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 X returned 1037 results.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO MEET AN OLD WOMAN OR A LONG
HAIRED DOG WHEN YOU START ON A JOURNEY. IT IS
GOOD LUCK TO MEET A MAN WHO HAS A WOODEN LEG, OR
WHO SMOKES A PIPE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER HEARD THIS IN BOSTON WHEN HE
WORKED AT THE NABIS
COMPANY IN THE 1920S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 00001920S
IF THE FIRST PERSON YOU MEET IN THE MORNING IS A MAN
THEN THIS IS CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK; WHEREAS, IF THE
FIRST PERSON YOU MEET IS A WOMAN, THEN THIS IS
CONSIDERED TO FORECAST BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RELATED A STORY CONCERNING HER COUSIN
WHO WAS QUITE UPSET UPON MEETING A WOMAN ONE MORNING
AS HER FIRST PERSON--AND LATER FELL AND BRUISED
HER LEG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 BELIEF -- Good luck Sex BELIEF -- Bad luck Sex BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
NO WOMEN ARE ALLOWED IN THE COAL MINES FOR IT IS
BELIEVED THAT THERE WOULD BE A MAJOR CATASTROPHE IF
ANY WOMEN WERE THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Sex |
Date learned: 11-17-1969
HAVING WOMEN ON A MILITARY VESSEL IS BAD LUCK FOR
THE SHIP AND MEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-17-1971
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE A WOMAN ON A SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-03-1971
WOMEN ARE BAD LUCK ON SHIPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 02-28-1970
DON'T BRING A WOMAN ON BOARD SHIP BECAUSE IT IS
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WOMEN ON SHIPS ARE BAD LUCK.
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
IN THE OLD DAYS OF SAIL, IT WAS DEEMED UNLUCKY BY
THE SAILORS TO HAVE ANY WOMAN ABOARD SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE WOMEN ABOARD SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-15-1968
IF AN OLD MAN LIVES THROUGH MARCH, HE WILL BE WELL.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH TEXT ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FLAT-CHESTED WOMEN ARE DESTINED TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL
IN BUSINESS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): MANNISH APPEARANCE? SEXISM?
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
IF YOU ATTEND A FUNERAL WHILE PREGNANT YOUR BABY WILL BE
BORN OR GROW UP TO BE A VERY DARK COMPLEXTION PERSON.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING MY STAY IN DETROIT WITH PEOPLE WHO
LIVED THERE A LONG TIME.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF --THE TABOO OF ATTENDING A FUNERAL
WHILE YOU ARE PREGNANT WILL AFFECT THE COLOR OF THE UNBORN. THIS
USUALLY APPLIES TO BLACK FOLK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPLECTION COMPLEXION ; NEGRO
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: CA06171966
PRACTICAL JOKE
WHEN A NEW WORKER BEGINS TO CLEAN TOILETS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT
COBO HALL, HE IS ASKED REPEATEDLY BY THE OLDER WORKERS IF HE HAS
A STATE BOARD OF HEALTH CARD. IF HE SAYS NO, WHICH HE ALMOST
CERTAINLY WILL, HE IS REPRIMANDED FOR NOT TELLING THE SUPERVISOR
AND RISKING A POSSIBLE FINE AGAINST THE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED OF ALL WORKERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AT
LEAST SINCE I STARTED WORK THERE 3 1/2 YEARS AGO.I FOUND OUT FROM
OTHER WORKERS THAT THEY ALSO WERE ASKED THIS QUESTION. THE LONGEST
WORKING EMPLOYEE ASKED WAS A WORKER WITH 10 YEARS SENIORITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOAX PRACTICAL JOKE
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
BOYS ARE ROTTEN/ MADE OF COTTON
GIRLS ARE DANDY/ MADE OF CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THE GIRLS IN MY FAMILY LOVE SAYING THIS VERSE. THE BOYS TEND TO
IGNORE IT. THE VERSE IS ALSO PREVALENT AROUND QUEEN OF HOPE SCHOOL
WHERE MY SISTER GOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): C730.328 ; FEMININE RHYME ; SEXISM
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-02-1974
THE STIGMATA OF PADRE PIO
PADRE PIO OF SAN GIOVANNI DI ROTONDO IN ITALY HAS THE STIGMATTA OF
OUR LORD ON HIS HANDS. THE WOUNDS ARE SAID TO BE OPEN ABOUT ONCE A
MONTH. ALSO ONLY MEN WERE ALLOWED TO SEE THIS. THE REASON FOR
THIS IS UNKNOWN.
Submitter comment:
I ALSO HAD A CHANCE WHILE IN ITALY IN 72, TO SEE THIS SIGHT, HOWEVER
I CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR IT. THE WOUNDS WERE OPEN AND BLEEDING AS HE SAID
MASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; SEXISM ; STIGMATA
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
LUCK
IF YOU GET OUT OF THE BED ON THE LEFT SIDE YOU WILL BE CRABBY ALL
DAY.
Submitter comment:
WOMEN USUALLY SLEEP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BED WHICH CAUSES THEM
TO BE MORE CRABBY THAN MEN.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: CA11001973
SIGNATURES
YOURS TILL CIGARS BOX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BOX
Subject headings: | Z210 |
Date learned: 09-00-1973