Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Good Luck
If you put a penny in a purse and give the purse as a gift, the person receiving the gift will become rich.
Data entry tech comment:
Input by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GIFT ; GOOD LUCK ; LUCK ; MONEY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Don't split a pole while walking with another person because
you would break your bond with that person.
James Callow comment: See Puckett, Ohio, no. 21052, also s.v. "post."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01001954 CA
It has been a superstition in my family, that if you give
someone a gift that is sharp they should give to you a penny. You
also are expected to give the bearer of a sharp gift to you a
penny. Examples of sharp gifts are scissors, knife, or cookie
cutter. The meaning behind this superstition is that the sharp
gift could sever the friendship between the two people if the penny
is not given in return.
James Callow comment: See Hand, North Carolina I, no. 3577.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 03-00-1974
While I was stationed in West Germany, we lived within the
local community. One of our German neighbors presented us with a
house warming gift on a beautiful round wooden platter. The gift
consisted of a ceramic cup full of salt, a pfennig, and a loaf of
bread. The salt symbolized the spice of life, the pfennig
symbolized financial stability, and the loaf of bread symbolized
the absence of hunger.
Where learned: WEST GERMANY ; Neu Ulm
Date learned: 10-00-1985
Superstition
Break a mirror and you'll have seven years of bad luck. Open an
umbrella indoors and something bad will happen to you. Walk
underneath a ladder and you'll have an accident.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ECORSE
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Good Luck
If cats are always hanging around your house, that is a sign
of good luck.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
BEING ITALIAN, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT
ONCE COMPANY (REGARDLESS OF WHO) HAS ARRIVED
IF FOOD IS NOT OFFERED THEY (HOSTS) MAY BE
CONSIDERED INHOSPITABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00001950S
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CUSTOM IN OUR HOUSE THAT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE, CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR'S DAY, NO ONE COULD LEAVE
THE HOUSE, AND NO ONE WAS TO VISIT US. THIS TRADITION
HAS TO DO MAINLY WITH KEEPING THE FAMILY TOGETHER--
IF IT IS BROKEN, THERE WILL BEFALL SOME WRONG IN THE
HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
FRENCH CANADIAN
THE FIRST TIME ANYONE SEES A BABY, THEY SHOULD KISS
IT ON THE FOREHEAD TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND GOOD
HEALTH TO THE CHILD FOR THE REST OF ITS LIFE.
Submitter comment:
A FRENCH-CANADIAN LADY DID THIS TO MY BROTHER AND THEN
TOLD MY MOTHER WHY SHE HAD DONE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 10-10-1968
A WOMAN SHOULD NEVER ACCEPT AS A GIFT, A PEARL FROM
HER HUSBAND OR LOVER BECAUSE IT IS BAD LUCK.
SHE SHOULD BUY IT FROM HIM FOR A PENNY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE WOMEN ABOARD SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-15-1968
IN THE OLD DAYS OF SAIL, IT WAS DEEMED UNLUCKY BY
THE SAILORS TO HAVE ANY WOMAN ABOARD SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WOMEN ON SHIPS ARE BAD LUCK.
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
DON'T BRING A WOMAN ON BOARD SHIP BECAUSE IT IS
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WOMEN ARE BAD LUCK ON SHIPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 02-28-1970
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE A WOMAN ON A SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-03-1971
HAVING WOMEN ON A MILITARY VESSEL IS BAD LUCK FOR
THE SHIP AND MEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-17-1971
NO WOMEN ARE ALLOWED IN THE COAL MINES FOR IT IS
BELIEVED THAT THERE WOULD BE A MAJOR CATASTROPHE IF
ANY WOMEN WERE THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Sex |
Date learned: 11-17-1969
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A COUPLE TO HAVE THEIR PICTURE
TAKEN TOGETHER. IT WILL LEAD TO A BREAK-UP IN
THE ROMANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Photography
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
IT'S BAD LUCK TO HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH YOUR
BOYFRIEND.
James Callow Keyword(s): Photography
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 04-15-1971