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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEVER GIV E A GOOD FRIEND PEARLS, PEARLS MEAN TEARS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; Friend ; FRIENDSHIP ; Gem ; JEWELRY ; Pearl ; SYMBOL ; TEARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
OLD IRISH CUSTOM
IRISH MOTHERS THROW HOLY WATER ON THEIR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE
FIGHTING IN ORDER TO DRIVE OUT THE DEVIL. THE THROWING OF HOLY WATER
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXORCISM TO DRIVE THE RAGE(DEVIL) OUT OF
PEOPLE WHO WERE FIGHTING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; DEVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Fighting ; Holy Water ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Relationship ; Sibling
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
GIFT BELIEF
IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU A KNIFE FOR A GIFT, YOU MUST PAY SOMETHING
FOR IT, OTHERWISE THE KNIFE CUTS YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; KNIFE ; MONEY ; Sever ; Sharp ; SYMBOL ; SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
PENNY FOR A PIN
IF YOU ARE EVER GIVEN A PIN FOR A GIFT, BE SURE AND PAY
THE PERSON WHO GIVES IT TO YOU A PENNY, OR THE PIN WILL
SURELY PRICK YOU WHEN YOU WEAR IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Pin ; Prick ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
PREDICTION -DIVINATION
IF TWO PEOPLE ARE WALKING AND A POLE IS IN THEIR PATH THEY MUST
WALK ON EACH SIDE AND SAY BREAD AND BUTTER WHEN THEY COME
TOGETHER. IF THEY DO NOT THEY WILL HAVE A FIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): Bread and Butter ; CUSTOM ; FRIENDSHIP ; PREDICTION ; SIGN ; SYMBOL ; Together
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
BELIEF ABOUT A FRIENDSHIP BRACELET
A RAWHIDE BRACELET IS GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR FRIEND
AS A TOKEN OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP. IT CONSISTS OF FOUR KNOTS.
ONE THE BIGGEST, IS A SQUARE KNOT REPRESENTING SOME EVIL.
THE OTHER THREE REPRESENT IN ORDER, YOUR FRIEND, YOURSELF
AND A WALL. THIS IS SAID TO MEAN THAT AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR FRIEND
YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO FACE EVIL HEAD ON, BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND IS IN
FRONT OF YOU, AND THE WALL IS BEHIND YOU.
IT WAS SAID THAT YOU HAD TO WEAR THESE BRACELETS FOR A PERIOD OF
ONE YEAR, OR UNTIL THEY ROTTED OFF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): Bracelet ; FRIENDSHIP ; Friendship Bracelet ; JEWELRY ; Knot ; SIGN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
THE BLACK LINE
A BLACK LINE IN THE CEMENT OF A SIDEWALK IS A LINE TO AVOID.
IF YOU SHOULD PURPOSELY STEP ON A BLACK LINE YOU WILL GET COOTIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; SIGN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-03-1968
EDGE-WISE
WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH SHARP EDGES, A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
FOR EACH EDGE SO THAT THE FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE CUT.
Submitter comment:
FROM HER MOTHER
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
POLISH BELIEF
MANY POLISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WHEN THE MOON IS FULL, IT IS
A GOOD TIME TO PICK MUSHROOMS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FARMING ; Full ; HARVEST ; MOON ; Mushrooms ; POLISH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 00001930S
CHIPEWYAN ESKIMO
THEY DO NOT KILL WOLVES OR WOLVERINES BECAUSE THEY ARE
POWERFUL SPIRITS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARQUETTE
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; BELIEF ; Chipewyan ; Cultural ; Eskimo ; Inuit ; Kill ; Native Indian ; Wolverines ; Wolves
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
ORIGIN OF "LYNCHING"
MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN IRELAND WAS UNDER THE RULE
OF THE SPANIARDS, THE SON OF A MAYOR LYNCH IN
IRELAND FELL IN LOVE WITH A MAIDEN WHO WAS BETROTHED,
AGAINST HER WILL, TO A SPANIARD. THE LYNCHED BOY KILLED
THE SPANIARD AND, ACCORDING TO LAW, SHOULD HAVE BEEN HUNG
FOR HIS CRIME. BUT THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN THOUGHT SO HIGHLY
OF HIM THAT THEY REFUSED TO HAVE A TRIAL TO HANG HIM,
HIS FATHER WAS VERY CONSCIENTIOUS AND FELT THAT AS MAYOR
HE HAD A DUTY TO PERFORM. SO HE TOOK THE LAW INTO HIS OWN HANDS
AND HUNG HIS OWN SON. AND THAT IS HOW THE WORD "LYNCHING"
CAME TO HAVE THE MEANING IT HAS TODAY.
Submitter comment:
MRS MCCLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST, IRELAND.
ABOUT 1915
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; IRELAND ; Lynch ; Lynching ; Origin
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 01-13-1964
Entry filtered.
EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"
THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Murder Hill ; Origin ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
PONTIAC ROAD
OFF OF PONTIAC ROAD, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN OLD HOUSE WHICH
WAS A DROP OFF STATION FOR RUNAWAY SLAVES. PONTIAC'S NAME IS
SUPPOSED TO BE DERIVED FROM THIS HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
MIKE WASN'T TOO SURE WHERE HE GOT THIS INFORMATION, BUT HE WAS
CERTAIN THAT THIS WAS TRUE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Origin ; Pontiac ; Slavery ; Slaves ; Underground Railroad
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
Entry filtered.
EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"
THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Murder Hill ; Origin ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
PONTIAC ROAD
OFF OF PONTIAC ROAD, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN OLD HOUSE WHICH
WAS A DROP OFF STATION FOR RUNAWAY SLAVES. PONTIAC'S NAME IS
SUPPOSED TO BE DERIVED FROM THIS HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
MIKE WASN'T TOO SURE WHERE HE GOT THIS INFORMATION, BUT HE WAS
CERTAIN THAT THIS WAS TRUE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Origin ; Pontiac ; Slavery ; Slaves ; Underground Railroad
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001976CA
YOU SHOULD NEVER BE MARRIED WITH THE HANDS OF THE
CLOCK POINTING DOWN. IT MEANS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
HAS ALWAYS HEARD THIS, BUT DOESN'T RECALL WHERE
SHE FIRST LEARNED IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOCK ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; Old Wives Tale ; OMEN ; TIME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
THE BRIDE SHOULD WEAR "SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW,
SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE" FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; NEW BREMEN
Keyword(s): Blue ; Borrowed ; Bride ; CUSTOM ; MARRIAGE ; New ; Old ; RHYME ; tradition
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1972