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 870 returned 2149 results.
PICTURE
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL IT IS A SIGN SOMEONE CLOSE
TO THE FAMILY WILL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-04-1972
BELIEF
IF YOU HEAR THE WAIL OF A BANSHEE, IT'S AN ILL OMEN MEANING DEATH
OR SERIOUS TROUBLE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
BELIEF
IF A CHICKEN SINGS LIKE A ROOSTER, SOMEONE WILL DIE
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER AND FATHER BELIEVE THIS SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
OMENS
IN GREECE DOGS AND HORSES ARE OMENS TO MEN. WHEN A HORSE WILL
NOT GO OUT INTO THE FIELD TO WORK, THEN YOU KNOW SOMETHING BAD
IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
OMENS
THE INFORMANT TELLS THE STORY OF A DOG WHO WOULDN'T LET HIS
MASTER OUT OF THE HOUSE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME BUSINESS. THE
DOG WOULD BARK AND JUMP ON HIS MASTER WHENEVER HE TRIED TO
LEAVE. THE MAN GREW ANGRY, PUSHED THE DOG ASIDE AND LEFT.
THE MAN NEVER RETURNED AND THE DOG DIED ON THE VERY SPOT ON
WHICH HE HAD BEEN BARKING.
Submitter comment:
(THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT ANY STRANGE BEHAVIOR IN DOGS AND
HORSES IS LIKELY TO BODE ILL FOR THE MASTER IF HE DOES NOT
HEED THEM)
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
A GIRL WITH RED HAIR
IF A GIRL WITH RED HAIR COMES TO YOUR HOUSE ON MONDAY. THERE WILL BE
CONFUSION ALL WEEK. MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS BEATRICE SAYAS 38 MARRIED
BLACK-AMERICAN, LIVING IN DETROIT ORIGINALLY FROM NEW ORLEANS
Date learned: 11-08-1972
JUMP ROPE RHYME
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW,
WENT UPSTAIRS TO KISS HER FELLOW.
HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
Submitter comment:
THE ONE WHO IS JUMPING, JUMPS UNTIL THEY MISS. THIS IS SUPPOSED
TO BE HOW MANY KISSES THEY RECEIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-17-1972
SNAKES
IF YOU SEE A SNAKE OR DREAM ABOUT ONE, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSSIBLE GOSSIP, BACKBITING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about animals |
Date learned: 03-13-1975
WHISTLE IN YOUR EAR
IF YOU HEAR A WHISTLE IN YOUR EAR, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
IF YOU SAY THE ALPHABET UNTIL IT STOPS,
THE LETTER IT STOPS ON (WILL BE)
THE FIRST INITIAL OF THE NAME OF THE PERSON TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSSIBLE GOSSIP, BACKBITING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-13-1975
MARRIAGE
IF IT RAINS 3 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING, THE COUPLE WILL HAVE
3 CHILDREN. 4 DAYS, 4 CHILDREN. THIS ONLY WORKS A WEEK BEFORE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: CA1963-1975
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS DAY ALL UNMARRIED PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH IN WHICH DIRECTION
THE DOG BARKS BECAUSE THAT IS THE DIRECTION WHERE THE PERSON THEY
ARE TO MARRY LIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Marriage |
LIMERICK
A POETESS LIVING IN TRIM,
POSSESSES A PECULIAR WHIM,
SHE WEARS A LARGE BONNET,
WHEN WRITING A SONNET,
AND A HELMET WHEN WRITING A HYMN.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POETESS
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001960S
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU GET A PIMPLE ON YOUR TONGUE, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
BELIEF ABOUT THE EYE
IF YOUR EYE JUMPS, YOU ARE GOING TO BE KISSED BY A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-19-1972
OWL
IF AN OWL SITS ON YOUR HOUSE AND HOOTS, IT MEANS A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
WEATHER BELIEF
ROBINS ARE REGARDED BY MANY AS A SIGN OF SPRING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF
IF THE TAME RAVENS KEPT AT THE TOWER OF LONDON ARE EVER LOST, OR
FLY AWAY, THE CROWN WILL FALL, AND BRITAIN WITH IT.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF ABOUT BIRDS
IF A WILD BIRD FLIES THROUGH YOUR HOME, DEATH IN YOUR FAMILY WILL
BE IMMINENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
A SPECK OF DIRT ON THE YOLK OF EGGS SHOWS THAT A MALE CHICK WILL
BE HATCHED FROM IT.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CRICKET
IF YOU KILL A CRICKET, IT WILL COME IN THE NIGHT AND EAT HOLES IN
YOUR CLOTHES.
Submitter comment:
I CAN REMEMBER AS A CHILD, BELIEVING THIS TO THE POINT WHERE I
STAYED UP GUARDING MY CLOSET ALL NIGHT FROM THE ONSLAUGHT OF A
PREVIOUSLY KILLED CRICKET.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN