Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for EVIL returned 90 results.
IF YOU PUT ALL THE PEOPLE IN A BAG YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHICH ONE TO
SHAKE TO THE TOP.
Submitter comment:
IN BELGIUM, THE FLEMISH HAVE A HUGE BAG OF POTATOES IN WHICH THEY
SHAKE THE BAG IN ORDER TO GET THE BAD POTATOES OUT. THIS PROVERB
IS SAID IN REFERENCE TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL UNDESIRABLE.
Data entry tech comment: PROFESSOR CALLOW HAS MADE NECESSARY SPELLING CHANGES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): VEGETABLES SEPARATION GOOD AND EVIL
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
A GAMBLER'S LESSON
FAR AWAY BY A RIVER, THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE HOUSE IN WHICH THERE LIVED A FAMILY.
A FATHER, MOTHER, A BOY AND A GIRL. THEY HAD ONE PROBLEM, THEIR FATHER LIKED TO GAMBLE
AND DRINK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEIR MOTHER GOT VERY SICK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND
HER TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE THE FATHER GAMBLED EVERYTHING HE EARNED. THE MOTHER DIED. THE
GIRL WAS HELPING WITH EVERYTHING AROUND THE HOUSE AND THE BOY WAS TRYING TO EARN MONEY FOR
THE LIVING OF THE FAMILY. ONE DAY THE BOY WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY. HE WAS ALWAYS WONDERING
HOW HIS SISTER WAS MANAGING AT HOME AND WAS ALWAYS VERY SAD. HIS ARMY BUDDY WAS ASKING HIM WHY
HE WAS SO SAD. HE TRIED TO HIDE THE ANSWER FROM HIM, BUT FINALLY TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL
SISTER WHO COULD NOT MANAGE THE HOME BECAUSE OF THE FATHER'S GAMBLING. HIS FRIEND PROMISED TO
HELP HIM DURING HIS NEXT FURLOUGH. HE WENT TO A THEATRE AND BOUGHT HIMSELF A DEVIL OUTFIT. WHEN
FURLOUGH TIME CAME, HE PUT THE OUTFIT ON, AND ON TOP OF IT, THE BEST SUIT THA HE COULD FIND.
WHEN THEY REACHED THE BOY'S HOME, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE BOY'S FATHER. THE SISTER TOLD HIM THAT
THEIR FATHER WAS A FEW MILES AWAY AT AN INN. THE BOY'S FRIEND WENT TO THE INN AND ASKED FOR THE MAN.
THE INNKEEPER TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS PLAYING CARDS IN THE CORNER. HE WENT OVER TO THE CORNER AND GREETED
THE GAMBLERS, ASKING PERMISSION TO JOIN THEM. THEY ACCEPTED HIM. HE WAS A VERY GOOD CARD PLAYER AND
STARTED TO WIN FROM THE BEGINNING. A FEW HOURS LATER, ONLY THE GIRL'S FATHER WAS LEFT IN THE GAME.
ALL THE OTHERS HAD STOPPED PLAYING BECAUSE THEY HAD LOST EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAD. THE GIRL'S FATHER
WAS LOSING ALSO. BY ELEVEN O'CLOCK, HE ASKED FOR ONE FREE HAND OF CARDS. HE HAD LOST EVERYTHING. THE
BOY GAVE IT TO HIM. IT ALSO WAS A LOSING HAND. THE MAN WANTED TO QUIT AND TOLD THE BOY THAT HE HAD NO
MONEY TO GAMBLE. THE BOY TOOK HIS GLOVES OFF. RED, LONG FINGERNAILS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS DEVIL'S
OUTFIT, AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS HAT, LITTLE HORNS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS HAIR. HE SAID, "NOW WE ARE
GOING TO PLAY FOR YOUR SOUL. I WOULD LIKE TO WIN YOUR SOUL." THE MAN JUMPED UP AND STARTED TO RUN TOWARDS
HIS HOME. THE YOUNG MAN WAS PURSUING HIM. THERE WAS A CHURCH BY THE ROAD. THE MA RAN INTO IT. THE MAN TOOK
THE SEAT CLOSEST TO THE ALTAR. THE BOY, OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, WHISTLED HIS WAY TO HIS FRIEND'S HOME. THE MAN
WAITED TILL THE PRIEST CAME IN AND ASKED FOR CONFESSION. THE BOY RETURNED ALL THE WINNINGS TO HIS FRIEND AND
ASKED TO MARRY HIS SISTER. FROM THAT DAY ON, THEY WERE A VERY HAPPY FAMILY. THEIR FATHER DID NOT DRINK OR GAMBLE ANYMORE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY TELLING I LUKOWA, POLAND.
HE LAUGHED QUITE A BIT WHEN DESCRIBING THE DEVIL AN THE EFFECT IT HAD ON THE GAMBLING FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; LUKOWA
James Callow Keyword(s): SOLDIER DISGUISED AS DEVIL REFORMS COMPULSIVE GAMBLER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00-00-1934
POLISH PROVERB
IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
A DIABOLICAL POSSESSION
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO ENTERED A CONVENT SOMEWHERE
IN EUROPE. SHE SEEMED
TO ACT SO STRANGELY THAT THE EXTIRE COMMUNITY WONDERED. ONE
EVENING SHE WALKED UP THE WALL AND SLITHERED ACROSS THE CEILING LIKE
A SNAKE. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING SHE WAS DISMISSED AND AS SHE LEFT
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR SHE DECLARED THAT SHE HAD GIVEN HER SOUL TO
THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS TO HAVE OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM
ANOTHER SISTER WHO IN TURN CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE INCIDENT
DESCRIBED ABOVE.
Where learned: SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT
Keyword(s): POSSESSION BY THE DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
IF YOU HAVE BOLL WEEVILS IN THE
CUPBOARD, BREAK A DISH, WRAP IT IN A
WET DISHRAG AND BURY IT IN THE YARD
UNDER A ROSE BUSH AND THE BUGS WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BOLL WEEVIL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
IT WAS ME, MY SISTER, MY 2 STEP BROTHERS
AND 2 GIRLS WHO WERE OUR FRIENDS.
WELL, IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER WHEN WE WERE PLAYING OUR WEEGIE
BOARD, WE STARTED PLAYING AND WE COULD FEEL COLD SPOTS AND I HAD
SEEN A MOVIE THAT SAID THE WEEGIE BOARD WAS THE DEVIL AND I DID
NOT WANT TO PLAY. IT SAID IT DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY MORE AND IT WAS
GETTING PISSED OFF. SO IT SPELLED OUT SLAM JEFF, AND JEFF GOT A
WEIRD FEELING AND CAT WENT WEIRD AND THE CONVERTER WENT OFF THE
TV AND AFTER THIS EVERYONE WAS WORRIED AND EVERYONE WANTED TO
STOP PLAYING AND IT STARTED GOING FAST AND WANTED TO LEAVE BECAUSE
THE DEVIL WAS COMING AND STARTED GOING REAL SLOW AND WE ASKED
WHO WAS THERE AND IT SAID SATAN AND ONE GIRL WANTED TO CONTINUE
AND SHE RAN OUT OF THE ROOM AND STOPPED AT THAT POINT AND WENT TO
BED. SHE FELT A BIG COLD SPOT BEHIND HER AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE
WAS BEHIND HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANTON
Keyword(s): DEVIL IN WEEGIE BOARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 05-00-1985 ; 11-18-1987
May you be in Heaven fifteen minutes before the devil knows
you are dead.
Submitter comment: This is an Irish proverb that my grandfather always said.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Irish, devil
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001940S
In the Arab culture there is a superstition referred
to as the "evil eye." This consists of statues,
pendants, jewelry etc. that are shaped like an eye
(usually blue with a big black pupil) and are worn
on the person or hung up in the house. It is the
belief that these will ward off any evil spirits
and will watch any evil thoughts or persons until
they regain their consciences. It is a form of
protection.
Submitter comment:
The informant seemed to suggest that it is no longer
a serious belief but more a silly superstition.
Keyword(s): evil, protection
James Callow Keyword(s): talisman
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
IF THE SUN SHINES WHILE IT IS RAINING, THE DEVIL IS WHIPPING
HIS WIFE WITH A RIN PAN.
Where learned: ALABAMA, ASSUMED ; HUNTSVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVIL BEATING HIS WIFE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 06-18-1972
WHEN IT'S SUNNY AND RAINING AT THE SAME TIME, SATAN IS
BEATING HIS WIFE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVIL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE, YOUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE HORNS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): SATAN DEVIL IMPS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 04-02-1969
A GIRL WAS WALKING ALONE, WHEN A STRANGE MAN OFFERED
HER A RIDE. SHE ACCEPTED, BUT BEFORE THEY HAD
DRIVEN VERY FAR, SHE LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND NOTICED
THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE CLOVEN IN HOOFS.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
A GIRL WANTED TO GO TO A DANCE, BUT HER PARENTS REFUSED
TO LET HER GO. THAT NIGHT SHE SNEAKED OUT HER WINDOW
AND WENT ANYWAY. AT THE DANCE SHE WAS DANCING WITH A
HANDSOME YOUNG MAN WHEN SHE HAPPENED TO GLANCE DOWN AT
HIS FEET. THEY WERE CLOVEN HOOVES!!
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER. DEVIL HAS CLOVEN HOOVES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
SYRIAN TALE
PRETTY GIRL GOES TO THE WELL AND IS STARED AT BY AN OLD WOMAN.
UPON RETURNING HOME SHE BECOMES ILL AND DIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER AUNT OF SYRIAN DESCENT. IT WAS A BELIEF OF HER PEOPLE
THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE BEWITCHED OR DOOMED TO DIE. EVIL EYE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EVIL EYE ; THOMAS WRIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
A GIRL WAS WALKING ALONE, WHEN A STRANGE MAN OFFERED
HER A RIDE. SHE ACCEPTED, BUT BEFORE THEY HAD
DRIVEN VERY FAR, SHE LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND NOTICED
THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE CLOVEN IN HOOFS.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
A GIRL WANTED TO GO TO A DANCE, BUT HER PARENTS REFUSED
TO LET HER GO. THAT NIGHT SHE SNEAKED OUT HER WINDOW
AND WENT ANYWAY. AT THE DANCE SHE WAS DANCING WITH A
HANDSOME YOUNG MAN WHEN SHE HAPPENED TO GLANCE DOWN AT
HIS FEET. THEY WERE CLOVEN HOOVES!!
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER. DEVIL HAS CLOVEN HOOVES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN DISOBEDIENCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
SYRIAN TALE
PRETTY GIRL GOES TO THE WELL AND IS STARED AT BY AN OLD WOMAN.
UPON RETURNING HOME SHE BECOMES ILL AND DIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER AUNT OF SYRIAN DESCENT. IT WAS A BELIEF OF HER PEOPLE
THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE BEWITCHED OR DOOMED TO DIE. EVIL EYE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EVIL EYE ; THOMAS WRIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
A FLEMISH SAYING AT HOME
THE MEANEST WEASELS GET THE EGGS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; OBSERVATION ; PESSIMISM: EVIL REWARDED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
OKINAWAN BELIEF
THERE IS GOOD IN ALL EVIL THINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
THERE IS NONE SO BAD THAT HE DOES NOT SECRETYL
RESPECT THE GOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EVIL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-01-1967