Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MAGIC
WHEN YOUR CIGARETTE BURNS ON ONE SIDE
ONLY, SOMEONE LOVES YOU.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IF A PITCHER PASSES A HORSEDRAWN CART WITH THREE
EMPTY BARRELS ON THE WAY TO THE GAME HE'LL PITCH
A SHUTOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
IF YOU PUT YOUR DRESS ON WRONGSIDE-OUT
YOU'LL GET A NEW ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
BIRD IN THE WINDOW
IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE AN OPEN WINDOW IN THE HOUSE
AND A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE, THERE IS SURE
TO BE A DEATH IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS AN OLD
POLISH TRADITION. AT ANY RATE, HER POLISH
MOTHER INFORMED HER OF THE BELIEF.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
SUPERSTITION
SING AT TABLE, YOU WILL MARRY A CRAZY MATE.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS
Where learned: NEIGHBORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
HAT OVERBOARD
IF A MAN'S HAT BLOWS OVERBOARD ON A BOAT,
HE IS MARKED FOR DROWNING.
Submitter comment: FROM MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-30-1967
OWLS
IF YOU SEE OR HEAR AN OWL IT IS
AN OMEN OF GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: FROM BOOK.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 10-30-1967
FOLK CURE- HEADACHE
IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE, TAKE THREE MATCHES AND LIGHT THEM.
TAKE A GLASS HALF FILLED WITH WATER AND LET THE MATCHES BURN
ALMOST TO THE END. THEN LET THE MATCHES DROP INTO THE WATER,
AND IF THE HEADS OF THE MATCHES DROP STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OF
THE GLASS, SOMEONE GAVE YOU THE EVIL EYE.
THEN YOU TAKE YOUR THUMB, FOREFINGER, AND INDEX FINGER, AND YOU
DIP THEM IN THE GLASS OF WATER. NEXT, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
ON YOUR FOREHEAD AND TAKE SOME MORE WATER AND PUT IT ON THE BACKS
OF BOTH HANDS. THEN YOU TAKE THE INSIDE HEM OF YOUR DRESS AND
YOU WIPE THE BACKS OF YOUR HANDS AND YOUR FOREHEAD ON THE HEM.
PUT A LITTLE BIT OF WATER ON THE HINGE IN THE CORNER OF A DOOR
SO THE HEADACHE WILL GO OUT THE DOOR AND POUR THE REMAINDER
OF THE WATER DOWN THE SINK AND TURN THE GLASS BOTTOMS-UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy SPEECH -- Gesture |
IT IS A BAD SIGN IF YOUR FINGERNAILS CURVE
OVER THE ENDS OF YOUR FINGERS.
YOU WILL DIE OF CONSUMPTION.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PREDICTION
CUT YOUR NAILS ON MONDAY, CUT THEM FOR NEWS.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON TUESDAY, A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON WEDNESDAY, CUT THEM FOR HEALTH.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON THURSDAY, CUT THEM FOR WEALTH.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON FRIDAY, CUT THEM FOR WOE.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON SATURDAY, A JOURNEY TO GO.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON SUNDAY, CUT THEM FOR EVIL,
FOR ALL THE NEXT WEEK YOU'LL BE RULED BY THE DEVIL.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
IF YOUR SECOND TOE IS LONGER THAN THE OTHER TOES IT IS A SIGN THAT
THE WOMAN WILL BE A DOMINEERING WIFE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
OMEN
IF YOUR SECOND TOE IS BIGGER THAN YOUR FIRST TOE, YUU'LL BE BOSS
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
GOOD LUCK
IF YOUR RIGHT "INDEX" TOE IS LONGER THAN YOUR RIGHT BIG TOE,YOU'LL
MARRY A RICH MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
WEDDING TOAST BELIEF
WHEN A BRIDE AND GROOM DRINK THEIR WEDDING TOAST, WHOEVER FINISHES
FIRST WILL RULE THE FAMILY.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): FIRST WEDDING TOAST
Date learned: COLLECTOR'S CHILDHOOD
BASKETBALL PLAYER'S SUPERSTITION
DURING WARMUP SHOTS, IF THE FIRST GUY MAKES HIS
SHOT, THEN THEY'LL WIN FOR SURE. BUT IF THE FIRST
GUY DOESN'T MAKE HIS BASKET, THIS IS A VERY BAD
OMEN AND BOTHERS THE TEAM A LOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
IN BASEBALL IT'S A BELIEF THAT IF YOU STRIKE OUT
THE FIRST BATTER YOU WILL LOSE.
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-24-1971
BASEBALL
IF A BATTER SWINGS AT THE FIRST PITCH
AND MISSES HE WILL STRIKE OUT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT: THIS IS VERY TRUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
BELIEF: LUCK
IF ANYONE GETS OUT OF BED IN THE MORNUNG WITH THE
LEFT FOOT FIRST, HE WILL HAVE AN UNLUCKY DAY AND HE WILL
BE BAD TEMPERED ALL DAY.
Where learned: WHERE WE BOTH WORK
Keyword(s): AWAKENING
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-31-1969
THE WAY YOU ACT ON YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THE WAY
YOU WILL BEHAVE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): FUNTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
CZECH CHRISTMAS BELIEF
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS, THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY TO RETURN HOME AND LOOK THROUGH THE KEYHOLE OF THE FRONT
DOOR OF HIS HOUSE WOULD SEE A VISION OF THE NEXT PERSON IN HIS
FAMILY TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 10-27-1969