Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DEATH
NEVER WASTE COFFEE GROUNDS ON THE FLOOR. IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE
WILL DIE
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): SPILL
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA11001973
COMBING HAIR
IF TWO PEOPLE COMB IN THE SAME PERSONS' HAIR AT THE SAME TIME THE
YOUNGEST WILL DIE FIRST.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
OMEN
IF YOU DROP A FORK YOU CAN EXPECT COMPANY FOR DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
OMEN
IF YOU FIND A STRING ON YOUR CLOTHES YOU ARE GOING TO GET A SURPRISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
DEATH
SHOOTING STARS MEAN THAT SOMEONE HAS JUST DIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
OMENS
A COMET OR METEOR INDICATES APPROACHING DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Comet BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
AN OLD NEGRO SUPERSTITION FROM THE SOUTH IS THAT IF YOU CATCH A
SPIDER HANGING FROM THE CEILING WITH YOUR POCKETBOOK, YOU HAVE
MONEY COMING YOUR WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ARACHNID
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-02-1972
A SUPERSTITION I REMEMBER IS WHEN A FALLING STAR FALLS TOWARD A
DWELLING, IT MEANS SOMEONE WILL DIE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
A SUPERSTITION WE HAVE COME ACROSS IS IF A WILD BIRD IS IN YOUR
HOUSE, IT MEANS DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
IF A BIRD FROM THE OUTSIDE COMES INTO YOUR HOUSE, YOU WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.3 |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
A HOWLING DOG AT NIGHT TOWARDS A CERTAIN HOUSE DENOTES DEATH FOR
SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
WHEN YOU CUT A DECK OF CARDS AND THE ACE OF SPADES SHOWS UP, THIS
SIGNIFIES DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
WHEN A SLIP IS SHOWING, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE GIRL IS LOOKING FOR
A HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): UNDERWEAR
| Subject headings: | Observation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms BELIEF -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
TRIP
IF YOU TRIP IN CHURCH YOU WILL NOT GET MARRIED THAT YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions |
Date learned: 11-19-1972
BIRDS
IF A BIRD FLIES INTO YOUR HOUSE THERE IS GOING TO BE A DEATH IN THE
FAMILY
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-03-1972
IF YOUR LEFT FOOT ITCHES YOU'LL SOON GO ON A SAD TRIP.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SOON SHAKE HANDS WITH A STRANGER.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF YOUR LEFT EYE JUMPS IT MEANS YOU WILL BE MAD BEFORE THE DAY IS
OVER.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANGER ; RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF HAND ITCHES
ACCORDING TO INFORMANT, IF THE PALM OF THE HAND ITCHES, THEN THAT
PERSON WILL BE COMING INTO MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
BABY PREDICTION
THIS BELIEF CONCERNS THE ABILITY TO PREDICT WHAT A MOTHER'S NEXT
CHILD WILL BE. IF THE YOUNGEST CHILD SAYS "MAMA" FIRST, THE NEXT
CHILD WILL BE A GIRL. IF THE YOUNGEST CHILD SAYS "PAPA" FIRST, THE
NEXT CHILD WILL BE A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
Date learned: 10-30-1972