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 870 returned 2149 results.
APRON
IF YOU HAVE ON AN APRON, AND IT DROPS ON THE FLOOR, THAT IS A
SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
MARRIAGE
WHEN BIRDS FLY OVER YOUR HOUSE, THAT IS A SIGN OF MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; BRIGGS BUILDING
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
SWEEP
IF YOU SWEEP A MAN'S FOOT WITH A BROOM, THAT IS A SIGN THAT YOU
WANT TO GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU DO NOT EAT EVERYTHING ON YOUR PLATE AND YOU ARE A MALE, YOU
YOU WILL HAVE A HOMELY WIFE. IF YOU ARE A FEMALE, YOU WILL HAVE A
HOMELY OR POOR HUSBAND.
Submitter comment:
AS A CHILD I FIRMLY BELIEVED IN THIS. UNDER THE PERSUASION OF MY
MOTHER, I MANAGED TO EAT ALL OF MY VEGETABLES FOR THIS REASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
DINNER BELIEF
IF YOU DROP CHOPSTICKS ON THE GROUND THEN SOMEBODY'S GOING TO INVITE
YOU TO DINNER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
BUG
IF A LIGHTING BUG ENTERS YOUR HOME. THAT IS A SIGN, THAT A STRANGER
IS COMING TO YOUR HOUSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LIGHTNING BUG FIREFLY INSECT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
WHEN YOU SEE AN OLIVE TREE
1. OLIVE TREE IS GREEN--SAD THING WILL HAPPEN.
2. OLIVE TREE IS DEAD--YOU WILL WIN OUT WITH YOUR ENEMIES.
3. FULL OF LEAVES AND FLOWERS--MONEY IS COMING TO YOU.
4. SEE YOURSELF HOLDING AN OLIVE BRANCH--
MEANS YOU WILL BE GETTING MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
WOMAN
IF A WOMAN ENTERS YOUR HOME FIRST ON MONDAY MORNING, IT IS SAID
THAT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE WEEK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THIS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
ITCHING EYES
IF YOUR LEFT EYE ITCHES, YOU'LL CRY. IF YOUR RIGHT EYE ITCHES,
YOU'LL LAUGH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
BLACK BIRD
IF A BLACK BIRD FLIES INTO THE HOUSE, IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS
GOING TO DIE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY GRANDMOTHER, AND THIS IS APPARENTLY A CHILDHOOD
BELIEF.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
Ethnic:Polish Superstition
IF A YOUNG GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE, SHE WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR EARS ARE RINGING, SOMEONE IS SAYING SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT
YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-17-1971
NUMBER OF CHILDREN GIRL WILL HAVE
WHEN A GIRL RECEIVES GIFTS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF
BOWS THAT SHE BREAKS WILL BE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE REMEMBERS THIS FROM ALL
HER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
BELIEF HOUSEHOLD OBJECT
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE IT MEANS A WOMAN IS COMING TO VISIT. IF YOU
DROP A FORK THEN A MAN IS COMING TO VISIT. IF YOU DROP A TEASPOON
A CHILD IS COMING TO VISIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
SUPERSTITION (COURTSHIP BELIEF)
IF A GUY GIVES YOU A RING THAT IS SILVER, IF IT BECOMES BENT OR
BROKEN YOU WILL BREAK UP WITH THE GUY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
DEATH OMEN
IF BIRD FLIES UP AGAINST THE WINDOW OF A HOUSE, DEATH IS JUST
AROUND THE CORNER FOR ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE THAT SHE CAN REMEMBER.
A BIRD FLEW UP AGAINST THE WINDOW OF MY LATE GRANDFATHER'S BEDROOM
AND SHORTLY AFTER HE DIED IN THE HOSPITAL. SHE BELIEVES IN THIS
OMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF A PERSON HAPPENS TO TRIP ON A GRAVE AFTER LEAVING A FUNERAL,
HE OR SHE WILL BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID WHEN SOMEONE IN ROMANIA CANNOT EXPLAIN A DEATH THEY
TRACE IT BACK TO THIS. INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT BUT KNOWS
FRIENDS WHO DO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU SING WHILE EATING AT THE TABLE YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND OR WIFE
WILL BE AN IDIOT.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER HEARING THIS AS A SMALL CHILD FROM MY GRANDMOTHER WHO
ACTUALLY CONVINCED ME IT WAS TRUE. AS I GREW OLDER, I CHANGED MY
MIND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-26-1971
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
MANY TIMES NEWLWEDS WILL DROP A JAR OR VASE AND THE NUMBER OF
PIECES IT BREAKS INTO IS THE NUMBER OF YEARS THEY WILL REMAIN
MARRIED.
ITALIAN? NO, PROBABLY ENGLISH, POSSIBLY GERMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-30-1969
OBSERVATION/OMEN
IF YOU SIT AT THE CORNER OF A TABLE YOU ARE TO MARRY SOON. ROMANIAN
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |