Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P542 returned 854 results.
To insure that a healthy baby will be born, make a sign of the
cross on the mother's belly every day before delivery.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Birth SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
Several years ago I was told that a way to determine
the sex on an unborn child is by how much pain the
mother-to-be experiences during her nine month
pregnancy. If a woman experiences a lot of pain she
will give birth to a boy. If she experiences little
or no pain, she will give birth to a girl.
Submitter comment:
I had some doubts about this until after my sister
gave birth to her first child. She now has three kids
and went through enormous pain during each pregnancy
and as it turns out, she gave birth to three boys.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): gender
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
A PERSON BORN BEFORE NOON AND AFTER MIDNIGHT
INDICATES THRIFTINESS AND ARROGANCE WHILE A
PERSON BORN AFTER NOON AND BEFORE MIDNIGHT
INDICATES GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001980S
When my mother was growing up she lived with her
parents and her grandparents. Her grandparents
had come from Malta and still kept close ties to
the country. Hundreds of years ago the Turks
attacked Malta and destroyed almost everything.
When it rained out my mother would often see her
grandparents looking out the window. If the sun
happened to be out while it was raining they
would say, very negatively, "another Turk." In
this way she was taught that for every time it
rained while the sun was out, a Turkish child was
born and therefore it was a bad day. Because this
happens more rarely, they could be happy that there
were less Turks in the world.
Submitter comment:
This is usually said as a derogatory statement,
usually in disgust. My grandmother and mother
never say this because they believe that it is
unfair to hold this grudge today.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Birth PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00001950S
A pregnant woman should never look at a fire
burning.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940S
Before my grandmother got married she was
told that she should never love her husband
or her children more than she loved God. If
she did God might decide to take them to heaven
for himself.
Submitter comment: My grandmother is very religious.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001940S
If you see a horribly deformed or crippled
person, you should make the sign of the cross,
especially if you are pregnant.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001940S
To Increase Milk Flow
Rub castor oil on the breasts to increase milk flow
after the birth of a baby.
Submitter comment:
From the doctoring book of Florida Amanda Pearce,
last mistress of Springhill Plantation, kept
before the Civil War. (More at Informant Profile.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001940CA
Unlucky Opals
It is unlucky to wear opals, unless you were born
in October.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F100 BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Only Child
At dinner times a person can tell who an only
child is because they eat the slowest. I am an
only child and always the last to leave the table.
This was told to me by another only child.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UTICA
Date learned: 11-16-1990
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
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS CARRYING A BABY LOW, THE BABY IS A BOY.
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS CARRYING A BABY HIGH, THE BABY IS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001976CA
THE INFORMANT HEARD FROM FRIENDS IN GRADE SCHOOL THAT A GIRL
COULD BECOME PREGNANT IF SHE "MADE OUT" WITH A BOY
WHILE SHE WAS WEARING A BATHING SUIT. "MAKING OUT" MEANS
TO KISS AND GROPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001980CA
A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NEVER HANG CLOTHES OUT ON A LINE
TO DRY. IF SHE DOES THE UMBILICAL CORD WILL BECOME WOUND
AROUND THE NECK OF HER UNBORN BABY.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY STELLA ODOERFER, HIS
MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARLETTE
James Callow Keyword(s): WASHING CLOTHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001945CA
TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A PREGNANT WOMAN'S BABY, TAKE
A NEEDLE AND THREAD IT WITH A LONG PIECE OF THREAD.
HOLD IT BY THE END OF THE THREAD SO THAT THE NEEDLE CAN
SWING FREELY. HOLD IT OVER THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S BELLY.
IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A BACK AND FORTH DIRECTION THEN
THE BABY IS A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A CIRCULAR
MOTION, THEN THE BABY IS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANAPEL
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001930ca
According to an old Irish tradition, if you surround a room
with green where a baby is about to be born, you will
have a child that will be happy, healthy and prosperous.
Submitter comment: Learned this from a tour operator in Ireland.
Where learned: IRELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 07-00-1988
In Thailand it is good luck to walk under an elephant.
If a pregnant woman walks under an elephant three times
it means that her delivery will be easy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 08-00-1990
If a child is born when the sun is out and it is raining at
the same time then that child is considered a witch.
Submitter comment:
This tale was told to me when we were in Yugoslavia and the
informant's aunt had a baby. I don't know if it is of
Yugoslavian origin.
Where learned: YUGOSLAVIA ; Zagreb
Keyword(s): SIMULTANEITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
If the pregnant woman is grouchy then she is going to have a
girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
If the baby's heartbeat is strong while it is still inside
the mother that it is going to be a boy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989