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 P477 returned 904 results.
EVERYTIME A GIRL WHISTLES, IT MAKES THE BLESSED
MOTHER CRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): BLESSED VIRGIN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
WHEN A PERSON MAKES A MISTAKE, HE WILL WHISTLE TO
MAKE UP FOR IT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SOMETIMES DID THIS JUST FOR FUN. ACTUALLY,
I HEARD THIS DONE BY SOMEONE, BUT I FORGET WHO. IT
MIGHT BE TO KEEP THE EVIL SPIRITS AWAY WHEN THE
MISTAKE IS MADE, OR PERHAPS, TO PREVENT FURTHER
MISTAKES. MAYBE IT'S JUST SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
ALL THE LIES YOU TELL SHOW UP AS WHITE SPOTS IN
YOUR FINGERNAILS, AND WHEN YOU MAKE GOOD THOSE LIES,
THE WHITE MARKS DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-22-1967
A BLISTER ON YOUR TONGUE MEANS THAT YOU TOLD A LIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-02-1967
IF IT RAINS THE DAY YOU MARRY, THAT IS HOW MANY
TEARS YOU WILL SHED DURING YOUR MARRIED LIFE.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM A WOMAN
WITH WHOM SHE WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM
HER MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRYING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
WHEN SOMEBODY IS SWEEPING THE FLOOR, AND THEY SWEEP
AROUND A GIRL, SHE WILL GROW UP TO BE AN OLD MAID.
Submitter comment:
HER MOTHER, RAISED IN KENTUCKY, TOLD HER THIS WHEN
THE INFORMANT WAS TEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): SPINSTER
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 04-18-1965
SINGING BEFORE BREAKFAST MAKES YOU CRY BEFORE BED.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MOTHER
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
IF YOU SING BEFORE YOU EAT BREAKFAST, YOU WILL CRY
BEFORE NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-08-1967
A PERSON SHOULD NEVER BE TAKING A BATH OR WASH HIS
HAIR, OR BE IN CONTACT WITH WATER IN ANY WAY DURING
A THUNDER STORM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A COMMON PROHIBITION USED IN THE INFORMANT'S
FAMILY. SHE REMEMBERS HER FATHER BEING VERY STRICT
ABOUT THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 04-24-1965
JAMAICAN SUPERSTITION
NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON THE SEA, BECAUSE IT WILL BECOME
ANGRY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A LADY-FRIEND FROM JAMAICA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Still water Large body. |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
POLISH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE, YOU WON'T GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-24-1967
WASH YOUR HANDS WITH A QUARTER TO INSURE THAT YOU WILL HAVE
MONEY FOR THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
ITALIAN SUPERSTITION
DON'T THROW MONEY ON A BED OR YOU'LL LOSE IT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER WHO ONCE LIVED IN ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
IF YOU WALK AN INFANT AROUND THE DINING ROOM ON SUNDAY
DURING THE HIGH MASS, THE CHILD WILL BE ABLE TO
WALK SOONER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EXERCISE
Date learned: 03-25-1967
MY GRANDFATHER REFUSED TO POSE FOR SNAPSHOTS, SAYING
THAT HE WOULD DIE WITHIN A YEAR IF WE TOOK HIS PICTURE.
IN 1957 (SEPTEMBER) HE ALLOWED US TO TAKE HIS PICTURE
BECAUSE IT WAS A SPECIAL OCCASION--I WAS GETTING MARRIED.
IN OCTOBER, 1958 HE DIED--AT THE AGE OF 90, OF CANCER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER'S NAME WAS SAMUEL GONDEK; HE WAS BORN IN
POLAND. WHEN HE CAME TO AMERICA, HE SETTLED IN
BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Gaylord
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
IF YOU GET COLD SHIVERS, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions |
Date learned: 04-02-1967
IF YOUR EARS BUZZ, IT MEANS SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT
YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-10-1967
WHEN WEARING A CHAIN AND THE OBJECT THAT IS ON THE
CHAIN TOUCHES THE CLASP OF THE CHAIN, THIS MEANS THAT
SOMEONE YOU LIKE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU.
Submitter comment: RINA HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND OF HERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object Dress, buttons, jewelry |
Date learned: 11-13-1967
IF YOU DROP A FORK IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS THINKING
ABOUT YOU.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-18-1967
IN HER HOME IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, THE MAIDS BELIEVE
THAT IF SOMEONE ARGUES OR FIGHTS A GREAT DEAL, HE IS
POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Keyword(s): SATAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1967