A LIST OF ITEMS COMPILED BY THE CAMP DIRECTOR BUT LOST BY
THE INFORMANT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-00-1975
WHEN COOKING SOMETHING IN A WELL GREASED PAN, AND SINGLE; IF YOU
HAVE TO SCRAPE THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN YOU WILL NOT MARRY FOR
AT LEAST A YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER A NATIVE YUGOSLAVIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
EACH STATE IN INDIA SPEAKS A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE
WERE BELIEVED TO BE SETTLERS AFTER THE TOWER OF BABEL DISASTER.
Submitter comment:
EACH STATE IN INDIA HAS A SEPARATE LANGUAGE BUT EACH SPEAKS
ENGLISH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK TO CUT A YOUNG BLACK CHILD'S HAIR.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
IF YOU SPEAK BADLY OF A PERSON, KNOCK ON WOOD IMMEDIATELY AND
NO ONE WILL SPEAK BADLY OF YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-12-1987