Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P578.4 returned 162 results.
Every New Year's Eve cook cabbage with dimes stuffed
in it so it will bring you good luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
If your right hand itches you will be getting money
soon.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 00001988 ca
On New Year's Day, Keith's grandfather gives everyone in
the family a silver dollar to signify a prosperous new year.
It is bad luck to start the year off poor.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
Never set your purse on the floor because if you do
you will never have much money.
Where learned: ALABAMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
If you find a penny pick it up if the head side is up,
because that is good luck. However, if the tail side
is up do not pick it up because that is bad luck.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; VENICE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck Money BELIEF -- Bad luck Money |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
Giving knives is bad luck unless you include
some money, usually a small amount.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001960S
Giving knives as a present is bad luck unless
the person who receives them pays the giver,
usually a penny.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001960S
Good and Bad Luck
If you find a penny with tails side up, don't pick it
up because it's bad luck. It is only lucky if it is
heads side up.
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001972CA
IF A PERSON HAS ITCHY PALMS, HE IS GOING TO COME INTO MONEY.
THIS MEANS THE PALMS OF THE HANDS. THE PERSON WILL GET
MONEY WITHOUT HAVING TO WORK FOR IT, IT MAY BE A PRIZE
OR AN INHERITANCE OR MONEY THAT IS FOUND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Hand ; Inherit ; INHERITANCE ; ITCH ; Itchy ; MONEY ; Palm ; PREDICTION ; SIGN ; Windfall
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 00001976CA
IF A LADY LEAVES HER PURSE ON THE FLOOR, SHE WILL END UP WITH
NO MONEY. LADIES SHOULD NEVER LEAVE THEIR PURSES ON THE FLOOR
THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PUT THEM ON A TABLE OR CHAIR, OR ELSE THEY
WILL HAVE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION ; Unnatural act
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001980CA
IF ONE EXPERIENCES REPEATED ITCHINESS OF THE PALMS,
IT IS A SURE SIGN THAT UNEXPECTED MONEY WILL BE RECEIVED.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; SPLASHDAM
Keyword(s): ITCH
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001930ca
Good Luck
Standing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean just before
sunrise can put you in a great state of mind and can bring
you a world of good luck. If you then take a quarter out
of your pocket
and throw it out into the ocean as far as you can it will
bring you 25 days of good luck. This all must be done before
the sun rises.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; FORT LAUDERDALE
Keyword(s): Buying luck
James Callow Keyword(s): East ; POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Asking for money from a stranger and getting it can prove
to be rewarding for the man or woman who has given the
money out. For the reason being that "Good Luck" will
follow him or her for the rest of the day.
Submitter comment:
My father seemed very optimistic when he was telling me
this story.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
Keyword(s): money, green
James Callow Keyword(s): donor
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
If you find a penny and the front is facing
upwards then it will bring you good luck.
If the back is facing upwards then it will
bring you bad luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
A woman should never place her purse on the floor or she will
never receive any money.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned this from an older woman while she was
attending church. She also said that the older woman was
clutching her purse in her lap as if she fully believed this
to be true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; Taboo ; Unnatural place
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 03-00-1991
Money makes everything legitimate, even bastards.
Submitter comment:
This Jewish proverb is shared among Jews as a
humorous excuse as to why they do "anything" for money.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; DelRay Beach
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001960S
A jar of pennies in the kitchen brings good luck.
Submitter comment: Her mom has always had one there.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): COINS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
Turn a piece of silver in your pocket upon seeing
a full moon & your wish will come true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- P753 |
Date learned: 00001980S
Put the first money you receive each day into an
empty pocket; it will attract more coins.
Submitter comment:
In English market places this custom is still very
popular; that original coin is called handsel.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
James Callow Keyword(s): Pilot
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Seeing someone in polka dot clothing brings you money.
Submitter comment:
Polka dots look like coins, so if you make that
connection, you will get money.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE ILE
Keyword(s): shape size
James Callow Keyword(s): design pattern
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001970S