Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SPORTS BELIEF
BATTING WITH THE TRADEMARK UP BRINGS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE THE MOST SUPERSTITIOUS ATHLETES I HAVE
EVER COME IN CONTACT WITH. THEY HAVE MANY METHODS TO AFFECT
THEIR LUCK, OF WHICH THIS IS JUST A SAMPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP INTO THE HOUSE IS CALLED
THE "FIRST FOOTER, AND THEY BRING A PIECE OF COAL WITH THEM TO
BRING GOOD LUCK TO THE HOUSEHOLD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ITEM ABOVE, THEY ARE BOTH FROM SCOTLAND
AND, I BELIEVE THAT ONE HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE OTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
CURSES
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING DICE, MAKE AN "X" ON THE TABLE SO THAT YOUR
OPPONENT DOES NOT ROLL A PAIR, OR WHATEVER YOU ARE ROLLING.
Submitter comment:
THE "X" IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A CROSS, SO IT MIGHT BE A TYPE OF
BLESSING, INSTEAD OF A HEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
GOOD LUCK
MY GRANDFATHER HANG A HORSE SHOE AT EACH DOOR OF THE HOUSE. THIS
WOULD BRING IN THE GOOD LUCK AND WARD OUT THE BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S DAY
BETTER TO WASH CLOTHES ON NEW YEAR'S THAN DURING THAT WEEK.
IT BRINGS IN GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
ON THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER, YOU TAKE MONEY (CHANGE) AND PUT IT INTO A
DISH OF WATER. NEXT MORNING, EVERYBODY WASHES THEIR HANDS IN IT.
DOING THIS BRINGS WEALTH TO THE HOUSEHOLD.
Submitter comment:
TRADITION WAS FOLLOWED IN HIS FAMILY. IT COMES FROM THE SLAVIC CHURCH
TRADITION AND WAS INTRODUCED BY HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
WHEN YOU GET A NEW HOUSE OR A NEW CAR, MONEY (CHANGE) IS COLLECTED
FROM FRIENDS AND PUT INTO AN UNUSED CORNER OF THE HOUSE OR UNDER A
SEAT IN THE CAR. IT SHOULD LIE UNDISTURBED FROM THEN ON. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK AND SAFETY TO A HOUSE OR CAR.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS EX-WIFE, WHO IS LEBANESE, AND HE HAS
FOLLOWED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Date learned: 01-00-1979
GOOD LUCK CHARM
I WEAR A SMALL, GOLDEN HAND ON A CHAIN AROUND MY NECK, WITH A PIECE
OF TURQUOISE ON IT. IT WILL KEEP ME FROM EVIL. THIS HAND WAS GIVEN
TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN I WAS BORN--I HAVE IT ALWAYS WITH ME.
IT HAS MUCH POWER BECAUSE IT WAS MADE IN PALESTINE, ABOUT 1916.
Submitter comment:
THE HAND IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE HAND OF FATIMA, DAUGHTER OF THE
PROPHET MOHAMMED. IF THERE IS A TINY STONE SET INTO THE HAND, IT
REPRESENTS AN EYE--IT WILL THROW THE CURSE BACK DOUBLY ON ITS
ORIGINATOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I USED TO HAVE A GOOD-LUCK DOLL CALLED A WISH-NIK.
IT WAS SMALL, NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, WITH A TROLL'S FACE, AND IT
HAD LONG, BRIGHTLY COLORED HAIR. TO MAKE A WISH, YOU RUBBED ITS BELLY
OR STROKED ITS HAIR, WHILE THINKING OF WHAT YOU WANTED TO HAPPEN.
THE ORIGINAL WISH-NIKS HAD HORSESHOES STAMPED ON THE BOTTOM OF THEIR
FEET. WHEN THEY BECAME MORE COMMERCIALIZED, THEY STOPPED DOING THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
KNOCKING ON WOOD RESULTS IN GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
WOOD IS THOUGHT TO BE A GOD. AND TO KNOCK ON THE GOD IS TO RENDER HIS
FAVOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck |
SUPERSTITION
WEARING JEANS THE DAY BEFORE EXAMS AND DRESS CLOTHES THE DAY AFTER
RESULTS IN GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS PRACTICE IS ADHERED TO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. QUESTIONING
OF THE STUDENT BODY RESULTED IN NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR
THE ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS CONTINUOUSLY PRACTICED.
Where learned: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Good luck |
FAMILY SUPERSTITION
FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR, YOU MUST PLACE A QUATER OUTSIDE YOUR
FRONT DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
THEN REMOVE IT AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FAMILY HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AS MANY GENERATIONS BACK
AS THEY KNOW OF
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): COIN MONEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
WHEN RUNNING ON THE BASEBALL FIELD , I WILL MAKE SURE THAT
I STEP ON AT LEAST ONE OF THE BASES. IF THE TEAM IS COMING
ON THE FIELD FROM THE FIRST BASE SIDE, FIRST BASE
WILL BE STEPPED ON. FROM THE FIRST BASE SIDE, THIRD
BASE WILL BE STEPPED ON. BEING MOSTLY A SECOND BASE-
MAN, SECOND BASE WILL BE TAPPED.
Submitter comment: I SEE THIS AS BRINGING ME GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970'S
SUPERSTITION
WHEN RUNNING ON AND OFF THE FIELD, LIKE MANY OTHER BALL
PLAYERS, I WILL NOT STEP ON THE CHALKED LINES. THIS
STEMS FROM THE SAYING "STEP ON A CRACK AND YOU BREAK
YOUR MOTHER'S BACK".
Submitter comment: I SEE THIS AS BRINGING ME GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970'S
SUPERSTITION
WHEN PUTTING ON MY SOCKS TO PLAY IN A SPORT, THE SOCK
WITH THE LABELLING GOES ON THE RIGHT FOOT. IF THE LA-
BELLING HAS FADED AWAY, THE BETTER CONDITIONED SOCK
GOES ON THE RIGHT FOOT. I'M RIGHT-HANDED AND I BELIEVE
THIS WILL BRING ME GOOD LUCK. RECENTLY, I HAVE STARTED
THIS TREND IN MY EVERYDAY MANNERISMS.
Submitter comment: I SEE THIS AS BRINGING ME GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): DRESSING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001973
FORTUNE TELLING RICE BIRDS OF INDONESIA
IN INDONESIA A VENDER COME AROUND THE HOUSE WITH THREE
LITTLE RICE BIRDS IN A CAGE. HE WOULD ASK IF HE COULD
TELL YOUR FORTUNE FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS. IF ALLOWED,
HE WOULD THROW RICE INTO THE CAGE OF BIRDS. IF THE BIRDS
ATE THE RICE, YOU WOULD HAVE SEVEN YEARS OF STARVATION, BE-
CAUSE EVERYTHING HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED. IF THEY DIDN'T EAT
ALL THE RICE, YOU WOULD HAVE SEVEN YEARS OF SUCCESS AND
GOOD LUCK. THE IDEA WAS TO GET THE VENDER AFTER HE HAS
BEEN TO ALL THE OTHER HOUSES, BY THAT TIME THE BIRDS WOULD
BE TOO FULL OF RICE, YOU COULD NOT HELP BUT GET GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): AUSPEXY ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer 870 Favorites BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950
CABBAGE IS COOKED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GOOD LUCK. THE LEAVES
ON THE CABBAGE REPRESENT MONEY THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE WILL COME TO
THOSE EATING IT.
Submitter comment: SYMBOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
HORN SHAPED PENDANT- "CORNICUE"
THIS PENDANT IS USUALLY MADE OF A PRECIOUS METAL, GOLD OR SILVER.
IT IS GIVEN TO ANOTHER AS AN AMULET OF GOOD LUCK. IT SHOULD NOT
BE PURCHASED BY THE ONE WHO IS TO WEAR IT. IT SHOULD BE RECIEVED
AS A GIFT. IT IS WORN AROUND THE NECK ON A CHAIN. IRONICALLY
SOME WEAR A CROSS WITH IT , TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
AT WEDDINGS OR OTHER FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS CONFETTI, A TYPE OF
ALMOND CANDY, SUGAR COATED IS USED TO DECORATE SWEET TRAYS. AT
WEDDINGS, THIS IS THROWN AT THE BRIDE AND GROOM AS GOOD LUCK.
FOR GRADUATION THE RED COLORED ONES ARE USED TO WARD OFF EVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
WATER
IN THE FALL, YOUR OWN IMAGES ARE MADE OF STRAW AND CAST INTO THE
RIVER, TO FLOAT WHERE THEY WILL AND BRING GOOD LUCK TO THR SENDER.
Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS OBSERVED IN POLAND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-08-1979