Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P438.21 returned 213 results.
WHEN YOUR HAND ITCHES, THAT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE GETTING
SOME UNEXPECTED MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
TERRRI'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT IF SHE CONTINUES TO CRACK
HER KNUCKLES, THEY WILL BE SO BIG THAT SHE WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO PUT HER WEDDING RING ON, WHEN IT IS TIME FOR HER
TO GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
I HEARD THAT IF YOU CRACK YOUR KNUCKLES YOU WILL
HAVE ARTHRITIS WHEN YOU GET OLDER.
Submitter comment: SEE SQ830861-22 FOR A DIFFERENT VERSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001979CA
IF YOU SUCK YOUR THUMB IT WILL FALL OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; JACK AND JILL NURSERY SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
IF A WHITE SPOT APPEARS ON SOMEONE'S FINGERNAIL, IT MEANS THAT HE HAS
LIED.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
FINGER AND TOENAILS SHOULD BE CUT WITH CLIPPERS WHILE
THE NAILS ARE WET LIKE AFTER A SHOWER. DOING THIS
WILL ELIMINATE CRACKING AND SPLITTING OF NAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails |
Date learned: 00001977CA
Baby Belief
If a baby is born with open hands he/she will be generous.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
My mother always told me that when your hand itches it means
you will receive some money soon.
Submitter comment:
This was a hopeful superstition but not a very believable
one.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Louise
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Right hand itching
If your right hand itches, you will receive money.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT HAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Left hand itching
If your left hand itches, you will receive a letter.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
When the palm of your hand itches, this means money is coming
your way.
Submitter comment:
This informant strongly believes this saying. I heard him
yell out as he scratches the palm of his hand, "Money is coming
my way." I can't say I remember if money actually came his way
or not.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 02-10-1992
IT IS BAD LUCK TO MEET A LEFT-HANDED PERSON ON
TUESDAY.
Where learned: LETTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Bodily characteristics |
Date learned: 02-19-1970
IF TWO PEOPLE COMPARE ARMS, THEY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
A COMMON EXPRESSION OF THIS OCCURS WHEN PEOPLE
COMPARE TANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
IF YOUR NAIL BREAKS ON THE HOUR, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FINGERNAIL?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
NEVER SHAKE HANDS OVER A FENCE; IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
HER FATHER, A PENNSYLVANIA FARMER, ALWAYS BELIEVED
AND PRACTICED IT, EVEN TO THE POINT OF NOT SHAKING
HANDS OR WALKING AROUND THE FENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BARRIER
Date learned: 03-00-1968
BAD LUCK TO SLEEP WITH HANDS BEHIND HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 10-08-1965
IF YOUR RIGHT PALM ITCHES AND YOU SPIT ON IT, THEN
PLACE INSIDE YOUR SHIRT OVER YOUR HEART, YOU WILL
RECEIVE MONEY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities |
Date learned: 02-14-1967
THIS WAS COLLECTED 4/1/67 FROM MY MOTHER WHO WAS
RELATING SOME OF THE OLD WIVES' TALES CONCERNING
NEWBORN CHILDREN.
YOU SHOULD NEVER CUT THE FINGERNAILS OF A NEWBORN
CHILD, BUT RATHER, YOU SHOULD BITE THEM. FOR IF YOU
CUT THEM, THE CHILD WILL BECOME A THIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Date learned: 04-01-1967
IF YOUR PALM ITCHES, YOU WILL INHERIT MONEY.
Submitter comment: FROM AUNT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Date learned: 12-04-1967
TO CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAIL BEFORE HE REACHED HIS
FIRST BIRTHDAY WAS TO CUT OFF HIS INTELLIGENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-18-1971