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 P477 returned 904 results.
IF A WOMAN WALKED INTO A ROOM WHERE BEER WAS
FERMENTING, AND SHE WAS IN HER MONTHLY PERIOD,
YOU'D HAVE A SPOILED BATCH OF BEER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RELATED BELIEF BUT DID NOT HOLD
CREDENCE IN IT HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
A PIGEON IS SUPPOSED TO BE GREEDY, SO PIGEON-
TOED PERSONS ARE BRANDED AS STINGY.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIEND.
Where learned: LIVING ROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-16-1967
IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING, DON'T GO BACK FOR IT; IT'S
A SIGN OF DISAPPOINTMENT. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SIT
DOWN AND COUNT TO TEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
THE NATIVES OF SOME ISLANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN WILL
NOT LET YOU TAKE THEIR PICTURE, AS THEY FEEL THAT
IN TAKING THEIR PICTURE YOU WILL ALSO TAKE
THEIR SOUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
AROUND OUR HOUSE, WHEN SOMEONE IS TALKING AND THEN
FORGETS WHAT HE IS GOING TO SAY, THE PEOPLE
LISTENING SAY THAT HE WAS GOING TO LIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): FORGETTING.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
IF A MALE SITS AT THE CORNER OF A TABLE, HE'LL
NEVER GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-13-1969
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD AT THE SAME TIME, YOU
CAN MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS BY MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
SUPERSTITION
THERE'S THIS EASTERN EUROPEAN SUPERSTITION THAT IF YOU'RE LYING DOWN AND SOMEONE JUMPS OVER YOU, HE HAS TO JUMP BACK OVER YOU OR YOU'LL DIE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 07-22-1968
GIRLS WHO WEAR WHITE BOOTS ARE FRIGID.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THERE IS A SCULPTURED OWL ABOUT YEA HIGH (2 FT.)
ON DE PAUU U. CAMPUS WHICH WILL HOOT WHEN A VIRGIN
WALKS BY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
THERE IS A STATUE ON CAMPUS OF GENERAL GEORGE MORGAN
JONES, LOCAL CIVIL WAR HERO. IT IS SAID THAT IF A
VIRGIN WALKS BY HIM, HE WILL DRAW HIS SWORD.
Submitter comment: IT DOESN'T WORK.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; LYNCHBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001964-1968
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: BETHESDA ; MARYLAND, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOUR EARS RING, SOMEONE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU.
IF A PORTION OF YOUR SKIRT HEM IS TURNED UP, YOUR BOY-FRIEND IS THINKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: BETHESDA ; MARYLAND, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Observation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT YOU CAME INTO A ROOM TO
GET, GO BACK TO WHERE YOU STARTED AND COME IN AGAIN
AND YOU WILL THINK OF IT.
Submitter comment: IT WORKS FOR ME. THIS PROBABLY HAS TRUE ASSOCIATIONAL
Where learned: SOURCE UNKNOWN ; BETHESDA ; MARYLAND, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ALTHOUGH THE PUERTO RICAN PEASANT (JIBARO) WALKS INTO
THE SEA DURING FESTIVAL (AT MIDNIGHT ON THE SAINT'S DAY), HE WILL NOT GO IN ANY OTHER TIME. HE CANNOT SWIM.
THIS IS A PURPOSEFUL OMISSION. IN THE PAST, MANY OF
THEM MADE A GOOD PART OF THEIR LIVING FISHING IN WATERS
WHICH WERE OCCASIONALLY KNOWN TO BE SHARK INFESTED.
THE THEORY WAS THAT IF YOU COULDN'T SWIM, YOU WOULD
DROWN QUICKLY IF YOU FELL IN. THEN YOU WOULDN'T FEEL
IT WHEN THE SHARK GOT YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
Keyword(s): Peasant ; Poor ; Puerto Rico ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
ALONG THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST, ESPECIALLY AROUND PARLEY'S ISLAND,
A STORY HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION OF THE
"GREY GHOST." THE STORY ORIGINATED PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR TIMES.
THE STORY BEGAN FROM A YOUNG MAN RETURNING HOME FROM A WAR TO
FIND HIS FIANCEE MARRIED. HE ONLY PEEPED IN A WINDOW AND FOUND
HER HAPPY, WHICH WAS HIS MAIN DESIRE, AND SO HE TURNED FROM THE
HOME AND WALKED INTO THE OCEAN.
ON MANY OCCASIONS, THE GREY GHOST HAS RETURNED AS A WARNING OF
IMPENDING TROUBLE OR DISASTER. THE LAST SUCH OCCURANCES WAS
DURING THE APPROACH OF THE HURRICANE, HAZEL, IN 1955. THE PEOPLE
IN CHARGE OF EVACUATING PARLEY'S ISLAND HAD CHECKED EACH HOUSE,
BUT AS THEY LEFT THE ISLAND, THEY SAW THE FIGURE OF THE GREY
GHOST IN A LIGHTED WINDOW WATCHING OVER THE ISLAND.
DURING MY VACATION ON THE ISLAND A FEW YEARS AGO, TWO TEENAGE
BOYS WERE WALKING ON THE BEACH BEFORE A THUNDER AND WIND STORM
ARRIVED, AND DECLARED THEY SAW A FIGURE WALKING TOWARD THEM. BUT
AS THEY CAME NEARER, THE FIGURE DISAPPEARED. WHEN THEY CAME
INSIDE, THEY WERE AS WHITE AS A SHEET, AS IF THEY HAD SEEN A
GHOST.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SUICIDE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-08-1969
THE GHOST OF RESTON
RESTON, VIRGINIA, NEAR WASHINGTON, D. C., IS NOW A NEW TOWN
BUT WAS ONCE THE SITE OF A BEAUTIFUL MANSION, ALSO KNOWN AS
RESTON. A YOUNG GIRL WITH LONG BLONDE HAIR LIVED HERE LONG
AGO. SHE WAS COURTED BY A MAN WHO BECAME INSANELY JEALOUS AND
IN A FIT OF ANGER, KILLED AND DECAPITATED HER, TAKING THE HEAD
WITH HIM IN HIS FLIGHT. THE HEADLESS BODY WAS BURIED ON THE
GROUNDS OF RESTON, BUT THE HEAD WAS NEVER DISCOVERED. SEARCHING
FOR HER HEAD, THE "GHOST OF RESTON" HAUNTED THE MANSION UNTIL
IT WAS DEMOLISHED.
WITHOUT A HOUSE OR HEAD NOW, SHE CONTINUES TO HAUNT LONELY ROADS
AND WOODS NEAR THE TOWN OF RESTON, AND HAS RECENTLY APPEARED
TO SEVERAL CARLOADS OF TEENAGERS, WHO HAVE MADE A HOBBY OF
"GHOSTWATCHING." SHE SEEMS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN BLONDE GIRLS
LIKE HERSELF, FOR WHEN A CAR CONTAINING A BLONDE PARKED NEAR HER
HAUNTS, SHE NOT ONLY APPEARED BUT DREW CLOSE TO THE CAR AND TRIED
TO ENTER THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE GIRL INSIDE SCREAMED AND
THE GHOST DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1969
A HOUSE IN CLIFTON FORGE, VIRGINIA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED.
IT WAS SAID THAT A MAN AND HIS WIFE USED TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE.
THE MAN DIED MYSTERIOUSLY AND DISAPPEARED. HE WAS THOUGHT TO BE
BURIED ON THE HILL JUST ABOVE THE HOUSE. HIS WIFE DIED ABOUT A
YEAR AFTER HE DID AND IT IS SAID THAT SHE HAUNTS THE HOUSE
AND CARRIES A LIGHT UPON THE HILLSIDE LOOKING FOR HER HUSBAND'S
GRAVE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
MY GRANDMOTHER SAID THAT SHE LIVED IN A HOUSE BETWEEN MIDDLEBROOK
AND GREENVILLE, VIRGINIA. THE MAN WHEN SHE MOVED IN SAID NOT TO
PAY ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT SHE HEARD IN THE HOUSE, BUT SHE DID.
ONE MORNING, THEY WERE SETTING AT THE TABLE EATING WHEN UPSTAIRS
IN THE ROOM WHERE HIS WIFE HAD A SPINNING WHEEL, SHE HEARD THE
WHEEL SPINNING. SHE WENT UP INTO THE ROOM BUT THE WHEEL WAS TIED
UP JUST LIKE IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN. HIS WIFE HAD DIED IN THIS HOUSE
AND THEY COULD HEAR HER CHINA WASH BOWL RATTLE MANY TIMES AND
NOBODY COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THE ROOM BECAUSE THEY KEPT IT LOCKED.
THEY DID NOT LIVE IN THAT HOUSE VERY LONG.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS GHOSTLY NOISE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THERE IS A HOUSE IN VERONA, VIRGINIA AND IF YOU GO THERE AT
NIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THIS MAN IN A CAGE AND HIS WIFE IS BEATING
HIM. HOWEVER, YOU CAN'T FIND THE HOUSE IN THE DAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; VIRGINIA ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; VERONA ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-07-1969