Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P438.21 returned 213 results.
BABY BELIEF
NEVER CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS ONE YEAR OLD OR
HE WILL BE A THIEF.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
PROVERB
THE EYES FRIGHTEN YOU, BUT THE HANDS ARE THE WORKER.
Submitter comment:
THIS SEEMS TO NEED SOME EXPLANATION: JUST LOOKING AT A FIELD READY
FOR HARVEST MAY BE FRIGHTENING, HOWEVER WHEN YOU GET RIGHT DOWN TO
WORKING IT ISN'T SO BAD.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; INDUSTRIOUSNESS?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE WHO LAYS A HAND ON HIS PARENTS LOSES THAT HAND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONLY THE FINGERS OF A BABY CAN TIE A UNITING KNOT THAT WILL PULL
TWO FAMILIES TOGETHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN ASHIYA, JAPAN
Data entry tech comment:
THE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THE INFORMATION WAS
RECEIVED IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
JAMAICAN CEMETERY BELIEF
YOU MUST NEVER POINT AT A GRAVEYARD OR YOUR FINGER WILL FALL OFF.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
SLOVAK FUNERAL CUSTOM
AFTER COMING BACK FROM A FUNERAL TOUCH A STOVE, WASH YOUR HANDS,
AND SAY "GO TO HEAVEN".
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
DURING STRENUOUS PRACTICE SESSIONS OR DURING GAMES, PARTICIPATING
BASKETBALL PLAYERS NEVER DRINK WATER. THEY FEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE
THEIR STOMACHS TO BE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR
PLAY. INSTEAD THEY COOL OFF BY POURING A STEADY STREAM OF COLD WATER
ON THEIR WRISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; SPORTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE HOOKED HAND
A GUY AND HIS GIRL WERE PARKED IN HIS CAR IN A DESERTED AREA.
LISTENING TO THE RADIO, THEY HEARD A GUY HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY
INSANE ASYLUM. THE ESCAPEE HAD A HOOK FOR ONE OF HIS HANDS. THE
GIRL GOT REALLY SCARED AND SAID SHE WANTED TO LEAVE. HER BOYFRIEND
SAID NO, EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. SHE INSISTED AGAIN AND AGAIN HE SAID
NO. ON MORE TIME SHE SAID' "COME ONE, I,M REALLY SCARED." HER
BOYFRIEND GOT REALLY MAD, JAMMED ON THE CAR AND THE CAR JERKED OFF.
WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED OVER TO
HER SIDE TO OPEN HER DOOR. HANGING FROM THE DOOR HANDLE ON HER
DOOR WAS A HOOK.
Submitter comment:
EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY DOZENS OF TIMES, IT NEVER FAILS TO
TERRIFY ME. AS I TYPE THIS I AM LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THREE REQUESTS FROM GIRL
Date learned: CA00001967
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU STRIKE YOUR FATHER,
YOUR HAND WILL GROW OUT OF YOUR GRAVE,
ATTEMPTING TO SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
POST DEATH BELIEF
IT IS SAID THAT IF A PERSON STRIKES HIS PARENT
AT SOME TIME IN HIS LIFE
THE HAND WHICH IS USED WILL STICK OUT OF THE GRAVE AFTER DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-29-1969
FINGER NAILS
IF WHITE MARKS APPEAR ON YOUR FINGERNAILS
YOUVE BEEN TELLING LIES.
Submitter comment:
IF SHE SEES A LOT OF WHITE MARKS ON YOUR NAILS
SHE'LL SAY "YOU'VE BEEN TELLING A LIE"
AND ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT A FEW THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON, SHE SAID SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE WITH
WHITE MARKS ON THEIR NAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS A YEAR OLD, THE BABY WILL HAVE
POOR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; LINCOLNSHIRE
Keyword(s): HIDDEN CONNECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-14-1971
FINGERNAILS
IF YOU GROW AN INCH LONG FINGERNAIL
YOU CAN SELL IT TO REVLON FOR $25.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
IT IS A BAD SIGN IF YOUR FINGERNAILS CURVE
OVER THE ENDS OF YOUR FINGERS.
YOU WILL DIE OF CONSUMPTION.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
BELIEF
LITTLE WHITE BRUISES UNDER YOUR NAILS ARE BEAUTY MARKS.
Submitter comment:
CHRIS LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER. SINCE THEY ARE OF POLISH DESCENT,
IT IS A POLISH BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
IF YOU BITE YOUR FINGERNAILS, YOU WILL GROW HORNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 09-26-1970
SUPERSTITION
DON'T CUT YOUR FINGERNAILS ON SUNDAY, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU WILL DO
SOMETHING YOU'LL BE ASHAMED OF BEFORE THE WEEK IS OVER-
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): SABBATH WORK TABU
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-02-1969
SIGN OF A LIAR
IF THE PART OF YOUR FINGERNAIL AT THE BASE IS VERY LARGE,
THEN YOU ARE APT TO LIE A LOT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PREDICTION
CUT YOUR NAILS ON MONDAY, CUT THEM FOR NEWS.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON TUESDAY, A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON WEDNESDAY, CUT THEM FOR HEALTH.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON THURSDAY, CUT THEM FOR WEALTH.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON FRIDAY, CUT THEM FOR WOE.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON SATURDAY, A JOURNEY TO GO.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON SUNDAY, CUT THEM FOR EVIL,
FOR ALL THE NEXT WEEK YOU'LL BE RULED BY THE DEVIL.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
EATING A LOAF OF BREAD WILL MAKE YOUR FINGERNAILS GROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 11-18-1971