Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PREGNANCY BELIEF
JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL WAY OF TELLING WHETHER AN
UNBORN CHILD IS A BOY OR A GIRL. IF A WOMAN IN HER SEVENTH MONTH
OF PREGNANCY IS CARRYING THE BABY HIGH AND DISTENDED, THE
CHILD IS DEFINITELY A BOY. IF THE BABY IS CARRIED LOW AND
FLATTER ON THE ABDOMEN, THE BABY IS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1969
BIRTH BELIEF
IF A CHILD IS CONCEIVED AND THE MOTHER IS LATER MARRIED
TO THE FATHER, THE BABY WILL BE A GIRL, AND WILL BE CALLED
A LOVE BABY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN THE HOSPITAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
PROVERB
ECONOMICAL IN THE INEXPENSIVE, AND EXTRAVEGANT IN THE EXPENSIVE.
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL GREEK TEXT CAN BE SEEN ON 5X8 CARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ELLIPSIS ; EXTRAVAGANCE ; PARALLELISM
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
PROVERB IN VERSE
NEEDLES AND PINS, NEEDLES AND PINS
WHEN A MAN MARRIES, HIS TROUBLE BEGINS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; MATRIMONY ; OBSERVATION ; PESSIMISM ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- P545.0 |
PROVERB IN VERSE
NEEDLES AND PINS NEEDLES AND PINS
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED YOUR TROUBLES BEGIN
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER REMEMBERS BEING TOLD THIS PROVERB IN HER YOUTH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; MATRIMONY ; OBSERVATION ; PESSIMISM ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- P545.0 |
Date learned: 04-04-1970
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
NERVOUS AS A HEN ON A HOT SHOVEL
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS EXPRESSION AS A CHILD ON A FARM IN CASEVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: HOME ; BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BIRDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; ANXIETY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
PROVERBIAL SIMILE
NERVOUS AS A LONG TAILED CAT IN A ROOM OF ROCKING CHAIRS
USED WHEN TRYING TO POINT OUT HOW NERVOUS A PERSON, YOURSELF
OR SOMEONE ELSE, CAN BECOME IN A GIVEN SITUATION
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS BEING USED DURING HIS CHILDHOOD
HE HAS USED IT AND HEARD OTHERS USE IT IN TIMES OF STRESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; ANXIETY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
NEVER SAY NEVER AND ALWAYS AVOID ALWAYS
Where learned: WARREN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): SEMANTICS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; EXTREMITIES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
BASEBALL TALES
OLD BASEBALL PLAYERS NEVER TELL TALES BUT ONLY LIES
Where learned: NBC TELEVISION
James Callow Keyword(s): DISTORTION ; EXAGGERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE TODAY IS WORTH TWO TOMORROWS
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; BELIEF ; Maxim ; NUMBERS ; NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; CARPE DIEM ; Positive
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-21-1968
PROVERB
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE SELDOM FOUND IN WOMEN AND NEVER FOUND IN MEN
Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARISON ; DEFINITION ; OBSERVATION ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 01-21-1970
PRAY FOR SUNSHINE. ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR RAIN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN NORWALK, OHIO.
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION ; HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT EXPECT THE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
EXPRESSIONS OF ANGER
I HEARD THE COLORED LABORERS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT
USE THE EXPRESSION PUT THE SCREAMS ON, TO MEAN A BAWLING OUT
GIVEN ONE PERSON BY ANOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; NEGRO EXPRESSION ; REPRIMAND
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 08-10-1964
THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL
THERE WAS ONCE A WOMAN WHO WAS CALLED THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL.
SHE WAS CALLED THIS BECAUSE HER HAIR AND SKIN WAS VERY WHITE AND
AT NIGHT SHE WOULD RIDE AMOUNG THE SLAVES DRESSED IN WHITE AND ON
A WHITE HORSE TO FRIGHTEN THEM. SHE WAS MISTRESS OF A BIG
PLANTATION AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE KILLED FOUR OF HER FIVE
HUSBANDS. SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED BY THE FIFTH WHEN HER FATHER
TOLD HIM WHAT SHE DID TO HER HUSBANDS. THE WHITE WITCH BURIED HER
HUSBANDS NEAR THE HOUSE AND PLANTED A COCONUT TREE ABOVE THEM.
IF YOU GO TO THE RUINS OF THAT PLANTATION YOU WILL SEE FIVE
COCOANUT TREES IN A ROW WITH NO OTHER TREES AROUND. SHE IS UNDER
ONE OF THEM.
Submitter comment:
DONALD LEE HAS VISITED THE RUINS OF ROSE HALL AND HAS SEEN
THE FIVE COCONUT TREES.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BLUEBEARD: SEX REVERSAL ; COLOR ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
GOOD FRIDAY
ON GOOD FRIDAY, SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WOULD BRING HOLY WATER AND A
PIECE OF THORN BRANCH FROM CHURCH AND OPEN THE DOOR TO THE HOUSE AND
THEN TURN AROUND 3 TIMES AND SAY, "HOLY WATER AND THORNS COME INTO
THE HOUSE; BUGS GO OUT OF THE HOUSE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD AT HER FATHER'S REQUEST.
( THE PURPOSE ) CHANGES, DEPENDING ON CURRENT NEEDS. ONE TIME IT
MAY BE TO TAKE OUT EVIL, ANOTHER TIME DUST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EXTERMINATION CHARM
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 663 Good Friday 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
CUSTOM
MAY DAY IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY WHICH IS A POLITICAL DAY FOR THE
UNIONS. THE TOP UNION OFFICIALS AND SOME WORKERS GATHER AND SPEECHES
ARE GIVEN IN THE MORNING, AND THE REST OF THE DAY IS JUST A DAY
FOR ENJOYING LIFE AND CELEBRATING.
Submitter comment: MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY
Data entry tech comment: DATE ASSIGNED MAY DAY: MAY 1
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELAXATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
ENGLISH FESTIVAL
BOXING DAY IS HELD THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. IT BEGAN AS A CUSTOM IN
WHICH THE LANDLORDS GAVE GIFTS IN BOXES TO THE WORKERS ON THEIR LAND.
THE LANDLORDS WOULD GO VISITING AS THEY DELIVERED THE BOXES.
THE CUSTOM HAS DIED DOWN AND IS NOW USUALLY CARRIED OUT BY GIVING
MONEY TO MAIDS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN ENGLAND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BOXING DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
BOXING DAY CELEBRATION IN THE BAHAMAS
26 DECEMBER JUNKNOW ( JUN-KA-NOO' ) PARADES. VARIOUS GROUPS DRESS UP
IN VARIOUS COSTUMES MADE OUT OF PAPER AND DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF
THE GOAT SKIN DRUM AND BUGLE. THE CELEBRATION IS SIMILAR TO
MARDI GRAS. IT GOES FROM 4AM TO 9PM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BOXING DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 01-26-1972