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 P682.4 returned 192 results.
Always say a prayer in a new car before you drive it. Also
hang a cross from the rear view mirror. This will assure you of
the longest and the most careful, safe ride.
Submitter comment:
My father told this to me when he bought my first car and I
have done it to every car that I have owned since.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Always wear a cross around your neck or put your prayers in
your shoe.
Submitter comment:
I was always told to keep my prayers in my shoe to keep evil
spirits away.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
How To Become Invisible
Find a black cat. On a full moon go to where the roads cross
and boil a kettle of water. Drop the cat into the water. Boil
the flesh off the bones. Put the bone between your eyes and then
in your mouth. This will allow you to become invisible. Take
the bone out of your mouth and you will become visible again.
James Callow comment:
See Hyatt 5: nos. 10061, 10076, 10078, 10082-10086, 10091-
10095, etc. for the invisibility (disappearance) effect. Also
see Hyatt 1: 74-97 for an earlier section on the black cat bone.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-10-1992
keep a horseshoe with a palm leaf made in the shape of a
cross over the bedroom door; this will assure a happy, positive,
loving marriage.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
POLISH CUSTOM
THE "SIGN OF THE CROSS" WAS MADE OVER FRESHLY BAKED
BREAD AS A PREVENTIVE AGAINST THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE INFORMANT'S FRENCH-CANADIAN GRANDMOTHER, CALLED
"MIMI" BY HER GRANDCHILDREN, TURNED FRESH BAKED
BREAD OVER AND CUT A CROSS IN IT BEFORE SLICING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN STATE STUDENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BEFORE CUTTING AN UNSLICED LOAF OF BREAD, SOME PEOPLE
CUT A SIGN OF THE CROSS INTO THE CRUST.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER, A GERMAN AMERICAN, DID THIS
REGULARLY. THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW THE BELIEF
BEHIND THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
BEFORE CUTTING UNSLICED BREAD, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE
CROSS ON IT WITH THE KNIFE YOU WILL USE TO SLICE
THE BREAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD AND SAW THIS PRACTICED AS A CHILD
(1920S) AND ACTUALLY PRACTICES IT TODAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920S
PROTECTION
BEFORE YOU GO TO BED, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
ON YOUR PILLOW SO GOD WILL PROTECT YOU THROUGH
THE NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT AND IT FALLS ON THE
GROUND, YOU ARE TO PICK IT UP AND MAKE THE SIGN OF
THE CROSS WITH IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
AFTER HAVING BREAD OR ANY FOOD BLESSED BY A PRIEST
YOU MUST FIRST MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH A
KNIFE ON THE UNDERSIDE BEFORE EATING OR CUTTING
THE FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
BEFORE A JOURNEY, PUT A CROSS IN THE ROAD, A CROSS
ON THE WAGON OR VEHICLE OF TRAVEL, AND CROSS
YOURSELF AND YOU'LL HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
ITALIAN BELIEF
WHEN YOU MAKE BREAD DOUGH, AFTER KNEADING IT, YOU
MUST MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS OVER IT, OR
IT WON'T RISE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM,
DONE ESPECIALLY ON ST. ANTHONY'S FEAST DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
A FALLING STAR MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS SELLING HIS SOUL
TO THE DEVIL. IF YOU WISH TO SAVE THE SOUL, MAKE
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
POOR CIRCULATION IN FEET
MAKE THE SIGN OF A CROSS ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FEET
WHEN IT GOES TO SLEEP AND IT WILL WAKE UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 05-13-1969
THE WEARING OF A CRUCIFIX WILL WARD OFF EVIL IF IT
IS MADE OF SILVER.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; NORTH DADE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES
THE USE OF A CROSS BETWEEN YOUR EYES AND THE VAMPIRES
WILL PROTECT YOU FROM HIM (?).
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
SPANISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU HANG A CRUCIFIX
OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR, IT WILL PROTECT YOU FROM THE
SPIRITS OF THE DEAD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 02-22-1972
PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES
A HANGING CROSS MADE OF ROWAN WOOD TIED TOGETHER
WITH RED THREAD AND SAYING:
HOLY TREE, RED THREAD,
SAVE US NOW FROM THOSE UNDEAD.
WILL PROTECT ONE FROM A VAMPIRE.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.646 BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
IF A PERSON WEARS A CROSS IT KEEPS THE DEVIL AND
VAMPIRES AWAY FROM HIM.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN