Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF LOST
IF A PERSON IS LOST AND IS NOT SURE WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE, HE
SHOULD SPIT IN THE PALM OF ONE HAND, AND SLAP THE SPIT WITH THE
FIRST TWO FINGERS OF THE OTHER HAND. THEN MERELY TRAVEL IN THE
DIRECTION THAT THE SPIT FLEW. THIS METHOD WILL PUT THE PERSON IN
THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION LOCATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
BAD LUCK
ON A VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN A FEW YEARS AGO THE
INFORMANT LEARNED FROM AN ANONYMOUS PERSON THAT, "IF A FRESHMAN STEPS
ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SEAL IMPLANTED IN THE SIDEWALK AND
LOCATED IN THE CENTER CAMPUS SQUARE AND AREA, THE FRESHMAN WILL
FLUNK HIS FIRST YEAR'S EXAMS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT VISITOR?
A METHOD OF PREDICTING WHO THE NEXT VISITOR WILL BE. IF A PERSON
DROPS A FORK, HE CAN EXPECT A MAN VISITOR. IF HE DROPS A KNIFE,
HE CAN EXPECT A WOMAN VISITOR. IF HE DROPS A SPOON, HE CAN EXPECT
A CHILD VISITOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
OMEN
WHEN YOU FIND A SAFETY PIN ON THE STREET IT MEANS HAPPINESS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND SHE HOLDS IT TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
IF SHOE COMES UNTIED OR STOCKING COMES UNDONE THEN YOUR GIRL
FRIEND OR BOYFRIEND IS THINKING OF YOU.
Submitter comment:
A LINE SAID WHEN YOUR SHOE COMES UNTIED OR STOCKING COMES UN:ONE,
USUALLY RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
LUCK
IF ON YOUR WEDDING DAY THE BRIDE OR GROOM CRIES, THAT COUPLE WILL
HAVE TEARS ALL THEIR LIVES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT AS RECENTLY THE MAID OF HONOR AT A POLISH WWEDDING AT
WHICH THE BRIDE AND GROOM WERE WARNED ABOUT CRYING BY THE
BRIDE'S FATHER..
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
"IF YOU DROP A KNIFE ON THE FLOOR, COMPANY WILL COME."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-10-1972
"IF A BIRD SOMEHOW GETS INTO THE HOUSE, IT'S A SURE SIGN THAT THERE
WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-15-1972
BIRTHDAY CANDLES
ON YOUR BIRTHDAY CAKE, THE NUMBER OF
CANDLES YOU CAN'T BLOW OUT IS THE NUMBER OF
BOYFRIENDS YOU WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
LAUGH BEFORE BREAKFAST AND YOU WILL CRY BEFORE SUPPER
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS HER MOTHER TELLING HER THIS IN DETROIT DURING THE
EARLY 1930S
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; INEVITABILITY OF CHANGE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-19-1972
IF A BIRD FLIES INTO YOUR HOME A DEATH IS SOON TO COME
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER RELATED THIS TO HIM WHEN HE WAS A CHILD IN THE
YEAR 1924
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-01-960
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE; THAT MEANS SOMEBODY WILL DIE.
Submitter comment: THIS IS ANOTHER SUPERSTITION I THINK SHE BELIEVES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A BLACK DOG STANDS OUTSIDE OF A HOUSE AT NIGHT AND HOWLS; THAT
MEANS SOMEBODY HAS DIED.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID SHE WAS AFRAID MANY NIGHTS, WHEN THIS HAPPEN.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A PERSON GETS HIT WITH A BROOM THAT MEANS HE'S GOING TO JAIL.
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE BELIEVE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF SOMEONE SPILLS SALT; THAT MEANS SOMEBODY IS GOING TO FIGHT.
Submitter comment: I FIND THAT MOST BLACK PEOPLE CAN TELL THIS ONE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN A BIRD FLIES INTO A WINDOW AND IT KILLS ITSELF THE PERSON
STANDING CLOSEST TO THE WINDOW WILL HAVE A LOVED ONE DIE.
Where learned: OHIO ; LUCAS COUNTY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
BIRTH
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN HAS HEARTBURN DURING HER PREGNANCY, THE CHILD
WILL BE A GIRL. INFORMANT SAID SHE WAS ALSO TOLD THIS ONE DURING
HER FIRST PREGNANCY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
BIRTH
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN'S STOMACH IS POINTED, THE UNBORN CHILD WILL
BE A BOY. IF THE STOMACH IS FAT AND ROUND, IT WILL BE A GIRL.
INFORMANT SAID HER FATHER TOLD HER THIS WHEN SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH
HER FIRST CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
LUCK/OMEN
GOOD LUCK WILL BE YOURS IF THE FIRST ROBIN YOU SEE IN THE SPRING
FLIES UP, BUT IF HE FLIES DOWN, YOU ARE DOOMED TO A STREAK OF BAD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck P881.32 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.32 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
OMEN
IF A BIRD FLIES INTO A HOUSE THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW, IT MEANS A
VERY BAD OMEN HAS BEEN GIVEN AND SOMEONE LIVING IN THE HOUSE WILL
DIE WITHIN THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-26-1972