Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P880 returned 670 results.
GAME SUPERSTITION
IF A PERSON HITS MOST OF HIS SHOTS IN A BASKETBALL
WARM UP, HE WILL MISS THEM IN A GAME, AND VICE VERSA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.6 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SUPERSTITON
AN ENGLISH IVY PLANT IN THE HOUSE WILL BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT STRONGLY BELIEVES THIS. SHE CLAIMS THAT WHENEVER SHE
HAD SUCH A PLANT IN THE HOUSE, THE RESULT WAS NOTHING BUT BAD LUCK
UNTIL SHE DISPOSED OF THE PLANT.
Where learned: SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
CARD BELIEF
CUT THIN AND WIN. CUT DEEP AND WEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): CARD-PLAYING ; ELLIPSIS ; RHYME PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport S555.500 PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CRIMINAL BELIEF
THIS PERSON RECALLS BELIEVING THAT A CRIMINAL ALWAYS RETURNS TO
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME. HE RECALLS FAITHFULLY
WATCHING FOR THE CULPRIT WHO STOLE HIS FAVORITE TOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Common law BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
IT IS BAD LUCK TO LEAVE A HOUSEHOLD YOU ARE VISITING ON THE HALF OR
QUARTER HOURS. ONE MAY ONLY LEAVE ON THE HOUR. THIS IS AN OLD IRISH
PLOY TO KEEP THE GUESTS FROM LEAVING.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
LEGEND
IF YOU NEED MONEY, ONE WAY TO GET IT IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD
RELATIVE. ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE AND STAMP IT JUST LIKE YOU WERE
MAILING THE LETTER. THEN PUT IT ON TOP OF A GLASS OF WATER AND
PLACE THEM UNDER YOUR BED. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE
RELATIVE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU THE NUMBERS FOR THE
NUMBERS RACKET THE NEXT DAY. SO A LADY DID THIS, SHE WROTE TO HER
DEAD BABY SISTER AND PUT THE LETTER ON A GLASS OF WATER UNDER HER
BED. SHE WOKE UP DURING THE NIGHT WHEN SHE FELT SOMEONE GETTING
INTO BED WITH HER. SHE LOOKED AND IT WAS THE BODY OF AN ADULT WITH
THE HEAD OF HER BABY SISTER. SHE RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RAN
DOWN THE STREET SCREAMING. AND SHE'S BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY, THE PERSON WHO TOLD IT TO HER
WARNED HER TO BE SURE NOT TO TRY IT. SHE THINKS IT,S A SILLY STORY,
BUT SHE WON'T TRY TO DISPROVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
EASTER CROSS
AN ITALIAN EASTER CUSTOM IS TO MAKE A CROSS OUT OF THE PALM LEAVES
RECEIVED IN CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY. THIS CROSS IS MOUNTED ON THE WALL
AND IS TO REMAIN THERE THROUGHOUT THE EASTER SEASON. THIS BRINGS
GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER HAVE ALWAYS DONE THIS.
Where learned: NEW YORK, ASSUMED ; FRANKLINVILLE
Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
GOOD FRIDAY SUPERSTITION
MY MOTHER WOULD NEVER LET ANY OF US THREE CHILDREN PLAY THE PIANO ON
GOOD FRIDAY. IF WE DID, IT WOULD BRING BAD LUCK. MY MOTHER WAS
TAUGHT THIS BY HER IRISH MOTHER, A VERY RELIGIOUS PERSON.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PRE-EASTER CUSTOM
SWIECONKA--ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER, A POLISH PERSON WILL TAKE
HIS EASTER BASKET TO CHURCH AND HAVE THE PRIEST BLESS IT TO INSURE
GOOD FORTUNE ON HIMSELF.
Data entry tech comment:
ANOTHER SPELLING FOR THIS CUSTOM, WHICH EXTENDS TO ALL SLAVIC
PEOPLES, IS SWIECZONKA. BOTH SPELLINGS APPEAR TO BE ACCEPTABLE.
Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY
Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
ON EASTER, IF THE FIRST WORD YOU SAY IS RABBIT, THE REST OF THE
YEAR WILL BE GOOD.
Where learned: HOME ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): LUCK ; RITUAL SPEECH
Date learned: 03-30-1971
EASTER
IF THE FIRST PERSON WHO WALKS IN THE DOOR ON EASTER IS A MAN, IT'S
BAD LUCK; IF IT'S A WOMAN, IT'S GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
POLISH EASTER
ON EASTER MORNING, THE FAMILY WOULD ALWAYS HOPE FOR ITS FIRST VISITOR
TO BE A VERY YOUNG PERSON OR A CHILD AS THAT WOULD DENOTE THAT GOOD
FORTUNE WOULD FOLLOW ALL YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN POLAND
Where learned: STORE
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-27-1967
SEASONAL TRADITION
AMONG PEOPLE OF POLISH-AMERICAN EXTRACTION, EASTER MONDAY IS KNOWN
AS "SPRINKLE DAY." ON THIS DAY THEY SPRINKLE EVERYONE THEY MEET
WITH PERFUME. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER FIRST LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS TEACHING IN THE
DELRAY SECTION OF DETROIT ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
ITALIAN EASTER MONDAY CUSTOM
THE ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT EATING JUST BREAD AND DRINKING JUST WATER
ON THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY FOR SEVEN YEARS WILL BRING
BLESSINGS.
Submitter comment:
[INFORMANT] RELATED THAT HE TRIED IT FOR FOUR YEARS AND GAVE UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
CRAFT DESIGN
WHEN UKRAINIANS DECORATE THEIR EASTER EGGS, THEY USE
THE GEOMETRIC SHAPE OF THE CIRCLE TO SYMBOLIZE THE SUN AND GOOD
FORTUNE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
THE BREAKING OF EASTER EGGS
THERE IS A CUSTOM AMONG UKRAINIANS WHICH CONSISTS OF HITTING
TOGETHER TWO PAINTED EASTER EGGS BY TWO PEOPLE. THE PERSON
WHOSE EGG DOES NOT BREAK WILL HAVE GOD'S BLESSING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM
ON EASTER SUNDAY EACH PERSON TAKES AN EASTER EGG THAT HE PARTICULARLY
LIKES. THEN HE AND ANOTHER PERSON MAKE A WISH. THEY THEN HIT THE
EGGS TOGETHER AND THE EGG THAT IS NOT CRACKED WILL GRANT THE WISH
OF THE HOLDER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
WEDDING SUPERSTITION
IT WAS BAD LUCK FOR THE GROOM TO SEE THE BRIDE IN HER WEDDING DRESS
OR EVEN THE DRESS ALONE AT ANYTIME BEFORE THE WEDDING.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A GERMAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
Date learned: 10-00-1976
ITS GOOD LUCK IF A FROG PISSES ON YOU WHEN YOU PICK HIM UP.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
Keyword(s): URINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: CA00001967
IF YOU FIND A COIN FACE UP, KEEP IT--ITS GOOD LUCK. BUT IF ITS
FACE DOWN, THROW IT AS FAR AWAY AS YOU CAN. IT MEANS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: CANADA ; CALGARY ; ALBERTA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Emblem BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |