Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P883 returned 103 results.
IF YOU SPILL SALT THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
SPILLING SALT IS BAD LUCK. IF YOU DO, YOU SHOULD
SHAKE SOME SALT OVER YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER TO REINSTATE
YOUR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WHITMORE LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-24-1988
If you are having trouble selling your house, bury a
statue of St. Joseph, head-down and facing the rear of
the house, until your house is sold. Afterwards you
dig the statue up and permanently display it in a place
of honor in your new home.
Submitter comment:
This belief was heard from Maryann's sister, Leda, who
was having trouble selling her condominium. Leda's real
estate agent suggested that she try this. Within the
month Leda's condo was sold, and now the statue of St.
Joseph is on the mantlepiece of her new home. This
superstition is, evidently, very widely held by Italians.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Rogers Park
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Good luck Objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
If you say a prayer to St. Anthony when you lose something,
he will help you to find it.
Submitter comment:
Mrs. Leisner really believes this to be true. Many times
as a young girl I witnessed my mother performing this
ritual, and even now we always know when she has lost
something when we hear her say "St. Anthony help me!"
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LEXINGTON
Keyword(s): intercession
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001930S
IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET WITH A BROOM, YOU WILL HAVE
TO GO TO JAIL, OR BREAK THE LAW AND BE CAUGHT BY AN
OFFICER WHEN YOU DO IT. TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING OR
COUNTER IT, YOU ARE TO LOOK AT THE BROOM WITH YOUR LEFT
EYE CLOSED AND SPIT ON THE BROOM BRISTLES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; RIPLEY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions |
When going over railroad tracks you should lift your
feet up off the floor, hold your breath, and touch a
screw all at the same time. This wards off bad luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001988 ca
If you accidentally spill salt on the table,
you should sprinkle it over your left shoulder
for good luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P479 BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001970S
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
THERE WAS A HOLE, THERE WAS A HOLE, A PRETTY LITTLE HOLE, A
PRETTY LITTLE HOLE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER
DID SEE. OH! THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND AND THE GREEN
GRASS GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND THE GREEN GRASS GREW
ALL AROUND. AND IN THAT HOLE, AND IN THAT HOLE, THERE
WAS SOME DIRT, THERE WAS SOME DIRT, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE
DIRT, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE DIRT, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE,
THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH! THE DIRT WAS IN THE HOLE, AND
THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL
AROUND AND AROUND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. AND
IN THAT DIRT, AND IN THAT DIRT, THERE WAS SOME ROOTS,
THERE WAS SOME ROOTS, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE ROOTS, THE
PRETTIEST LITTLE ROOTS, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER,
DID SEE. OH! THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT, THE DIRT WAS IN
THE HOLE AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND AND THE GREEN GRASS
GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND.
AND ON THOSE ROOTS, AND ON THOSE ROOTS, THERE WAS A TREE,
THERE WAS A TREE, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE TREE, THE PRETTIEST
LITTLE TREE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE.
OH! THE TREE WAS ON THE ROOTS, THE ROOTS WERE IN THE
DIRT, THE DIRT WAS IN HOLE AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE
GROUND AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND
THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. AND ON THAT TREE,
AND ON THAT TREE, THERE WAS A BRANCH, THERE WAS A
BRANCH, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE BRANCH, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE,
BRANCH, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH!
THE BRANCH WAS ON THE TREE, THE TREE WAS ON THE ROOTS,
THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT, THE DIRT WAS IN THE
HOLE AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND AND THE GREEN GRASS
GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL
AROUND. AND ON THAT BRANCH, AND ON THAT BRANCH, THERE
WAS SOME LEAVES, THERE WAS SOME LEAVES, THE PRETTIEST
LITTLE LEAVES, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE LEAVES, THAT YOU EVER
DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH! THE LEAVES WERE ON
THE BRANCH, THE BRANCH WAS ON THE TREE, THE TREE
WAS ON THE ROOTS, THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT, THE
DIRT WAS IN THE HOLE, AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND AND
THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN
GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. AND ON THOSE LEAVES, AND ON THOSE
LEAVES, THERE WAS A NEST, THERE WAS A NEST, THE PRETTIEST
LITTLE NEST, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE NEST, THAT YOU EVER DID
SEE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH! THE NEST WAS ON THE
LEAVES, THE LEAVES ON THE BRANCH, THE BRANCH ON THE TREE,
THE TREE ON THE ROOTS, THE ROOTS IN THE DIRT, THE DIRT IN
THE HOLE, AND THE HOLE IN THE GROUND, AND THE GREEN GRASS
GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL
AROUND. AND IN THAT NEST, AND IN THAT NEST, THERE WAS
AN EGG, THERE WAS AN EGG, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE EGG, THE
PRETTIEST LITTLE EGG, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER
DID SEE. OH! THE EGG WAS IN THE NEST, THE NEST WAS ON THE
LEAVES, THE LEAVES WERE ON THE BRANCH, THE BRANCH WAS ON THE
TREE, THE TREE WAS ON THE ROOTS, THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT,
THE DIRT WAS IN THE HOLE, AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND,
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN
GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. AND ON THAT EGG, AND ON THAT EGG,
THERE WAS A BIRD, THERE WAS A BIRD, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE
BIRD, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE BIRD, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE,
THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH! THE BIRD WAS ON THE EGG, THE
EGG WAS IN THE NEST, THE NEST WAS ON THE LEAVES, THE
LEAVES WERE ON THE BRANCH, THE BRANCH WAS ON THE TREE,
THE TREE WAS ON THE ROOTS, THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT,
THE DIRT WAS IN THE HOLE, AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND,
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN
GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. AND ON THAT BIRD, AND ON THAT BIRD,
THERE WAS SOME FEATHERS, THERE WAS SOME FEATHERS, THE
PRETTIEST LITTLE FEATHERS, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE FEATHERS,
THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH! THE
FEATHERS WERE ON THE BIRD, THE BIRD WAS ON THE EGG, THE
EGG WAS IN THE NEST, THE NEST WAS ON THE LEAVES, THE
LEAVES WERE ON THE BRANCH, THE BRANCH WAS ON THE TREE,
THE TREE WAS ON THE ROOTS, THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT,
THE DIRT WAS IN THE HOLE, AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND,
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE
GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. AND ON THOSE FEATHERS,
AND ON THOSE FEATHERS, THERE WAS A FLY, THERE WAS A
FLY, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE FLY, THE PRETTIEST LITTLE FLY,
THAT YOU EVER DID SEE, THAT YOU EVER DID SEE. OH! THE
FLY WAS ON THE FEATHERS, THE FEATHERS WERE ON THE BIRD,
THE BIRD WAS ON THE EGG, THE EGG WAS IN THE NEST, THE
NEST WAS ON THE LEAVES, THE LEAVES WERE ON THE BRANCH,
THE BRANCH WAS ON THE TREE, THE TREE WAS ON THE ROOTS,
THE ROOTS WERE IN THE DIRT, THE DIRT WAS IN THE HOLE,
AND THE HOLE WAS IN THE GROUND, AND THE GREEN GRASS
GREW ALL AROUND AND AROUND, THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL
AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
Wearing used clothes from a thrift shop may bring you either
good luck or bad luck, depending on how the original owners
conducted themselves when wearing those clothes.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
Keyword(s): Articles, Fashion
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
Don't step over someone younger than you or you will stunt his
growth. If you do, you should step back over him to reverse
the omen.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Conversions |
Sixty years ago in Ireland, children, at their
first glimpse of a full moon, were taught, in
order to escape bad luck or some dire calamity, to
use the following invocation:
"I see the moon, and the moon sees me.
God bless the moon, and God bless Me."
Submitter comment: My grandmother taught me this when I was little.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Date learned: 00001970'S
If a black cat crosses your path, cross your fingers on him
before he gets cross the path, if you don't you'll have bad luck.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
If your foot is swept over by a broom, you should spit on the
broom, and throw salt over your left shoulder, in order not to go
to jail.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
When a black cat cross your path while driving down the road,
you should turn around and go another way, because you will have
something bad to happen to you if you don't.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
You should never split a pole or a tree or anything when
walkin' with another person. It may bring you bad luck. If you do
split it, to keep you from having bad luck, you have to go back
around whatever you split the same way you came.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
If you don't care for a person, and they come to your house
and you never want them to return to your home again. You should
sprinkle salt down and sweep it out the front door.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Visitor
Date learned: 00-00-1990
Never sweep a visitors' foot with a broom. If this happens
have the person whose feet has been swept spit on the bottom of
the broom. If the person does not spit on the broom it will be
bad luck for that person.
Submitter comment:
It so happens that I was sweeping and accidently hit her
foot, she asked that I turn the broom upside down so that she
could spit on the bottom of it.
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
Brooms
It is bad luck to walk over a broom. If you do, you should
step backwards over the broom to undo the damage.
Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |