Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P500 returned 243 results.
UNEXPECTED CORRESPONDENCE
A SPIDER HANGING IN FRONT OF THE DOOR MEANS A LETTER FROM SOMEONE YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING TO HEAR FROM.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CENTERVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-19-1968
COMPANY COMING
IF YOU SEE A REDBIRD IN THE ROAD, TURN YOUR HAT AROUND SO YOU WON'T HAVE COMPANY WHEN YOU GET HOME.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CENTERVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-19-1968
IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK, YOU WILL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; HAMPSHIRE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
IF YOU POINT AT A WATERMELON IT WILL FALL OFF THE VINE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; HAMPSHIRE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-25-1968
SIGN OF FEAR
IF A MAN PUTS HIS OVERALLS ON AND THE GALUSES ARE TWISTED, HE'S AFRAID OF LIGHTNING.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
SIGN OF JEALOUSY
HOLD AN EASTER FLOWER (JONQUIL) UNDER YOUR CHIN AND IF YOU CAN SEE THE YELLOW ON THE SKIN, IT MEANS YOU ARE JEALOUS.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-28-1968
PLACING OF THE BED
MY FATHER DOESN'T WANT THE HEAD OF HIS BED TO THE EAST BECAUSE HE CLAIMS IT GIVES HIM THE HEADACHE.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
ENTER AND LEAVE HOUSE BY SAME DOOR
WHEN I GO IN SOMEONE'S HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I ALWAYS LEAVE BY THE SAME DOOR. IT IS BAD LUCK FOR ME IF I DON'T.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-28-1968
PREVENTING A FIGHT
IF YOU BORROW SALT DON'T PAY IT BACK OR YOUR CHILDREN WILL FIGHT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-28-1968
BAD LUCK FOR WOMAN TO BE FIRST IN HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S
MY STEPMOTHER WOULDN'T LET A WOMAN COME INTO THE HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY BEFORE A MAN CAME IN. THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND HERE WHO STILL DO THIS.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
HOW TO HAVE A GOOD CORN CROP
MY MOTHER USED TO BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST DAY YOU PLANTED CORN YOU HAD TO HAVE TURNIP GREENS AND HOG JOWL FOR A GOOD CROP.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
KNOCK ON WOOD
IF YOU SAY SOMETHING AND YOU ARE AFRAID BECAUSE THAT YOU HAVE SAID IT THAT IT WILL HAPPEN, YOU SHOULD SAY, "I'D BETTER KNOCK ON WOOD" AND KNOCK ON A PIECE OF WOOD WHILE YOU ARE SAYING IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
DON'T THROW BACK YOUR FIRST FISH
YOU WILL LOSE YOUR LUCK IF YOU THROW BACK THE FIRST FISH YOU CATCH. LOTS OF PEOPLE WOULDN'T THINK ABOUT THROWING BACK THEIR FIRST FISH NO MATTER HOW LITTLE IT WAS.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
BAD LUCK SIGNS
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK TO SWEEP ANYTHING OUT THE DOOR OR CARRY OUT ASHES AFTER SUNDOWN.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
HOW TO GET RID OF RATS
IF RATS GOT PRETTY BAD AND YOU WANTED THEM TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, YOU'D LEAVE NOTES IN THE RUNWAY TELLING THEM TO GO TO MR. JOHNSON'S FARM (THE NEIGHBORS) AND THEY WOULD ALL GO AWAY. YOU HAD TO TELL THEM THE DIRECTION TO GO TOO.
Submitter comment:
HIS MOTHER BELIEVED THIS AND WOULD ACTUALLY DO IT.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
SELLING A DOG
LOTS OF PEOPLE USED TO THINK THAT IF YOU SOLD A DOG, IT WAS BAD LUCK TO TAKE MONEY INTO THE HOUSE. IT WAS ALL RIGHT IF YOU LEFT IT OUTSIDE, UNDER THE DOORSTEP OR SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG AT HOME
IF YOU HAVE A DOG THAT WON'T STAY AT HOME, CUT HAIR OFF THE END OF HIS TAIL AND PUT IT UNDER YOUR DOORSTEP AND HE WILL STAY HOME.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
KILLING A TOAD FROG
KILL A TOAD FROG AND YOUR COWS WILL GIVE BLOODY MILK.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-28-1968
TO PREVENT A FIGHT
IF YOU SPILL SALT OUT OF YOUR SALT SHAKER, THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER SO YOU WON'T HAVE A FIGHT WITH ANYONE IN THE ROOM.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; PUXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-28-1968