Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for OMEN returned 163 results.
Custom
You should never say "good luck" to an actor or actress on opening night - you always say "break a leg"
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
Keyword(s): Actor ; ACTRESS ; Break a Leg ; CUSTOM ; GOOD LUCK ; LUCK ; OMEN ; Opening Night ; Play ; Saying ; THEATER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
WEREWOLF BELIEF
IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE MOON OVER YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER
YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY
ENCOUNTER A WEREWOLF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P870] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: CHICAGO
Keyword(s): Lycan ; MOON ; OMEN ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Werewolf
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
LA SALAMANDRA
THE PEASANTS FEEL THAT IF A MAN IS EVIL,
THAT SOMETIME WHEN HE IS IN THE
JUNGLE ALONE, HE WILL SEE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WEARING A WHITE DRESS
WITH BLACK HAIR AND FIERY EYES.
SHE IS THE REPRESENTATION OF DEATH AND
WHEN THEY MEET IT MEANS THAT HE IS DESTINED TO DIE SOON.
Submitter comment:
MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS WHILE HE
LIVED AND TRAVELLED IN LATIN AMERICA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH ; OMEN ; SPIRIT ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
BANSHEE
IN IRELAND, WHEN YOU HEAR THE WAIL OF THE BANSHEE,
YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE WILL SOON DIE.
THIS WAILING PRECEDES THE COMING OF THE COACH OF DEATH
WHICH IS DRAWN BY FOUR BLACK HORSES. THIS COACH CARRIES THE ONE WHO
IS TO DIE TO THE UNDERWORLD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BANSHEE ; DEATH ; Haunt ; IRELAND ; OMEN ; SIREN ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Underworld
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001968 (FALL)
PILLOW WREATHS
WHEN THE WITCHES WEAVE A WREATH IN YOUR PILLOW (THEY ARE
ACTUALLY PERFECTLY FORMED LITTLE WREATHS. THE INFORMANT HAS
SEEN THEM) IF THE WREATH GETS COMPLETED, THE PERSON DIES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVES IN THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFT ; Legend ; OMEN ; Pillow ; WITCHES ; Wreath
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 09-21-1968
WITCH PROTECTION
SASSAFRAS TEA- MADE BY MERELY BOILING A SASSAFRAS ROOT IN SOME
WATER - IS SUPPOSED TO BE ESPECIALLY GOOD IN WARDING OFF
WITCHES.
Submitter comment:
STEVE ACTUALLY BELIEVED THIS WHEN HE WAS A KID, AND HE USED TO DRINK
IT BEFORE GOING INTO ANY KIND OF HAUNTED HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OMEN ; Protect ; SASSAFRAS ; TEA ; WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
CAR BELIEF
IF A GIRL IS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSES OVER RAILROAD
TRACKS, SHE MUST LIFT UP HER FEET OR SHE WILL NOT GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS ATTITUDE WAS QUITE SKEPTICAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FEET ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; DISBELIEF ; POSITION
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WALKING
WHEN WALKING WITH SOMEONE NEVER LET A POLE OR ANY
OTHER BARRIER COME BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE. BOTH PEOPLE MUST
GO AROUND THE SAME SIDE OF THE BARRIER OR SOME BARRIER WILL
COME BETWEEN THEIR PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS AUNT DOES THIS AND INFORMANT HAS BEEN WITH HER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BARRIER ; BELIEF ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; WALKING
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
WEDDING DRESS OMEN
A GIRL SHOULD NEVER WEAR A WEDDING DRESS BEFORE HER TIME OR SHE WILL
REMAIN A WIDOW.
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF FROM SABINAS, MEXICO. PROBABLY COMMON IN MANY COUNTRIES. IN
FORMANT EXPRESSED LITTLE BELIEF IN IT HERSELF.
BY WIDOW THE INFORMANT MEANS SPINSTER MAIDEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; DRESS ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | Observation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
IF A SPOON AND A FORK ARE CROSSED, IT MEANS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS RELATIVES WHILE
HE VISITED IN LATIN AMERICA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Bad ; Fork ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SIGN ; Spoon ; UTENSILS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION ; Silverware
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms BELIEF -- Bad luck Eating utensils |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
SAINT SANGENNARO
THE ROCK, ON WHICH ST. SANGENNARO WAS BEHEADED, IS KEPT IN A GLASS
CASE IN THE CHURCH NAMED AFTER HIM IN NAPLES, ITALY. EVERY SPRING AN
AUTUMN THE BLOOD ON THE ROCK LIQUIFIES. IF IT FAILS TO LIQUIFY IT
PORTENDS A DISASTER. IT FAILED TO LIQUIFY BEFORE WORLD WAR 1 ,
WORLD WAR 2, AND THE KOREAN WAR. IT ALSO DIDN'T LIQUIFY IN 1963, THE
YEAR THAT THE INFORMANT SAW IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BLOOD ; HISTORICAL ; OMEN ; Portent ; RELIGION ; Rock ; Saint Sangennaro ; SIGN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 11-23-1968 ; 00-00-1963
SUPERSTITION
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY YOU MUST HAVE A PAIR OF PENNY LOAFERS
WITH A PENNY IN THEM, WITH THE DATE OF YOUR BIRTH ON IT.
THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK ON THE HONEYMOON
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; Penny ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe BELIEF -- Good luck P881.41 |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IF THE FIRST PERSON TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR HOUSE ON
CHRISTMAS EVE IS A DARK HAIRED MAN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK IN THE
YEAR TO COME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CHRISTMAS ; COLOR ; GOOD LUCK ; HAIR ; holiday ; LUCK ; Man ; OMEN ; SYMBOL
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 00001930S
DEATH BELIEF
IF SOMEONE LEAVES, DO NOT SHUT THE GATE RIGHT AFTER HIM
OR HE WILL DIE SOON.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; Gate ; Guest ; Leave ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
BELIEF IN RANK
MEN ARE INTELLECTUALLY SUPERIOR TO WOMEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Anti-feminist ; gender ; Intellect ; Men ; Misogyny ; Patriarchy ; WOMEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
IF A FISHERMAN WENT OUT TO THE OCEAN TO FISH AND SAW A PERSON
HE DID NOT LIKE OR THAT DISLIKED HIM, IT IS SAID THAT
HE SHOULD GO BACK TO SHORE, BECAUSE HE WILL NOT
CATCH ANY MORE FISH THAT DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CATCH ; Fisherman ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SIGN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
IT IS VERY IMPORANT TO A JEWISH STORE-OWNER THAT THE FIRST
CUSTOMER ON A MONDAY MORNING MUST BUY SOMETHING, REGARDLESS
OF THE PRICE. IF AND WHEN THE CUSTOMER DOES BUY SOMETHING, IT
MEANS GOOD LUCK AND GOOD SELLING THE REST OF THE WEEK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Buy ; CUSTOM ; Customer ; Jewish ; Merchant ; Monday ; OMEN ; Purchase ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
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
IF ALL THE FOOD IS EATEN AT THE DINNER TABLE, RAIN WILL
FALL WITHIN 24 HOURS.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN BY HIS MOTHER
WHEN HE WAS A CHILD AND LIVING ON A FARM IN RURAL OHIO.
THIS BELIEF WAS SIGNIFICANT ESPECIALLY DURING DRY SPELLS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Consumption ; FOOD ; Meal ; OMEN ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-22-1984 ; 00001960S
BABY SUPERSTITION
LEAVING A BABY'S ARTICLE BEHIND IN YOUR HOST'S HOUSE MEANS THAT
THAT HOUSE WILL BE DUE TO HAVE A NEW ADDITION IN THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; CLOTHING ; OMEN ; Predictor ; PREGNANCY ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-29-1967