Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for POSITION DIRECTION returned 526 results.
LUCK
IF YOU SPILL SALT THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SCHOULDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001960S
IF A BLACK CAT RUNS ACROSS YOUR PATH, WALK BACKWARDS TO THE POINT IN
WHICH IT CROSSED YOU TO UNCROSS THE BAD LUCK SPELL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 682 682.4 BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
WHEN YOU CARRY YOUR BABY HIGH IT WILL BE A BOY AND WHEN YOU CARRY IT
LOW IT WILL BE A GIRL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH, YOU SHOULD WALK THE OTHER WAY
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU SHOULD THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER
TO BRING GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
SUPERSTITIONS
THE OPEN END OF A PILLOWCASE HAD TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE. IT WAS BAD
LUCK IF OTHERWISE.
Submitter comment: I WAS VERY INTRIGUED BY THIS SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IN DETERMINING THE SEX OF A CHILD, THE GREEKS SPRINKLE SALT ON THE
BACK OF A WOMAN'S HEAD, IF SHE SCRATCHES THE LEFT SIDE, THEN SHE
WILL HAVE A GIRL. IF SHE SCRATCHES THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER HEAD,
THEN SHE WILL HAVE A BOY.
Submitter comment: I WAS ENTHRALLED BY THIS TECHNIQUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
THE NEW MOON AND LUCK
WHEN YOU SEE THE NEW MOON FOR THE FIRST TIME EACH MONTH, YOU CLOSE
YOUR EYES AND MAKE A WISH. PEOPLE THINK THAT SUCH A WISH WILL
COME TRUE. BUT IF YOU ARE REALLY LUCKY, THERE SHOULD BE SOMEONE
YOU LIKE VERY MUCH NEAR YOU SO THAT WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR EYES, YOU
WILL FIRST LOOK ON HIS OR HER FACE, THEN YOU WILL BE LUCKY FOR
THE REST OF THE MONTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ASTRONOMY ; FRIENDSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
LUCK
IF YOU HAVE A HORSESHOE ON THE WALL MAKE SURE THE OPEN END IS AT
THE TOP SO THAT ALL YOUR LUCK WILL STAY AND NOT LEAVE.
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL: HORSESHOE AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.12 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
GOOD LUCK
THROW SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK OR TO ERASE SOME
EVIL EFFECTS OF A MISTAKE SUCH AS WALKING UNDER A LADDER.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CONVERSION
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU LEAVE HOME AND DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING,
YOU MUST SIT STILL A MOMENT BEFORE RETURNING FOR IT, OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS OLD SUPERSTITION WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY AUNT WHEN SHE VISITED
HERE FROM JAMESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, IN OCTOBER OF 1963.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN OBJECT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
BELIEF
IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE FRONT DOOR AND LEAVES BY THE BACK DOOR IN
IRELAND IT WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE THE PERSON
TOOK ALL THE GOOD LUCK OUT WITH HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE POLICE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME IN IRELAND JUST
TO DISTURB THE WOMEN.
Where learned: LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; IRISH BELIEF
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU ENTER A HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME EXIT THROUGH THE SAME
DOOR YOU ENTERED, OTHERWISE YOU HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 03-25-1967
INSIDE OUT
IF YOU PUT SOMETHING ON INSIDE OUT DON'T CHANGE IT OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY SAID THIS ON SUCH AN OCCASION.
Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS
James Callow Keyword(s): DRESSING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
LUCK
AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK TURNED UP IS GOOD LUCK, WITH HIS TRUNK
DOWN IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS ELEPHANT MAY BE A FIGURINE, A TOY ETC.
Where learned: ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMALS: ELEPHANTS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.31 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
BAD LUCK
IF, IN PLAYING CARDS, YOU HAVE BAD LUCK, A WALK AROUND THE CHAIR
WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; GAMES: CARDS ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Conversions P883.6 |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
SUPERSTITION
TO PREDICT VISITORS: IF A SPOON DROPS, A BABY WILL COME TO VISIT;
IF A FORK DROPS, THE VISITOR WILL BE A WOMAN; IF A KNIFE DROPS, THE
VISITOR WILL BE A MAN. WHICHEVER WAY THE UTENSIL DROPS WILL BE THE
DIRECTION FROM WHICH THE VISITOR WILL COME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
SUPERSTITION
WHENEVER THE FAMILY HAS CHICKEN AND THERE IS A WISHBONE, BREAK IT
WITH THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT AND THE PERSON WITH THE LONGEST BONE
GETS TO MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU ARE WORKING AND YOU STUMBLE ON A ROCK WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT,
GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. IF IT IS THE LEFT FOOT THEN THE FUTURE
HOLDS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981