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 P644 returned 194 results.
EVIL EYE CURE
IF SOMEONE IS SICK FROM THE EVIL EYE,
PUT SALT IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOM.
IT WILL GET RID OF THE EVIL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER IN LAW DID THIS IN FRONT OF
INFORMANT TO CURE INFORMANT'S SON OF A FEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 02-02-1972
TOO MUCH PRAISE
A PERSON MAY UNKNOWINGLY GIVE A BABY
OR A YOUNG CHILD THE EVIL EYE
BY PRAISING HIM.
Submitter comment:
MRS. NICHOLAS LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM
HER MOTHER IN LAW WHO IS GREEK.
SHE IN TURN, NOW BELIEVES THIS TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
GOLD PIN
THE GREEK PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH AFRAID OF THE EVIL EYE.
A BABY MUST WEAR A GOLD PIN ON HIS GOWN
TO PROTECT HIM AGAINST THE EYE.
ONCE A CHILD HAS BEEN BEWITCHED BY THE EVIL EYE
ONLY CERTAIN WOMEN MAY RID HIM OF THE SPEEL.
THIS WOMAN SAYS CERTAIN WORDS IN GREEK.
I DO NOT KNOW THEM , BUT THEY ARE A SORT OF PRAYER.
THIS WOMAN MAY TELL WHOMEVER SHE PLEASES THE WORDS,
AND THEN THIS PERSON IS ABLE TO CAST OFF THE EVIL
EYE SPELL. NO MAN HOWEVER MAY BE TOLD
THESE SECRET WORDS. MY MOTHER IN LAW
KNOWS THEM, AND AFTER SHE REPEATS THEM SHE SPITS.
IF THE BABY BEGINS TO YAWN, THE SPELL IS GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
SUPERSTITION ON CAMPUS
IF YOU WALK ON THE BIG "M" IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE DIAGONAL BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST
BLUEBOOK TEST YOU WILL FAIL IT.
Submitter comment: TRADITIONAL SAYING ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S CAMPUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
WHEN MRS. SMITH WAS A GIRL IN THE BEET FIELDS OF KANSAS
SHE REMEMBERS A RUSSIAN COMMUNITY WHICH WAS NEARBY.
THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY ON AT LEAST ONE
INSTANCE IN HER MEMORY MARCHED AROUND THE HOUSE OF
SOMEONE WHO HAD GIVEN THEM A ROUGH TIME AND PRONOUNCED
A HEX ON THE HOUSE. THE NEXT DAY THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN
AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY EXPLANATION FOR IT.
THEREFORE THEY CONSIDERED THE RUSSIAN HEX AS THE CAUSE OF IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GESTURE-BELIEF
CROSS YOUR FINGER, (LEG OR FEET) WHEN YOU TELL SOMEONE
SOMETHING THAT IS NOT TRUE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO
EXEMPT YOU FROM TELLING A LIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 09-29-1967
A CURSE
IF A CHILD STRIKES HIS PARENTS, HIS HAND WILL WITHER.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER HAD RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1949
LUCK OF SHIPS
THERE IS A STORY OF AN UNNAMED GRAIN SHIP,
A GREAT LAKES THREE-MASTER, THAT LOST HER
LUCK ON A RUN TO BUFFALO. A MAN, NAMED BILL, HAD
FALLEN TO HIS DEATH FROM THE MASTHEAD, AND ON THE FOLLOWING
DAY ANOTHER HAD LOST HIS LIFE. ON ARRIVING AT BUFFALO
THE MEN WENT ASHORE AS SOON AS THEY WERE PAID OFF. THEY WERE
NOT RETURNING BECAUSE, THEY SAID, THE SHIP HAD LOST HER
LUCK. WHILE THE VESSEL WAS DISCHARGING HER
CARGO AT AN ELEVATOR THE STORY GOT AROUND AND THE GRAIN-TRIMMERS
REFUSED TO WORK HER. WHEN THE SHIP WAS UNLOADED SHE WAS
ORDERED TO CLEVELAND TO TAKE ON COAL BUT COULD NOT SIGN A CREW.
THEY MANAGED TO GET A NEW CREW BY GOING TO A CRIMP, WHO RAN
THEM IN FROM SALT WATER. THEY CAME ABOARD TWO-THIRDS DRUNK AND
THE MATE WAS STEERING THEM TO THE FORECASTLE, WHEN ONE
OF THEM STOPPED AND POINTED ALOFT, SAID: "WHAT HAVE YOU
GOT A FIGUREHEAD ON THE MASTHEAD FOR?" THE MATE LOOKED ALOFT
AND THEN TURNED WHITE. "IT'S BILL," HE CRIED, AND WITH THAT
THE WHOLE LOT DID A PIERHEAD JUMP, EVEN THE MATE.
THE CAPTAIN MANAGED TO SIGN ON ANOTHER CREW AND SAILED
FOR CLEVELAND, BUT HE NEVER GOT THERE; HIS VESSEL WAS SUNK
BY A STEAMER OFF DUNKIRK.
Submitter comment:
CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HEARD THIS STORY FROM
HIS FATHER WHO CLAIMED THAT HIS BEST FRIEND WAS
LOST ON THIS ILL-FATED SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAC ISLAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
A WITCH SUPERSTITION
IN POLAND IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A WITCH
LOOKS AT A COW, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY GO DRY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR BELIEF IN POLAND THAT MY
GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
A POLISH CURSE
(POLISH) NIECH CIE, DIABLI IVEZMA,
TRANSLATION: MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A KIND OF A CURSE. MY FATHER KNOWS
THIS POPULAR CURSE FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-17-1967
THE WOMAN WITH THE EVIL-EYE
IN JANOIVUC, POLAND, FROM WHERE MY
GRANDFATHER COMES, HE TELLS OF A WOMAN WHO
HAD AN EVIL EYE. IT WAS KNOWN
THAT WHENEVER SHE WAS WITH SOMEONE, AND A FLOCK OF
GEESE WOULD COME BY, AND SHE WOULD COMMENT, "OH, WHAT A
NICE FLOCK IMMEDIATELY THE GEESE WOULD ALL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
EVIL-EYE
IF YOU GIVE ANYONE HANDKERCHIEFS FOR GIFTS
AND THEY WILL USE THEM FOR TEARS.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
EVIL-EYE
DON'T GET TOO ATTACHED TO CHILDREN.
SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN TO THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
EVIL-EYE
DON'T TICKLE CHILDREN AND MAKE THEM
LAUGH BECAUSE THEY'LL CRY LATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
CURSE
WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER WAS REALLY PROVOKED WITH SOMEONE
OR WANTED TO SHOW HOW MUCH SHE DISLIKED A PERSON,
SHE WOULD SAY CHOLERA} (PRONOUNCED "HELLIDA" AND
FOLLOWED BY A SPITTING NOISE).
AT ONE TIME THERE WAS A TERRIBLE EPIDEMIC IN POLAND
AND THIS IS A GESTURE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING
THE DISEASE OF CHOLERA ON THE PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS ADDRESSED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 03-20-1967
THE EVIL EYE
ONE DAY MY AUNT WENT TO VISIT AN OFFICER AND HIS WIFE
WITH MY UNCLE.
THE OFFICERS WIFE HAD A BROKEN LEG.
ALL THE TIME THEY WERE THERE THE WOMAN NEVER TOOK
HER EYES OFF MY AUNT.
MY UNCLE NOTICED THIS AND DECIDED TO GO HOME.
JUST AS MY UNCLE GOT UP MY AUNT TRIED TO BUT SHE WAS UNABLE
TO MOVE.
SINCE THEY WERE IN A SMALL TOWN IN ITALY MY UNCLE
HIRED A CARRIAGE.
AFTER THE CARRIAGE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE MY UNCLE
LIFTED MY AUNT OUT OF THE CARRIAGE AND CARRIED HER INTO THE HOUSE.
A NEIGHBOR SEEING THIS CAME OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG.
AS SOON AS SHE SAW MY AUNT SHE REALIZED MY AUNT
HAD THE EVIL EYE.
THE WOMAN THEREFORE CALLED A FRIEND OF HERS.
THE WOMAN CAME OVER AND NOTICED ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS OF THE EVIL EYE.
SHE PUT SOME OIL IN SOME WATER.
BY THE WAY THE DROPS FORMED THE WOMAN COULD TELL THAT WHAT
MY AUNT HAD WAS REALLY THE EVIL EYE.
AFTER THE WOMAN SPRINKLED THE OIL OVER HER
AND SAID SOME PRAYERS MY AUNT IMMEDIATELY GOT WELL.
Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED TO HER IN ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-23-1967
SHATTERED MIRROR
A BROKEN MIRROR IS AN INDICATION OF SEVEN YEARS BAD LUCK
Submitter comment:
FIRST HEARD ABOUT 1951 WHEN I BROKE A MIRROR
AND MOTHER ISSUED THE ABOVE WARNING.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
PROFESSIONAL PRAYER-MAN
WHEN A CHILD BECAME SICK, ESPECIALLY IF HE LOST HIS
APPETITE OR STARTED LOSING WEIGHT, HE WAS BELIEVED TO
HAVE A HEX ON HIM. (THE HEX WAS USUALLY MEANT FOR THE MOTHER
BUT SINCE SHE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO WARD IT OFF IT WAS PUT
ON THE CHILD BY THE MOTHER'S ENEMY). WHEN THIS
HAPPENED THE PARENTS WOULD ASK A MR. RAUDENSKY (A MAN IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD--THERE WERE OTHERS IN OTHER AREAS) TO PRAY THE
HEX AWAY. HE WOULD PRAY FOR THREE DAYS WHEN THE SUN WENT DOWN
AND THE PARENTS WOULD PAY HIM $1 OR GIVE HIM FOOD
IF THEY HAD NO MONEY
Submitter comment: PRACTICED IN STEELTON, PA. ABOUT 1920.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 01-12-1964
CURSE OF DONERAILE
ALAS HOW DISMAL IS MY TALE;
I LOST MY WATCH IN DONERAILE.
MY DUBLIN WATCH, MY CHAIN AND SEAL
PILFERED AT ONCE IN DONERAILE.
MAY FIRE AND BRIMSTONE NEVER FAIL
TO FALL IN SHOWERS IN DONERAILE.
THE FATE OF POMPEY AT PHORSALE
BE THAT CURSE OF DONERAILE.
MAY EGYPT'S PLAGUE AT ONCE PREVAIL
TO THIN THE KNAVES OF DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY POST, GAZETTE, AND MAIL
SAD TIDINGS BRING OF DONERAILE.
MAY FROST AND SNOW AND SLEET AND HAIL
BENUMB EACH JOINT IN DONERAILE.
MAY WOLVES AND BLOODHOUNDS TRACE AND TRAIL
THE CURSED CREW OF DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY MISCHIEF FRESH AND STALE
ABIDE HENCEFORTH IN DONERAILE
MAY NEITHER FLOUR NOR OATENMEAL
BE FOUND OR KNOWN IN DONERAILE.
MAY CURSES WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
POUR WITH FULL FORCE ON DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY TRANSPORT WONT TO SAIL
A CONVICT BRING FROM DONERAILE.
MAY COLD AND HUNGER STILL CONGEAL
THE STAGNANT BLOOD OF DONERAILE.
MAY CHARON'S BOAT TRIUMPHANT SAIL
COMPLETELY MANNED FROM DONERAILE.
AND MAY GRIM PLUTO'S INNER JAIL
FOREVER GROAN WITH DONERAIL.
Submitter comment:
IT IS A GREAT CURSING BALLAD; WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1808, IT IS AS
POPULAR TODAY AS IT WAS THEN. IN DONERAILE AT THE TIME, LIVED
A GALWAY SCHOOLMASTER, PAT O'KELLY, WHO FANCIED HIMSELF A BIT OF
A POET. ONE DAY HE LOST HIS WATCH IN THE LOVELY NORTH CORK
VILLAGE AND WAS NEVER RETURNED. HE IMMEDIATELY SAT DOWN AND WROTE
THIS BALLAD. FAR TOO LONG TO GIVE IN FULL, HERE ARE A FEW COUPLETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
Keyword(s): CURSE ; IRELAND ; OVERREACTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hate BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-26-1972
HEART TROUBLE
THERE IS A CUSTOM IN THE OLD COUNTRY: YOU GET AN ORANGE AND PUT PINS
IN IT, REAL CLOSE TOGETHER. WHILE YOU DO THIS SAY,
"AS I PUT THESE PINS IN THIS ORANGE MAY SOME PERSON'S HEART SHRIVEL
UP AS THIS ORANGE WILL DO". WHEN THE ORANGE ROTS THE PERSON WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD STORIES OF THIS HAPPENING IN ITALY (CALABRIA),
BUT NEVER SAW IT DONE PERSONALLY. INFORMANT UNSURE IF THIS IS
POSSIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-21-1972