Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S600 returned 515 results.
"KNOCK ON WOOD."
Submitter comment:
MRS. REESE ALWAYS ACCOMPANYS THIS SAYING WITH THE ACTION OF
KNOCKING ON THE NEAREST WOOD STRUCTURE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
CROSSING YOURSELF
ALWAYS CROSS YOURSELF WHEN YOU HEAR AN AMBULANCE SIREN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY CATHOLIC NUNS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
IT WAS DONE IN RESPECT FOR THE DEAD AND INJURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
RAILROAD CROSSING
WHEN YOU GO ACROSS A RAILROAD CROSSING IN A
CAR HOLD YOUR FEET UP AND TOUCH THE CEILING
TO KEEP THE ROOF FROM FALLING IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
SUPERSTITION
POLISH PEOPLE DON'T KISS IN DOORWAYS - BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): LOCATION POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
CUSTOM
SIGN OF THE CROSS AFTER COMING ACROSS AN ACCIDENT OR
FUNERAL PROCESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET AND YOU DON'T SPIT ON THE BROOM;
YOU'LL GO TO JAIL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
FLIRTATION WALK
AT WEST POINT IF YOU TAKE YOUR GIRL FRIEND DOWN FLIRTATION WALK
AND KISS HER UNDER THE KISSING ROCK YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST POINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- P535 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
FUNERAL
DON'T POINT AT A FUNERAL PROCESSION, IF YOU DO YOUR FINGER WILL ROT OFF.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HER MOTHER TOLD HER THIS WHEN THEY WERE DOWNTOWN ONE DAY
AND THEY SAW A FUNERAL PROCESSION PASSING BY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
GESTURE
IN GREAT BRITAIN, IF A PERSON HOLDS A FIST AT YOU AND PUTS THE THUMB
STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR, HE IS SAYING THAT YOU'RE OK OR A GOOD GUY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
EVIL EYE
ONE CURE FOR THE EVIL EYE IS TO DROP SOME OIL WATER IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE VICTIM . IF AFTER IT SPREADS THE OIL TAKES ON THE SHAPE OF AN
EYE , THERE IS NO DOUBT THE VICTIM HAS FALLEN TO THE EVIL EYE. THE
PERSON GIVING THE CURE CAN THEN MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS THREE
TIMES ON THE VICTIM'S FOREHEAD, RESULTING IN A RAPID RECOVERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Use of Object SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
EVIL EYE
BY RAISING A CLOSED FIST AND EXTENDING THE LITTLE FINGER AND THUMB,
THE VICTIM CAN COUNTER THE EVIL EYE AND RETURN THE EVIL TO ITS
ORIGINATOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
CORDIAL GREETINGS
SWISS WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE EXTREMELY POLITE AND CORDIAL WHEN
MEETING ON THE STREET. THEY ALWAYS STOP AND SAY "HELLO
HOW ARE YOU" AND SHAKE HANDS EVEN IF THEY SEE YOU ALL THE TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-04-1972
SONG
WHATS YOUR NAME LITTLE BOY ? MY NAME IS LEMME LEMME
WHAT LITTLE BOY?
LEMME KISS YA. WHAT'S YOUR NAME LITTLE GIRL? MY NAME IS
IDA IDA. WHAT
LITTLE GIRL?/ IDA WANT TO. WHAT'SS YOUR NAME LITTLE BOY? MY NAME IS
LEMME LEMME. WHAT E BOY ? LEMME KISS /YA. WHAT'S YOUR NAME LITTL
LITTLE GIRL?
MY NAME IS ASKA ASKA. WHAT LITTLE GIRL ? ASKA MAMA. WHAT'S YOUR
NAME LITTLE BOY ? MY NAME IS LEMME LEMME. WHAT LITTLE BOY ?
LEMME KISS
YA. WHAT'S YOUR NAME LITTLE GIRL? MY NAME IS ALLA ALLA. WHAT LITTLE
GIRL? ALLA RIGHT.
Submitter comment: SUNG WITH GESTURES
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
BELIEF LUCK
IF YOU BEND BACKWARDS AND KISS THE BLARNEY STONE IN IRELAND YOU WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTORTION ; POSITION DIRECTION BACKWARDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
EVERY JEWISH HOUSE HAS A MAZUZAH ON ITS DOORPOST FOR EACH MEMBER
TO KISS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE HOUSE
Submitter comment: THIS IS SHOWING RESPECT FOR GOD. THE MAZUZAH IS A FORM OF MEDAL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
CUSTOMS
ON HALLOWEEN IN GREECE, THE KIDS GO FROM DOOR TO DOOR
KISSING THE HANDS OF THE GROWN-UPS. THEY THEN RECEIVE A
FEW PENNIES IN RETURN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-02-1972
CURER
THERE USED TO BE SIGNS ALONG GRAND RIVER THAT READ "READINGS".
PEOPLE WOULD CALL THESE PLACES TO HAVE ONE OF THE CURERS COME
OVER AND HEAL ONE OF THEIR SICK. THEY WOULD COME OVER WITH A
BIBLE, OPEN IT TO A CERTAIN PASSAGE AND PRAY OVER THE SICK
PERSON. THEN THEY WOULD PLACE A HANDKERCHIEF ON THE PLACE OF
PAIN. AFTER A WHILE THEY WOULD REMOVE IT AND BURN IT IN THE
FIRE. PEOPLE BELIEVED THIS TRANSFERRED THE PAIN TO THE FIRE.
THE SICK PERSON WAS USUALLY WELL AFTER THIS. THESE CURERS
ALSO MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS IN FOUR DIFFERENT WAYS AS PART
OF THEIR RITUAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Curer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
THE INFORMANT'S INFORMANT WAS SARINNA OUENCHUSAK 22 WHO WAS
AN EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM THAILAND STAYING WITH THE LANNEN'S.
IF A BABY IS BORN WITH HIS THUMB TUCKED INSIDE HIS
FIST HIS LIFE
WILL BE BLESSED AND HIS DEATH WILL BE EXPECTED.
(NOT A SUDDEN DEATH, HE WILL BE ABLE TO PREPARE FOR HIS DEATH)
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
TWELVE ANGELS
GREEN GRASS IS GROWING,
BY THE CHURCH DOORSTEP.
YOU GAVE YOUR HAND TO ( GROOM'S NAME ),
YOU GAVE YOUR HAND TO ( GROOM'S NAME ),
BY THE MAIN ALTAR.
YOU GAVE HIM YOUR RIGHT HAND,
THE PRIEST BLESSED YOUR WEDDING BAND.
YOUR EYES FILLED WITH TEARS,
YOUR EYES FILLED WITH TEARS,
BY THIS SMILING MAN.
TWELVE PETAL WHITE ROSES,
ON A LITTLE TREE.
TWELVE ANGELS HAD COME,
TWELVE ANGELS HAD COME,
TO SERVE YOU WILLINGLY.
FIRST ANGEL IS CARRYING,
A FLAMING CANDLE LIGHT.
SECOND ANGEL CARRIES,
SECOND ANGEL CARRIES,
A BRIDAL BOUQUET ALL WHITE.
THIRD ANGEL IS CARRYING,
A BEAUTIFUL CHAPLET
FOURTH ANGEL IS CARRYING,
FOURTH ANGEL IS CARRYING,
A GOLDEN WEDDING BAND.
FIFTH ANGEL IS CARRYING,
FROM GOD YOUR WEDDING VOWS.
SIXTH ANGEL IS CARRYING,
SIXTH ANGEL IS CARRYING,
ALL BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE.
THE NEXT SIX ANGELS,
A CROWN OF MYRTLE GREEN,
THEY PLACE UPON YOUR HEAD
THEY PLACE UPON YOUR HEAD.
TODAY TO MAKE YOU QUEEN.
O MY DEAR CHAPLET
ALL OF MYRTLE GREEN.
I AM SORRY,
TO PART WITH THEE,
THEN WITH MY FAMILY.
MY DEAR MOTHER,
I AM LEAVING YOU TODAY.
TO LIVE WITH ( GROOM'S NAME ),
TO LIVE WITH ( GROOM'S NAME ),
FOR HE AND I ARE WED.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS A POLISH TRADITION, USUALLY STILL SUNG IN POLISH AT
WEDDINGS. THE GUESTS GATHER IN A CIRCLE AROUND THE BRIDE AND
GROOM, AS THE BRIDE REMOVES HER VEIL. THIS SIGNIFIES THAT NOW SHE
BELONGS TO HIM. SHE PASSES HER VEIL FIRST TO THE MAID OF HONOR,
AND THEN ON TO THE OTHER BRIDESMAIDS AS THEY DANCE, SO THEY TOO CAN
SHARE HER JOY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN ; RIGHT HAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Marriage SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-12-1972