Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Term returned 63 results.
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
VERSE
LITTLE JOHNNY TOOK A DRINK,
BUT HE SHALL DRINK NO MORE,
FOR WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS H2O
WAS H2SO4.
Submitter comment: TOLD AT INFORMANT,S HOME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CHEMICAL TERMS ; DIGITAL HUMOR ; EUPHEMISM ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 01-20-1970
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QUITTERS NEVER WIN, AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT.
Submitter comment: HEARD IT FROM OLD BASKETBALL COACH.
Data entry tech comment: CHIASMUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
MY MOTHER'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT TO BE MARRIED IN
A GOWN THAT HAD SEED PEARLS UPON IT TOLD OF HAVING
GIRL CHILDREN. SURE ENOUGH, MY PARENTS HAVE TWO
CHILDREN, BOTH ARE GIRLS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A PREGNANT WOMAN'S BABY, TAKE
A NEEDLE AND THREAD IT WITH A LONG PIECE OF THREAD.
HOLD IT BY THE END OF THE THREAD SO THAT THE NEEDLE CAN
SWING FREELY. HOLD IT OVER THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S BELLY.
IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A BACK AND FORTH DIRECTION THEN
THE BABY IS A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A CIRCULAR
MOTION, THEN THE BABY IS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANAPEL
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001930ca
If a pregnant woman is carrying her baby high
closer to the rib cage then it will be a girl.
If she carries lower, in the pelvic region,
then it is a girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001970S
If the pregnant woman is grouchy then she is going to have a
girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
If the baby's heartbeat is strong while it is still inside
the mother that it is going to be a boy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Food: Recipe
Spiced Watermelon Rind:
9 cups (3lbs) cubed white watermelon rind. (remove all green skin)
4 cups water (1 glln)
2 tbsp salt
5 cups sugar
2 cups cider vineegar
1 cup cold water
1 sliced lemon
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 tbsp whole all spice
1 tbsp coarsley chopped cinnamon
Cover watermelon rind with 4 cups water. Add salt and let stand minute. Drain. Cover with more cold water in sacepan. Cook, covered, over low heat until tender, about 2 hours. Drain. Meanwhile, combine sugar, vinegar and remaining 1 cup cold water. Tie spices and lemon slices in a cheesecloth bag. Drop into vinegar mixture. Boil 5 minutes. Then add watermelon rind and cook until rind is transparent - about 45/60 minutes. Remove bag of spices. Pack rind and syrup into jars and seal. For crisper rind, add 2 tbsp powdered alum to water in which rind is first cooked.
Keyword(s): Canning ; FOOD ; Jar ; Meal ; RECIPE ; Rind ; Spiced ; Watermelon
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Preservation |
IF YOU'RE EVER LOST, SPIT INTO THE PALM OF YOUR HAND AND
SLAP YOUR PALMS TOGETHER, WHICHEVER WAY THE SALIVA GOES
IS THE WAY HOME.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DETERMINING DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-09-1973
VOCABULARY
A HOLE IN AN OVERCAST IS CALLED A "SUCKER HOLE."
Submitter comment:
YOU DON'T WANT TO GET ON TOP IF YOU CAN'T GET BACK DOWN WITHIN THE
LAW.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR USE THIS TERM.
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
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Proverb
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Submitter comment:
heard it long time ago.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DETERMINATION ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; Way ; Will
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Language
In some country places stepping into cow manure is called "cutting your foot."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Colloquialism ; COUNTRY ; Cow ; Cutting ; Foot ; MANURE ; REGIONAL ; SLANG ; Step ; Term
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Language
I have heard country folk use the phrase "Garfield" in the same way as many others would say "Well, I'll be..."
It's a word of surprise.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Garfield ; Language ; SLANG ; SURPRISE ; Term ; WORD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |