Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P533 returned 1136 results.
It is bad luck to let a female inside of your home first thing
on New Year's Day.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1951
As youngsters growing up we thought it bad luck to walk on
sidewalk squares bearing the letters "DPW" which stood for
Department of Public Walkways.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1951
DURING PROHIBITION, BOOZE SMUGGLERS WOULD
BRING LIQUOR ACROSS THE DETROIT RIVER FROM
CANADA IN BOATS. WHEN THEY WERE CROSSING
THE RIVER, THEY WOULD OPEN A BOTTLE OF BOOZE
AND POUR A DRINK. THEY WOULD DRINK HALF, AND
THEY THROW THE OVER HALF OVERBOARD. THEY
BELIEVED THIS WOULD ASSURE THEM A SAFE
JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
IF YOU ARE WALKING PAST A CATHOLIC
CHURCH AND THE BELLS ARE RINGING FOR
CONSECRATION, YOU MUST STOP AND KNEEL
ON THE SIDEWALK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER GREW UP NEAR A CATHOLIC
CHURCH IN HAMTRAMCK AND SHE TOLD ME
THAT EVERYONE FOLLOWED THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
Railroad Tracks
Lift up your feet when you cross railroad tracks, or you will lose your boyfriend.
Data entry tech comment:
Input by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; CUSTOM ; RAILROAD ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
IF THE BRIDE STEPS ON HER HUSBAND'S RIGHT FOOT DURING THE
MARRIAGE CEREMONY THAT MEANS SHE WILL BE THE BOSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 06-00-1987
When selling your house, bury a statue of St. Joseph
face down with the feet pointing towards the street.
This will make your house sell quickly.
Submitter comment:
I was told this when we were selling our house in
March, 1987. The woman that told me had done this
and her house sold immediately.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Saint
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Whenever my cousins and I would go out, no matter where, my
aunt used to tell us "Don't put up, or down with anyone."
This meant not to talk to strangers.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001930S
HOLD YOUR BREATH WHILE DRIVING BY THE CEMETERY
Submitter comment:
SO THE DEVIL WON'T TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY
OR TAKE YOUR SOUL OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
"One day two brothers were fighting and beating each
other up, almost killing each other. The neighbor saw
it and moved in to try and stop the fight. The brothers
stopped fighting and beat up the neighbor, then they went
back to fighting. Lesson: Mind your own business and
keep out of family fights."
Submitter comment:
This is a verbatim account from Maryann Leisner which
retells a story her father learned from old (Italian)
relatives.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): Fable, function, cautionary tale, warning
James Callow Keyword(s): Dramatic Irony ; Peacemaker
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND YOU GO THROUGH A RED LIGHT
YOU MUST HIT THE ROOF OF YOUR CAR WITH BOTH HANDS TO
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM GETTING A TICKET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-01-1983
WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS YOU MUST LIFT YOUR
FEET SO YOU DON'T LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-01-1990
Whenever my sister and I were driving in the car she
would always hold her breath and pick up her feet
as we drove by a cemetery. Finally I asked why she did
this and her response was that if you didn't the
spirits of all the dead people would haunt you forever.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
My sister taught me to put my finger on a screw as we
drove over a set of railroad tracks. This was so you
could get any wish of your choice. The only condition
to this was that you had to be touching the metal
part of the screw.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001977 ca
If your nose itches you will kiss someone or you
will have company.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001988 ca
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
Japanese custom
Removal of shoes when entering a home is necessary because one
may bring in bad diseases or spirits.
Where learned: JAPAN
Keyword(s): Contamination
Date learned: 00-00-1925
Chinese custom
When a family member dies, that same night two white candles
are to be lit and placed outside the front door to signal to
the deceased where to come home to.
Where learned: CHINA
Keyword(s): Deceased
Date learned: 00-00-1955
When walking down the sidewalk, don't walk on the cracks or
you will turn into the ugliest girl in the school. We used
to play this walking to elementary school.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
MRS. MOOR SAYS THAT WHEN YOU GIVE A PURSE TO
SOMEONE OR PUT ONE IN STORAGE YOU SHOULD LEAVE
A PENNY IN IT; OTHERWISE THE PURSE WILL NEVER
HOLD MONEY.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WHITE CITY
Keyword(s): GIFTS, PRESENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001975CA