Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.9 returned 62 results.
BIRTH
PREDICTING THE DUE DATE FOR THE EXPECTED CHILD, AN INDIAN WOULD
COUNT NINE FULL MOONS TILL DUE DATE.
IN STEAD OF THE NORMAL WAY OF PREDICTING THE DUE DATE FOR THE
EXPECTED CHILD, AN INDIAN WOULD COUNT NINE FULL MOONS TILL DUE DATE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): MEDICINE MAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Number P686.3.9 |
Date learned: 11-18-1969
DEATH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU GO TO COMMUNION ON NINE FRIDAYS IN A ROW, THEN YOU WILL
HAVE A HAPPY DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS AROUND 1910 IN POLAND. SHE IS VERY
RELIGIOUS AND PLACED HIGH REGARD ON THIS CUSTOM. PERHAPS NINE IS
A LUCKY NUMBER AND ACTS AS A MEDIUM FOR A GOOD DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
CHRISTMAS EVE SUPERSTITION
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER WAS A SEVEN, NINE, OR ELEVEN COURSE MEAL. IN
NO CASE MUST THERE BE AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. OTHER-
WISE, SOME OF THE FEASTERS WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER WASN'T A VERY FOND BELIEVER OF SUPERSTITIONS, BUT
SHE SAW TO IT THAT AN EVEN NUMBER OF GUESTS WERE PRESENT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00-00-1940
MACEDONIAN GREEK ORTHODOX FUNERAL
THE FUNERAL CEREMONY OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX IS MUCH LIKE ANY
OTHER RELIGION ITSELF, BUT MANY SYMBOLS ARE USED. THE PALLBEARERS
MUST WEAR WHITE GLOVES SO THEY DO NOT
STAIN THE SOUL OF THE DEAD PERSON
WHEN THE PROCESSION GETS TO THE CEMETERY EVERYONE IS GIVEN A CANDLE,
THE SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LIFE. THE PALLBEARERS ARE GIVEN THREE
REMEMBRANCES OF THE DECEASED LIKE A PAIR
OF SOCKS, A PITCHER, AND A TOWEL
ALSO AT THE CEMETERY THEY EAT BREAD AND
DRINK WINE. THE BROTHERS OF THE
DECEASED CAN NOT SHAVE FOR SIX WEEKS AFTER
THE DEATH BECAUSE THE SHAVINGS
WILL FALL IN THE EYES OF THE DEAD PERSON
AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE
THE GATES OF HEAVEN.
THE PALLBEARERS AND FAMILY MUST MEET AT THE
CEMETARY THREE, SIX, NINE, AND
TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PERSON.
AND THEN EACH YEAR AFTER
AS LONG AS THE MOTHER WANTS. AT EACH
MEETING THE PALLBEARERS ARE AGAIN GIVEN
SOME ARTICLES IN REMEMBRANCE AND BREAD AND WINE IS HAD. ALSO
EACH PERSON IS GIVEN A CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
Date learned: 00-00-1979
MY FRIEND JOE BELIEVES THAT IF HE CAN COUNT 9 STARS ON 9 SUCCESSIVE
NIGHTS, ON THE 9TH NIGHT THE GIRL HE DREAMS OF WILL BECOME HIS WIFE.
Submitter comment:
JOE LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM HIS SISTER WHEN HE WAS A CHILD. ONE
WOULD THINK THIS BELIEF ORIGINATED IN A CLOUDY CLIMATE, BECAUSE IT
WOULD BE EASY TO DO IN A NICE WEATHER AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 00-00-1964 ; 00-00-1976
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
SUPERSTITION
ON AN ENGLISH PAPER THE INFORMANT STATED THAT IN HER
NEIGHBORHOOD IT IS AN ESTABLISHED BELIEF THAT "A GIRL
CANNOT GET PREGNANT UNTIL SHE HAS HAD SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE AT LEAST NINE TIMES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
A DEMON HAS TWO FORMS, A SPIRITUAL LIFEFORCE, AND A
MATERIAL FORM, THE ONE THAT IS VISIBLE TO HUMANS. THERE
ARE TWO WAYS THAT A DEMON CAN BE DESTROYED WHILE IT IS
NOT IN HELL.
THE FIRST WAY IS TO DESTROY ITS MATERIAL FORM. THIS
CAN BE DONE WITH ANY AVAILABLE WEAPONS. ONCE THE MATERIAL
FORM IS UNABLE TO FUNCTION, THE DEMON'S LIFEFORCE RETURNS TO
HELL. A MINOR DEMON WILL SUFFER TORMENT FOR NINE YEARS
BEFORE RETURNING TO ITS ORIGINAL STATUS. A GREATER DEMON
WILL BE CONFINED TO A CERTAIN PLACE IN HELL FOR NINE YEARS
AND FURY IN HELL IS UNMATCHED DURING THAT PERIOD.
THE SECOND WAY TO DESTROY A DEMON IS TO DESTROY IT
PERMANENTLY, BOTH MATERIAL FORM AND LIFEFORCE. THIS
CAN BE DONE BY PLUNGING A SWORD OF IRON OR SILVER INTO
THE ENERGY CENTER OF THE DEMON'S BODY. THIS DESTROYS
THE DEMON PERMANENTLY, SHATTERING ITS LIFEFORCE INTO
NONEXISTENCE. THE ENERGY CENTER OF THE BODY IS
LOCATED JUST BELOW THE STERNUM.
A CRUCIFIX WILL WARD OFF A DEMON UNTIL IT RECOVERS
FROM THE INITIAL SHOCK OF SEEING IT. HOLY WATER
CAUSES SEVERE BURNS, AND DISABLES THE DEMON TEMPORARILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NORTH BRANCH
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 10-00-1987 ; 11-00-1987
TO CURE HICCUPS, SWALLOW NINE SIPS OF WATER WHILE HOLDING
YOUR BREATH.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS IN ELEMENTARY OR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, I HAVE
ALWAYS USED THIS TO REMEDY MY HICCUPS. IT ALWAYS WORKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NORTHVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001970S
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, A SPECIAL DINNER IS SERVED. YOU MUST
EAT NINE DIFFERENT FOODS, NONE OF WHICH COULD BE MEAT.
SOME OF THIS FOOD MUST BE LEFT OVERNIGHT FOR THE CHRIST
CHILD.
Submitter comment: THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE AN ITALIAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
THERE IS AN OLD WIVES' TALE THAT SAYS THAT WHEN A WOMAN IS
IN THE PROCESS OF GIVING BIRTH TO A CHILD THE ANGEL OF
DEATH CIRCLES HER BED NINE TIMES. ONCE FOR EVERY MONTH OF
HER PREGNANCY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): PREGNANCY SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine Favorites BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001950CA
A pregnant beautician will make your hair grow during the middle
months of the pregnancy and fall out at the end.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATION
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Cure for worms in children
Take a sugar cube and place 9 drops of turpentine on the cube
and give it to the child.
James Callow comment:
Puckett, Ohio, no. 12743: "For worms, take a drop or two of
turpentine on some sugar (M.F., F, 70, store mgr., Welsh-Ir.-
Ger., Summit, 1956."
Vance Randolph, "Ozark Superstitions" (1947), p. 120:
"Physicians in the Ozark towns have remarked upon the practice of
giving turpentine as a worm medicine. Turpentine is still
administered by many yarb doctors and granny-women, large doses
being given to small children. The stuff may eliminate the
worms, but it seems to be bad for the children's kidneys. A lot
of little children in the Ozarks die of nephritis, and the M.D.'s
say that neph
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine Favorites BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1951
IF A PERSON KILLS A CAT FOR ANY REASON, NINE GENERATIONS
OF HIS FAMILY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER SISTER-IN-LAW
WHO WAS BORN IN ITALY AND PROBABLY RECEIVING SUCH
A WARNING FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNGSTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-11-1965
TAKE A PEA POD AND PLACE IT OVER THE DOOR. THE PEA
POD MUST HAVE NINE PEAS IN IT. THE FIRST MALE THAT
WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR, ASK HIS NAME. THE NAME
OF THAT MAN WILL HAVE THE SAME NAME AS THE MAN
YOU WILL MARRY.
Submitter comment:
HER COUSIN TOLD HER THIS BUT SHE STATES THAT YOU
MUST BELIEVE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
TO CURE A SPELL BATHS IN HOT LYE SOLUTION EVERY EVENING
AND MORNING BATHS IN ICE WATER MUST BE TAKEN FOR NINE
DAYS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
NO MATTER WHEN A DOCTOR SAYS A BABY IS DUE, THAT BABY WILL BE
BORN AFTER EXACTLY NINE FULL MOONS. YOU CAN BET ON IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WARTRACE
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 06-18-1972
NINE GRAINS OF WHEAT LAID ON A FOUR-LEAF CLOVER ENABLES ONE
TO SEE THE FAIRIES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters 686 Ninths / Nine Spirit / Mind / Body Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH, TAKE NINE STEPS BACKWARD.
Where learned: PARIS ; TENNESSEE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-20-1970