Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PREDICTION
IF YOUR PALM ITCHES IT IS SAID THAT YOU WILL SOON COME INTO MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
PREDICTION
IF YOU DROP A SPOON, YOU WILL HAVE A WOMAN VISITOR. IF YOU DROP A
FORK, YOU WILL HAVE A MALE VISITOR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
SUPERSTITION
NEVER LEAVE A DRAWER OPEN BECAUSE YOU WILL DIE WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN.
Submitter comment:
AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER MY MOTHER HAS SAID THIS TO ME TO GET ME
TO SHUT DOORS AND DRAWERS. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT BELIEVE IT, IT BROKE
ME OF THE HABIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-20-1971
EAR
IF YOUR EAR BURNS THAT IS A SIGN THAT SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
FORK
IF YOU DROP A FORK ON THE FLOOR, THAT MEANS THAT COMPANY IS COMING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
JAIL
IF A PERSON SWEEPS HIS FOOT WITH A BROOM, THAT MEANS HE WILL GO TO
JAIL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
SEW
IF YOU SEW A BUTTON ON A PIECE OF GARMENT WHILE YOU HAVE IT ON, THAT
MEANS THAT YOU WILL BREAK YOUR LEG.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF A YOUNG GIRL WETS THE WHOLE FRONT OF HER DRESS WHILE WASHING
DISHES SHE WILL HAVE A LOT OF KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
BAKING, BELIEF IN DEATH AND OMEN
"IF YOU BAKE BREAD (HOMEMADE BREAD WITH YEAST) WHEN SOMEONE IS ILL
AT HOME AND THE BREAD RAISES AND FALLS, THE ILL PERSON
WILL DIE."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE EXPERIENCE WHICH HAPPENED IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN
DURING THE 1940'S. MY MOTHER HEARD THIS FRON SOME OF HER FRIENDS
WHO BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-14-1971
PREDICTION
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL EITHER KISS A FOOL SOON OR YOU WILL
HAVE A FIGHT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
PREDICTION: RAILROAD TRACKS
WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE NUMBER OF CARS IN
THE TRAIN IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS REMAINING IN YOUR LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
OBSERVATION
ONLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE CATTLE TALK AMONG
THEMSELVES. THEY TALK OF THE DAY, DURING THE NEW YEAR WHEN THEY WILL
CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETERY.
CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETARY.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER DURING THE EARLY 1900'S. IT WAS
CONSIDERED TO BE OLD SAYING EVEN THEN. DURING THE 1800'S ONE MAN
DID DIE AND HIS CATTLE TOWED HIS BODY TO THE CEMETERY (THIS COULD
HAVE BEEN THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 11-14-1971
PROVERBS: MONEY
"WHEN THE RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL LOSE MONEY, WHEN THE LEFT
HAND ITCHES YOU WILL GET MONEY." THE REASONING BEHIND THIS IS THAT
WE OFTEN TAKE OUR WALLET FROM A POCKET WITH OUR LEFT HAND AND WE
REACH INTO THE WALLET TO HAND OUT THE MONEY WITH OUR RIGHT HAND.
WHEN RECEIVING THE MONEY WE PUT IT IN OUR BILLFOLD WHICH IS IN OUR
LEFT HAND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS SAYING FROM WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER. IT WAS
A COMMON BELIEF AND SAYING OF EARLIER DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU ARE GOING TO A PLACE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND YOU FIND A PIECE
OF STRING OR THREAD ON THE GARMENT YOU ARE WEARING, YOU WILL HAVE
A GOOD TIME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD
AND SHE STILL LOOKS FOR THREADS EVERYTIME SHE PUTS ON A DRESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
REALIZATION OF DEATH
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT WHEN HIS LITTLE BROTHER WAS IN MT. CARMEL
HOSPITAL SUFFERING FROM CYSTIC FIBROSIS, HE WAS IN AN OXYGEN TENT.
A DAY OR TWO BEFORE HE DIED HE SUDDENLY THREW HIS OXYGEN MASK AWAY
WHEN HIS MOTHER ASKED HIM WHY, HE REPLIED, "MOMMY, I'M ALL DONE", AND
AND THEN WENT INTO A COMA. HE DIED IN 1968 AT THE AGE OF NINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
PREDICTION
A KNIFE DROPPED ON THE FLOOR MEANS YOU WILL HAVE A MAN VISITOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
POLISH SUPERSTITION
"WHEN A STATIONARY OBJECT, LIKE A PICTURE ON THE WALL WOULD FALL DOWN
OR RATTLE, A CHAIR OR TABLE WOULD MOVE FOR WHAT SEEMED NO APPARENT
REASON, IT MEANS THAT A RELATIVE HAD JUST DIED OR IS DYING".
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WORKS WITH MY FATHER AT FORD MOTOR CO., DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
AND TOLD THIS POLISH SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
OMEN
WHEN YOUR NOSE ITCHES, IT MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO KISS A FOOL SOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
PREDICTION
A FORK DROPPED ON THE FLOOR MEANS YOU WILL HAVE A WOMAN VISITOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
OBSERVATION OF EXCHANGE MEDIUM
IF THE PALM OF YOUR HAND ITCHES, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME
MONEY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT CLAIMS THIS WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-20-1972