Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P437 returned 129 results.
SUPERSTITION
ONE OF THE WORST THINGS ANYONE COULD DO
TO INCUR THE HAND OF FATE
IS TO CUT ONE'S HAIR AND THROW IT AWAY.
HAIR DISCARDED IN THIS MANNER WILL BE PICKED UP BY BIRDS
WHO WILL MAKE A NEST OF IT AND DRIVE THE FORMER OWNER INSANE.
SHORN HAIR MUST BE KEPT INDEFINITELY
OR BURNED TO AVOID THE LOSS OF ONE'S MIND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
GHOST IN WHITE
A WOMAN IN WHITE ROAMS THE WOODS OF BELLE ISLE PARK NEAR DOWNTOWN
DETROIT WITH A HOOK-HANDED FRIEND. THIS STORY HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR YEARS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEWSPAPER ; DETROIT FREE PRESS
Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; GHOST ; Haunting ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-27-1968
LEGEND OF THE MAD MAN.
IN MY CHILDHOOD, I SPENT TWO WEEKS AT THE BOYS' CLUB CAMP
FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS. EVERY STAY WAS OCCASIONED BY THE
RUMOR THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO WALK IN CAMP ALONE AT NIGHT
BECAUSE A MAN HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY MENTAL
INSTITUTION OR JAIL (IT VARIED) AND
THE CONVICT DID NOT LIKE LITTLE BOYS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Escaped ; Institution ; JAIL ; Legend ; Mad Man ; Mental Institution ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PLAY YOUR HUNCH. ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ; GOOD LUCK: HUMAN BEINGS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
IF YOU TOUCH A HUNCHBACK'S HUMP IT BRINGS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS MANY YEARS AGO AND CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 08-09-1964
BELIEF
IF YOU SING WHILE YOU EAT, YOU WILL HAVE A CRAZY (MAN OR
WOMAN) FOR A (HUSBAND OR WIFE).
Submitter comment:
SINGING AND EATING IS AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION,
THEREFORE, SOMETHING UNUSUAL SHOULD HAPPEN TO THE
ONE PERFORMING THE ACTS TOGETHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL KISS A FOOL.
Submitter comment:
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL PROBABLY SCRATCH IT AND LOOK A
LITTLE SILLY. THEREFORE, SINCE YOU LOOK FOOLISH, YOU WILL
PROBABLY HAVE SOME CONTACT WITH A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-10-1977
BELIEF
A GIRL WHO SINGS AT THE TABLE WILL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THIS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
COMMON WORD
MASHUGANAH
Submitter comment: IT IS A YIDDISH TERM FOR A CRAZY PERSON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Common Word |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
REMEDY
I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER CURING A YOUNG CHILD OF A FEAR. IT'S A
RITUAL. WHEN A CHILD IS AFRAID OF SOMETHING, YOU GET SOME WHITE ROCK.
IT'S A SOFT ROCK, I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. THE ROCK IS PUT INTO A
SKILLET AND HEATED. AS IT HEATS, IT SOFTENS, AND IT WILL FORM INTO A
FIGURE OF WHAT THE CHILD IS AFRAID OF. THE FEAR IS REMOVED FROM THE
CHILD THIS WAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION DIVINATION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; MEXICAN-AMERICAN CURE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU SPIN A CHAIR AROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR
SOMEONE WILL GO CRAZY.
Submitter comment:
HERE, A COMPARISON WAS MADE BETWEEN A SPINNING CHAIR AND A SPINNING
MIND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LUNCHROOM
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-14-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF BIRDS GET SOME OF YOUR HAIR YOU'LL GO CRAZY.
Submitter comment:
THE REASONING BEHIND THIS BELIEF WAS THE FACT THAT ONE'S HAIR
IS A PART OF ONE'S HEAD, THEREFORE, POSSESSION BY BIRDS WOULD
GIVE ONE THE MENTALITY OF BIRDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK ; FRIENDS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
DON'T MARRY A BROTHER OR SISTER OF A DEAD MATE. IF YOU DO THE
CHILDREN WILL BE BORN DEFORMED IN SOME WAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS TOLD THIS TO HER CHILDREN AND WAS QUICK TO
POINT OUT EXAMPLES AMONG FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00-00-1949
PROVERB
SING AT THE DINNER TABLE AND YOU WILL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): FUNCTION.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
PROVERB
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU'LL KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
POLICE MOON BELIEF
MANY DETROIT POLICE OFFICERS BELIEVE THAT RECKLESS DRIVING,
ROWDYISM AND VANDALISM INCREASE ON NIGHTS WITH A FULL MOON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; POLICE DEPARTMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF A GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE SHE WILL HAVE A CRAZY HUSBAND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
ON KISSING
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU'RE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS PROVERB FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; YPSILANTI
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Dreams P841.72 SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-13-1967
EXPLANATION OF CHILD DEFORMITIES
IF A CHILD IS BORN DEFORMED IT IS BELIEVED THAT HIS FATHER IS AN
ALCOHOLIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
SUPERSTITION
IF ONE OF MY BROTHERS FOOLED AROUND AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, MY FATHER
WOULD SAY THAT HE WOULD MARRY A CRAZY WIFE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER ALWAYS PREFERRED PEACE AND QUIET, AND THIS BELIEF
WAS PROBABLY USED TO ASSURE SILENCE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE YOU'LL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Submitter comment:
SYD'S GRANDMA TOLD HER THIS ONE WHILE AT THE DINNER TABLE. I THINK
IT ORIGINATES FROM THE VICTORIAN ERA WHEN SILENCE AT MOST OCCASIONS
WAS EXPECTED FROM CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 00-00-1950