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 N226.4 returned 88 results.
UTENSIL DROPPING
IF YOU DROP A FORK, WHATEVER DIRECTION THE PRONGS ARE IN, A MAN WILL
COME FROM THAT DIRECTION. A KNIFE DROPPED MEANS A WOMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
WAITRESS BELIEF ABOUT SILVERWARE
NEVER PUT SILVERWARE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A CUSTOMER
OR YOU WON'T GET A TIP.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH A RIGHTHANDED CUSTOMER
HAVING TO REACH OVER FOR HIS SILVERWARE.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHTHANDEDNESS ; TIPPING
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
AVOID THE MAIN DISH
IF ONE'S FORK IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE PLACE-SETTING AT A DINING
TABLE THAT PERSON IS GOING TO GET SICK FROM THE COOK'S FOOD; THEY
SHOULD AVOID EATING THE MAIN DISH.
Submitter comment:
I RECENTLY ASKED MY MOTHER ABOUT THIS SAYING SEEING THAT SHE WORKS
WITH A CATERING SERVICE. I THOUGHT SHE MAY HAVE HAD SOME KNOWLEDGE OF
THIS MATTER;, HOWEVER SHE HAS "NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING."
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
WHEN SETTING THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, AN EXTRA PLATE IS
ALWAYS PUT OUT FOR THE "UNINVITED GUEST." THIS IS DONE BECAUSE OF THE
BELIEF THAT CHRIST MIGHT COME TO THE HOME IN THE FORM OF A NEEDY
INDIVIDUAL SEEKING FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY ; POLISH CUSTOM
Date learned: 10-00-1975
MAGIC
HER GRANDFATHER NEVER CUTS BREAD.
HE ALWAYS BREAKS IT BECAUSE IT SYMBOLIZES CHRIST'S BODY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: 11-06-1967
ONE BIG SPOON
WHEN I WAS A BOY, I WENT WITH MY FATHER, WHO WAS
A CANTOR, OR SONG LEADER FOR THE MASS, TO THE WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA STATE PENITENTIARY - A MAXIMUM SECURITY
INSTITUTION. AFTER MASS WAS CELEBRATED AND WE HAD MET
SOME PRISONERS WHO BECAME OUR FRIENDS, WE USUALLY HAD
BREAKFAST IN THE PRISON CAFETERIA. I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY
WE HAD TO EAT EVERYTHING WITH ONE LARGE SPOON. WHENEVER
I ASKED FOR A FORK, EVERYONE SMILED AND ONE OF THE
PRISONERS WOULD SAY, THAT THEY HAD NO FORKS OR KNIVES IN
THE RESTAURANT. LATER I FOUND OUT WHY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAFETERIA ; PRISON
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: 04-04-1970
DINNER KNIVES
THE REASON THAT THE DINNER KNIFE IS ROUNDED AT THE TIP
IS THAT WHEN COLUMBUS WAS COMING TO AMERICA, HE HAD THE SHARP TIP
OF HIS CREW'S KNIVES CUT OFF BECAUSE BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID OF THE MU
James Callow comment: MUTINY ? MUTINEERS ?
Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: 11-16-1968
BANA CAULDA (HOT BUTTER)
PEEL TWELVE LARGE CLOVES OF GARLIC. THINLY SLICE INTO A
ONE QUART SAUCEPAN. ADD FOUR OUNCES OF FLAT FILET
ANCHOVIES. COVER BOTTOM OF PAN WITH OLIVE OIL. PUT ON
MEDIUM HEAT. COOK TIL GARLIC IS SOFT. DO NOT BROWN.
MASH GARLIC AND ANCHOVIES WITH A FORK TIL FINE. ADD ONE
POUND OF BUTTER. STIR TIL BUTTER MELTS AND COMES TO A SOFT BOIL.
USING A FORK, DIP CABBAGE OR VEGETABLES OF CHOICE IN MIXTURE.
USE SLICED BREAD TO CATCH THE DRIPPINGS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A TRADITIONAL ITALIAN MEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
Date learned: 11-00-1982
PILAF
COOK HANDFUL OF FINE EGG NOODLES IN TWO TABLESPOONS MELTED
BUTTER TIL PINK, NOT BROWN. ADD TWO CUPS CHICKEN BROTH, COVER
PAN, BRING TO BOIL. ADD ONE CUP LONG GRAIN RICE, STIR WITH FORK
TIL BOILING RESUMES. TURN HEAT LOW, COVER AND COOK TIL ALL LIQUID
IS ABSORBED (20 TO 25 MINUTES), STIRRING OCCASIONALLY.
FLUFF WITH FORK BEFORE SERVING.
Submitter comment:
THIS RECIPE WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT FROM HER ARMENIAN
MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): PILAF
Date learned: 11-00-1982
AN OLD JAPANESE BELIEF CLAIMS THAT IF A CHOPSTICK
IS BROKEN AT THE EATING TABLE, ONE WILL HAVE
AN ILL LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Bad luck Eating utensils |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
IF YOU DROP A FORK ON THE FLOOR, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Bad luck Eating utensils |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
CROSSING A KNIFE AND FORK IS BELIEVED UNLUCKY.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; Silverware
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... BELIEF -- Bad luck Eating utensils |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
IF A SPOON AND A FORK ARE CROSSED, IT MEANS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS RELATIVES WHILE
HE VISITED IN LATIN AMERICA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Bad ; Fork ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SIGN ; Spoon ; UTENSILS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION ; Silverware
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms BELIEF -- Bad luck Eating utensils |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
IF YOU DROP A FORK A LADY IS COMING TO SEE YOU. IF YOU DROP
A KNIFE, A MAN IS COMING TO SEE YOU. IF YOU DROP A SPOON,
EITHER IS COMING.
Submitter comment: SISTER LEARNED THIS FROM HER FAMILY AS A YOUNG GIRL IN
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Massachusetts ; LYNN
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
IF YOU DROP A FORK IT MEANS A WOMAN IS COMING TO SEE YOU.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-06-1972
IF YOU DROP A FORK, COMPANY IS COMING SOON.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-12-1972
IF YOU GIVE A FRIEND A KNIFE, IT WILL CUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP IN TWO.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: FROM CHILDHOOD
IF YOU DROP A SPOON, IT MEANS THAT COMPANY IS COMING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NEVER HAND A PERSON AN OPEN KNIFE, BECAUSE IT WILL CUT YOUR
FRIENDSHIP.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: 07-00-1972