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 Man returned 288 results.
MY MOTHER'S UNCLE TAUGHT HER THIS LITTLE BALLAD ABOUT A FARM
GIRL AND A TRAVELING SALESMAN:
"A FARMER'S DAUGHTER NAMED LOU'ELLER
WAS THE PRETTIEST GIRL FOR MILES AROUND.
BUT THAT POOR GIRL DINT HAVE NO FELLER
UNTIL ONE DAY WHEN SHE WENT TO TOWN.
SHE WENT DOWN TO THE VILLAGE DEPOT
TO WATCH THAT EVENIN' TRAIN COME IN
AND MET A DRUMMER FROM THE CITY WITH
TWO GOLD TEETH AND A WALKIN' CANE.
THEY WENT DOWN TO THE VILLAGE DRUGSTORE
AND AT THE COUNTER THEY DID SAT
HE FILLED HER FULL OF SASPARILLA
TILL SHE DINT KNOW WHERE SHE WAS AT.
ALAS! ALACK! FOR PORE LOUELLER
SHE STARTED SOMETHING SHE COULD NOT STOP
NOW EVER' TIME SHE GETS A NICKEL
SHE BLOWS IT IN ON SODY-POP.
AND IN THE EVENIN'S IN THE SUMMER
AT THE DEPOT DOOR SHE WAITS IN VAIN
AND ROLLS HER EYES AT EVER' DRUMMER
THAT GITS FROM OFF THAT EVENIN' TRAIN."
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): DRUMMER = SALESMAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001950S
To her knowledge, when a child of Greek descent is born, he or
she is given a charm (a golden eye) to protect him or her from what
is called a "matiasma." Roughly translated it means "given the eye"
or "eyed." This happens when someone admires someone out of jealousy
out loud. For example, "His voice is so incredible. I wish I had it."
Once one is eyed, if he or she is not wearing the charm or if one
doesn't say "ftousou" which is a Greek word that means "to spray
saliva," he or she is condemned to sickness. (When said, ftousou
literally sprays saliva in the person's face.)
Submitter comment:
This particular superstition is feared by my informant because,
as a child, she was "eyed" and became seriously ill. All was tried to
lower my informant's fever but nothing worked. Finally, with
hesitation, a witch doctor was summoned and the fever disappeared
within a single day. To this day she has believed in the curse and
gave me and her other son the golden eye. However, both have been
misplaced and to this date have not been found.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; SICKNESS ; unexplained
James Callow Keyword(s): amulet, talisman
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00001943CA
IN IRELAND, THE IRISH CUSTOM IN ADVENT, IS TO HAVE A
BOWL OF STRAW AND A MANGER SCENE. WHEN A GOOD DEED IS
PERFORMED, THE PERSON TAKES A PIECE OF STRAW AND PUTS
IT IN THE CRIB. THE OBJECT AND THOUGHT IS TO MAKE THE
CRIB AS SOFT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE INFANT JESUS
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; IRELAND
Keyword(s): MANGER
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
Wedding Custom
To find out the last initial of the man you'll marry, say the letters of the alphabet as you turn the stem of the apple. (one letter for each turn). The letter it breaks on is the initial.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): ALPHABET ; Apple ; CUSTOM ; Groom ; Initial ; Man ; MARRIAGE ; Marry ; Stem ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR
BOY (OR GIRL) FRIEND, YOU WRITE OUT BOTH YOUR NAMES
AND CROSS OUT ALL IN-COMMON LETTERS (TAKING FIRST
AND LAST NAME SEPARATELY). THEN RECITE ON THE
REMAINING LETTERS "LOVE, MARRIAGE, FRIENDSHIP, HATE."
THE ONE RECITED ON THE LAST LETTER IS HOW THAT PERSON
FEELS ABOUT THE OTHER ONE.
EXAMPLE: JOHN DOE (WITH CROSSED OUT N, D, O, E=F
MARYANNE DOUGHERTY (WITH N, E, D, O, E CROSSED OUT)=
L. JOHN THINKS OF MARYANNE AS A FRIEND AND MARYANNE
LOVES JOHN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ONOMANCY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
MY STEP-FATHER KEEPS TWO SILVER DOLLARS IN HIS
POCKET TO KEEP FROM BEING POOR.
James Callow Keyword(s): talisman ; WEALTH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
ENCHANTMENT OF THE SIGN
WHEN "THE SIGN" IS IN THE BODY, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE HEART,
ANIMALS ARE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE SIGN STARTS IN THE
FEET, MOVING UP INTO THE BODY AND HEAD, THEN DOWN AGAIN.
IT IS ONLY IN THE FEET FOR A FEW DAYS. THE SIGN IS IN THE
HEART WHEN THE MOON IS BEGINNING TO GET FULL, AND IS THERE
SEVERAL DAYS AFTER IT BEGINS TO GET SMALLER. A CALENDAR
SHOWING MOON CHANGES CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE WHERE THE
SIGN IS, BY THOSE WHO KNOW HOW.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ZODIAC
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 08-00-1969
VEGETABLES PLANTED WHEN THE SIGN IS "IN THE BOWELS" WILL
CAUSE BOWEL TROUBLE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ALBERTVILLE
Keyword(s): ALAMANAC ZODIAC
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 06-17-1972
BEANS SHOULD BE PLANTED WHEN THE SIGN IS "IN THE ARMS."
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ALBERTVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ZODIAC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 06-17-1972
IF YOU PULL A TOOTH IN HE SIGN OF THE HEART, IT WILL BLEED
WORSE.
Where learned: PARIS ; TENNESSEE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 06-19-1970
PLANT CUCUMBER SEEDS ON TWIN DAYS IN MAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): GEMINI ZODIAC ALMANAC
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 07-03-1970
TEETH SHOULD BE PULLED WHEN THE "SIGNS" ARE BELOW THE KNEES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 05-08-1969
YOU SHOULD NEVER WEAN A BABY UNTIL HIS ZODIAC SIGN IS IN HIS
KNEE OR HE WILL CRY HIMSELF TO DEATH.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 07-00-1972
CUT OR BRUISE BUSHES WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE HEART DURING
MAY OR AUGUST AND THEY WILL DIE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 06-30-1973
DON'T PLANT BEANS WHEN THE SIGN IS IN THE ARMS. THEY WILL BE
LONG RUNNERS WITH NO BEANS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 06-30-1973
THE BEST TIME TO PLANT BEANS IS WHEN THE SIGN IS IN THE FEET.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 06-30-1973
DON'T PLANT ANYTHING WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE BOWELS OR SECRETS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 06-30-1973
DEHORN COWS WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE KNEES OR FEET.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
Date learned: 06-30-1973
CASTRATE BULLS OR PIGS WHEN THE SIGN IS IN THE KNEES, FEET,
OR LEGS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
Keyword(s): ALMANAC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
Date learned: 06-30-1973
BLOOD CIRCULATES IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE BODY ACCORDING TO
THE SIGN OF THE MOON. IF YOU HAVE A TOOTH PULLED UNDER THE
WRONG SIGN OF THE MOON, WHEN THE BLOOD IS CONCENTRATED IN
THE HEAD, YOU WILL BLEED TO DEATH.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT COULD NOT REMEMBER THE SIGN OF THE MOON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): ALMANAC
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Surgery |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
