Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P882.800 returned 75 results.
NEVER START PLANTING ON A FRIDAY BECAUSE IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE FIRST TO STEP ACROSS THE PORCH MUST BE A
MALE OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
ON HALLOWEEN, THE CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO NEAR A
WINDOW BECAUSE IT IS BAD LUCK. SOMETHING EVIL WILL HAPPEN.
THIS IS PRACTICED IN INFORMANT'S HOME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- M425 BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 02-00-1982
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN SPAIN, SWALLOWING ONE GRAPE ON EACH
OF THE TWELVE STROKES OF MIDNIGHT WILL BRING GOOD LUCK,
FAILING TO SWALLOW A GRAPE OR DROPPING ONE WILL BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED ITEM FROM FATHER WHO FREQUENTLY TRAVELS
TO EUROPE.
Where learned: CANADA ; MONTREAL ; RECEIVED IN MAIL
Date learned: 00-00-1970
BAD LUCK
IF A PERSON SEES HIS OWN SHADOW ON A NIGHT WITH A FULL MOON,
EVIL THINGS WILL BEGIN TO HAPPEN TO HIM.
Submitter comment: HE SAID HE SAW HIS OWN SHADOW AND HE WAS ALMOST RUN DOWN BY A CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 12-03-1982
NEW YEAR'S DAY BELIEF
IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
BEFORE A MAN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THE FIRST PERSON ENTERING
YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S MUST NOT BE A WOMAN OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT I HEARD AS A CHILD. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY BUT
I DO KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO WILL REFUSE A WOMAN ENTRANCE ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNTIL A MAN ENTERS FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 09-00-1982
FIRST VISITOR ON FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR MUST BE A MAN. IF THE
VISITOR WERE A WOMAN, SHE BROUGHT BAD LUCK
Submitter comment: ITEM SHOWS SEXISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON
Date learned: 09-19-1982
THE GOREY FAMILY HAVE A NEW YEAR'S EVE TRADITION.
AT MIDNIGHT THEY TAKE ALL THEIR POTS AND PANS
AND BANG THEM TOGETHER. ALL THIS IS TAKING PLACE
WHILE THE FAMILY EXITS THROUGH THE BACK DOOR
AND ENTERS THROUGH THE FRONT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE TO LET THE BAD LUCK GO OUT THE BACK
DOOR, WHILE LETTING THE GOOD LUCK INTO THE FRONT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
It is unlucky for someone who is not a Scorpio to
wear an opal.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's great aunt was a Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21),
and owned a lovely opal ring. Her daughter, Nettie, wanted
the ring, but her mother cautioned her against wearing it,
as it would bring bad luck. Nettie wore the ring anyway. The
first time she wore it, she was almost hit by a car. The
second time that she wore the opal, she had a mishap,
mangling the ring beyond repair, and losing the opal. After
that, Nettie believed what her mother had told her.
Nettie told this to Elinor as a warning, because they are both
Sagittarius. Elinor also was told by one of her students,
Molly, that she had a terrible string of bad luck for a
whole week, until she gave away her opal ring.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Horoscope, proscription, advice, astrology, gems, jewelry
Date learned: 00001960S
Wearing opals when you are not a Scorpio is only bad
luck if you are single; if you are married they won't
harm you.
Submitter comment:
Jane, a friend of Elinor's, states that wearing an opal if
you are not supposed to interferes in the finding of
a husband. She then told Elinor that she could wear
an opal if she wanted to, since she was married.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): horoscope, astrology, spinster, advice, reassurance, gems
James Callow Keyword(s): JEWELRY
Date learned: 00001987ca
If you are going to wear jewelry with opals, it is
better luck to wear an odd number of opals than an
even number.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's friend, Jane, states that the ring (or other piece
of jewelry) will be stronger this way.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
An opal will shine more brightly for someone who
is supposed to wear it, but will look dull, or will crack,
if the wrong person wears it. If you have Scorpio rising
in your astrological sign, that is as good as being born
under Scorpio.
Submitter comment:
Annie, an acquaintance of Elinor's, complimented Elinor
on the beauty of her opal ring. When Elinor related her
misgivings about wearing the ring, Annie reassured her
that it was safe, since Scorpio was her rising sign. She
also warned her not to let anyone wear it, as the ring
might crack if that person was not born under the proper
sign.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
IF YOU SEW ON SUNDAY, IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS PENNSYLVANIA MOTHER
IN HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-12-1967
IT IS BAD LUCK TO SEW ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A HOUSEWIFE CANNOT CUT DRESS MATERIAL ON A FRIDAY.
THIS WILL BRING BAD LUCK WHEN THE DRESS IS WORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): SEWING
Date learned: 09-22-1968
IT IS BAD LUCK TO BRING EGGS INTO THE HOUSE AFTER
THE SUN GOES DOWN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT BELIEVES IN THIS FROM EXPERIENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Egg BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
TO TAKE ASHES OUT OF THE HOUSE AFTER SUNDOWN IS
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Egg BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT FRIDAY THE 13TH IS BAD LUCK.
BUT DON'T YOU BELIEVE IT. THE REAL DAY OF BAD LUCK
IS TUESDAY THE 17TH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT TUESDAY THE 17TH HAS ALWAYS
BEEN UNLUCKY FOR HIM.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE DAY TUESDAY IS CONSIDERED UNLUCKY TO THE GREEK-
AMERICANS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACQUIRED THIS THROUGH FAMILY TIES.
Where learned: CORRESPONDENCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
INDIAN
TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS ARE CONSIDERED UNLUCKY.
MARRIAGES ARE NOT PERFORMED ON THESE DAYS IN
INDIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 03-08-1968