Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DETERMINING THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT AND YOUR STOMACH IS SHAPED LIKE A FOOTBALL, IT'S
A BOY. IF IT'S SHAPED LIKE A BASKETBALL, IT'S A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
BELIEF
A GIRL WHO SINGS AT THE TABLE WILL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THIS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
BEFORE YOU EAT AN APPLE, TWIST THE STEM, AND SAY A LETTER OF THE
ALPHABET, BEGINNING WITH A, FOR EACH TURN. WHEN THE STEM BREAKS THE
LETTER SAID WILL BE THE FIRST LETTER IN
YOUR FUTURE MATE'S LAST NAME.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM MY CLASSMATES IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC, LYRICAL DEALS WITH EMOTIONS NOT STORY
SNEEZE ON MONDAY, SNEEZE FOR DANGER;
SNEEZE ON TUESDAY, KISS A STRANGER;
SNEEZE ON WEDNESDAY, SNEEZE FOR A LETTER;
SNEEZE ON THURSDAY, SOMETHING BETTER;
SNEEZE ON FRIDAY, SNEEZE FOR SORROW;
SNEEZE ON SATURDAY, SEE LOVE TOMORROW.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL VERSE. IT IS A CHAIN TALE
BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT IS TOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COFFIN ONSTAGE.
IF THERE IS A COFFIN ONSTAGE, SOMEONE CLOSE TO THE ACTOR WILL
DIE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME BECAUSE I HAD TWO FRIENDS WHO
DIED ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER WHERE I WAS OPENING IN
DRACULA.
Submitter comment: MISS BRINKLEY ASSURED ME THAT THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GHOST STORY
MY SISTER HELEN WAS ILL AND I WAS LIVING IN ANOTHER TOWN. I HAD
A DOG THEN AND ONE NIGHT THIS DOG STARTED HOWLING AND I COULDN'T
GET HIM TO SHUT UP. IT HOWLED ALL NIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING,
I GOT A CALL FROM SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THAT MY SISTER HAD DIED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TRUE AND MY GRANDMOTHER STILL REMEMBERS HOW SHE
FELT WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
DEATH CUSTOM
IF A WHITE DOVE FLEW DOWN YOUR CHIMMEY, THAT WAS A SIGN THAT SOMEBODY
WAS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
OMEN
DO NOT CROSS YOUR EYES OR THEY WILL STAY THAT WAY.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER TOLD ME THIS TO STOP ME FROM CROSSING MY EYES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA00001965
OMEN
IF YOU DO NOT WORRY ABOUT A TEST YOU JUST TOOK, THEN THE
NEXT ONE WILL BE EVEN WORSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
OMEN
IF YOU DO NOT KNOCK ALL OF THE SNOW OFF YOUR SHOES BEFORE YOU ENTER
THE HOUSE JACK FROST WILL GET MAD AND MAKE IT SNOW.
Submitter comment: HER MOTHER TOLD HER THIS TO MAKE HER WIPE HER FEET
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CUSTOM
WHEN A CHILD GETS TO BE ONE YEAR OLD YOU PUT A WHISKEY GLASS, A BOOK.
SOME MONEY, AND A HAMMER IN FRONT OF HIM. WHICHEVER ONE HE REACHES
FOR INDICATES WHAT HE'LL GROW UP TO BE LIKE--A DRUNK, AN EDUCATED
PERSON, A RICH PERSON, OR A LABORER. MY FAMILY TOLD ME LATER THAT
I REACHED FOR THE BOOK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
REMEDY
I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER CURING A YOUNG CHILD OF A FEAR. IT'S A
RITUAL. WHEN A CHILD IS AFRAID OF SOMETHING, YOU GET SOME WHITE ROCK.
IT'S A SOFT ROCK, I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. THE ROCK IS PUT INTO A
SKILLET AND HEATED. AS IT HEATS, IT SOFTENS, AND IT WILL FORM INTO A
FIGURE OF WHAT THE CHILD IS AFRAID OF. THE FEAR IS REMOVED FROM THE
CHILD THIS WAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION DIVINATION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; MEXICAN-AMERICAN CURE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
LEFT EYE JUMPING MEANS SOMEONE WANTS TO SEE YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GIVES A VERY SIMPLISTIC EXPLANATION FOR THE BELIEF.
SINCE THE PURPOSE OF THE EYE IS VISION, HE EXPLAINS A
JUMPING EYE AS IN NEED OF VISION. HOWEVER, THE NEED IS SEEN
IN SOMEONE ELSE. SOMEONE WANTS TO SEE YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-20-1979
SUPERSTITION
STEPPING OVER THE BROOM HANDLE MEANS YOU'LL SOON BE MARRIED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT ONCE, AS A CHILD, SHE STEPPED OVER A BROOM
THAT WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR, AND REMEMBERS HER MOTHER STATING
THE BELIEF THAT SHE WOULD SOON BE MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage |
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR LEFT FOOT ITCHES YOU'LL SOON WALK ON GRAVEYARD DUST. IF YOUR
RIGHT FOOT ITCHES YOU'LL SOON WALK IN A STRANGE LAND.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT THIS BELIEF WAS WIDESPREAD IN
YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD, ABOUT 40 YEARS
AGO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
SUPERSTITION
A BIRD IN THE HOUSE IS A SIGN OF BAD LUCK, MORE SPECIFICALLY,
A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT SHE REMEMBERS HEARING THIS BELIEF FROM
HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS ALIVE, BUT OFFERS NO EXPLANATION
FOR THE BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-13-1979
SUPERSTITION
DROPPED SILVERWARE MEANS SOMEONE WANTS TO COME OVER. IF IT IS A
FORK, IT IS A MAN WHO WANTS TO COME OVER. IF IT IS A SPOON,
IT IS A WOMAN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LACKED AN EXPLANATION BUT NOTES THAT AS A CHILD,
SHE CAN REMEMBER, IN FAIRY TALES, THE SPOON BEING SYMBOLIC OF
A FEMALE, AND A FORK BEING SYMBOLIC OF A MALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-20-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU PUT THE CREAM IN YOUR COFFEE BEFORE THE SUGAR YOU WILL
LOSE YOUR BEAU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): ORDER
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU HIT YOUR MOTHER OR FATHER YOUR HAND WILL DRY UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-11-1979
FORTUNE TELLING RICE BIRDS OF INDONESIA
IN INDONESIA A VENDER COME AROUND THE HOUSE WITH THREE
LITTLE RICE BIRDS IN A CAGE. HE WOULD ASK IF HE COULD
TELL YOUR FORTUNE FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS. IF ALLOWED,
HE WOULD THROW RICE INTO THE CAGE OF BIRDS. IF THE BIRDS
ATE THE RICE, YOU WOULD HAVE SEVEN YEARS OF STARVATION, BE-
CAUSE EVERYTHING HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED. IF THEY DIDN'T EAT
ALL THE RICE, YOU WOULD HAVE SEVEN YEARS OF SUCCESS AND
GOOD LUCK. THE IDEA WAS TO GET THE VENDER AFTER HE HAS
BEEN TO ALL THE OTHER HOUSES, BY THAT TIME THE BIRDS WOULD
BE TOO FULL OF RICE, YOU COULD NOT HELP BUT GET GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): AUSPEXY ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer 870 Favorites BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950