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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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Don't leave your purse on the floor or you will never have
any money.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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Cure

To help a open wound heal fast, one should put a piece of
salt pork and a penny on it. However, one should also put a
towel in his or her mouth before doing this because it will
burn.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 02-12-1992

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Gossiping

If someone is gossiping about you (sullying your good name),
put a penny in your shoe for a week and "walk" that person out of
your life.

Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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DON'T PUT YOUR PURSE ON THE FLOOR, OR YOU WILL NOT GET ANY
MONEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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Putting your purse on the floor meant that you would never be
able to keep any money.

James Callow comment: Puckett, Ohio, no. 20178: "If you place your pocketbook on
the floor, you will have little money."

Where learned: GEORGIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 01001910 CA

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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

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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

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert Bread, rolls, etc.
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 10-00-1985

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Never sit your purse on the floor; to do so would cause a
person to always be short of cash.

Submitter comment: The floor denotes scraping the bottom, and you will never
obtain the money you'd like to have.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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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

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If your left eye jumps, money is on its way.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Eye twitch

Date learned: 02-10-1992

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If your right hand itch, look for money to come your way.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA

James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet

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If your left hand itch, you are going to lose the money you
have.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA

James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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IF YOU EAT BLACK-EYED PEAS AND COLLARD GREENS ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY, YOU WILL HAVE MONEY ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM SHE
WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
AND HER GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 02-00-1967

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A PERSON WITH A STYE IN THEIR EYE WILL INHERIT MONEY.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Use of Object Food

Date learned: 11-11-1967

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ONE MUST NEVER ACCEPT A PUPPY OR KITTEN WITHOUT PAYING
SOMETHING FOR IT, EVEN A PENNY. IT IS BELIEVED THAT
THE ANIMAL WILL NOT BRING JOY TO ITS NEW OWNER UNLESS
THERE IS A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION OF SOME KIND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 00-00-1966

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WASH YOUR HANDS WITH A QUARTER TO INSURE THAT YOU WILL HAVE
MONEY FOR THE YEAR.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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ITALIAN SUPERSTITION

DON'T THROW MONEY ON A BED OR YOU'LL LOSE IT.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER WHO ONCE LIVED IN ITALY.

Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Daily Life
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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IF YOUR PALM ITCHES, YOU WILL SOON GET MONEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet

Date learned: 03-10-1967

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AFTER I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE TWITCHY NOSE A COUPLE WEEKS
AGO, I REMEMBERED ANOTHER LITTLE STORY. MY MOTHER
ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF MY NOSE TWITCHED, I WOULD BECOME
RICH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose

Date learned: 05-01-1965

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