Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CAT returned 284 results.
A CAT LOOKING OUT A WINDOW IS "LOOKING FOR RAIN."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; CAT ; CAT ; Rain ; SIGN ; Window
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
IF A CAT HAS A CROSS-SHAPED MARK ON ITS FOREHEAD, IT IS
DESCENDED FROM THE LITTER WHICH WAS BORN AT THE NATIVITY
OF CHRIST.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MCKENZIE
Keyword(s): Born ; CAT ; Cross ; Descendant ; Fur ; Litter ; Mark ; Nativity ; SIGN ; Tale
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
IF A CAT LEAVES A HOUSE WHERE THERE IS AN ILLNESS AND
REFUSES TO COME BACK, THE PATIENT WILL NOT RECOVER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MCKENZIE
Keyword(s): Abandon ; ANIMAL ; CAT ; DEATH ; ILLNESS ; PROPHECY ; Recovery
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-14-1973
IF YOU KICK A CAT YOU'LL GET RHEUMATISM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; Animal Cruelty ; CAT ; CRUELTY ; ILLNESS ; Kick ; OMEN ; PUNISHMENT ; Rheumatism
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
TOOTHACHE REMEDY:
CHEW ON SEVERAL LEAVES OF CATNIP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MCKENZIE
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; Catnip ; Chew ; CURE ; Herb ; Herbal ; ILLNESS ; Leaves ; REMEDY ; TOOTHACHE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-29-1973
SORE THROAT CURE:
MIX LARD AND TURPENTINE AND APPLY TO NECK
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COOKEVILLE
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; Application ; Balm ; CURE ; Lard ; NECK ; REMEDY ; Sore Throat ; Turpentine
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 07-01-1973
Entry filtered.
DON'T LET YOUR BOOKS INTERFERE WITH YOUR EDUCATION.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Books ; EDUCATION ; HUMOR ; JOKE ; PROVERB ; PUN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
Holiday Tradition
We have a family tradition. Christmas Eve dinner is the same each year. There is no meat served at that meal, going back to the Catholic observance of Christmas Eve as a day of abstinence. THe foods served are spaghetti with anchovi sauce, Baccala ( Cod fish with almonds and spices), fillet of sole, fried shrimp.
Data entry tech comment:
Input by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SPRINGFIELD
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; Catholic ; Dinner ; ETHNIC ; FISH ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; meat ; RELIGION ; tradition
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Custom
When someone would sneeze in his family - they'd say "scat" to imply that the sneeze sounded like a cat hissing.
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; Ashland City
Keyword(s): CAT ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; Saying ; SNEEZE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom |
SIGNS OF GHOSTS
IF A BLACK CAT WALKS ACROSS YOUR PATH IT IS EITHER A WITCH
OR A GHOST AND CAN PUT A SPELL ON YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Black ; CAT ; COLOR ; GHOST ; SIGN ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; Witch
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1969
SPIRTIUAL BELIEF
EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN SPIRIT WHO WILL TALK TO HIM THROUGH
THE OUIJA BOARD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Communicate ; GAME ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Ouija ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS
THE TEST FAMILY OWNS MUCH DOWNTOWN REAL ESTATE IN INDIANAPOLIS,
AND HAS AN OLD HOUSE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE COUNTY, JUST OUTSIDE
OF TOWN. THE GRANDFATHER'S GHOST IS SAID TO INHABIT THE NOW EMPTY
HOUSE. THIS IS BECAUSE AT NIGHT, BLUE LIGHTS CAN BE SEEN
FROM THE ROAD, COMING FROM THE WINDOWS. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE
A GREAT POPULATION OF CATS INHABITING THE AREA. THE OLD MAN
IS SAID TO HAVE HAD MANY WHILE HE WAS ALIVE. IT IS A POPULAR
LOCAL LEGEND, AND THE HOUSE IS OFTEN VISITED BY THE CURIOUS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID HIS UNCLE USED TO GO THERE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: INDIANA ; INDIANAPOLIS
Keyword(s): Blue Lights ; Cats ; Haunting ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IF A FISHERMAN WENT OUT TO THE OCEAN TO FISH AND SAW A PERSON
HE DID NOT LIKE OR THAT DISLIKED HIM, IT IS SAID THAT
HE SHOULD GO BACK TO SHORE, BECAUSE HE WILL NOT
CATCH ANY MORE FISH THAT DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CATCH ; Fisherman ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SIGN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
SIMON
SIMON. THERE WAS A MAN WHO WENT FISHING. AS HE SAT NEAR THE
WATER HE HEARD A LOW MOANING: PLEASE DONT CATCH ME SIMON, PLEASE.
THE MAN PAID NO ATTENTION AND SOON CAUGHT A FISH
HE WENT HOME AND PREPARED TO COOK THE FISH AND AGAIN HEARD A MOAN
WHICH WAS A LITTLE LOUDER.: PLEASE DONT COOK ME SIMON, PLEASE.
AGAIN HE PAID NO ATTENTION, COOKED THE FISH AND BEGAN TO EAT.
THEN HE HEARD ANOTHER LOW MOAN: PLEASE DONT EAT ME SIMON, PLEASE.
THE MAN WENT ON AND ATE THE FISH AND SOON WENT TO BED. THEN HE HEARD
ANOTHER MOAN THAT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND CLOSER: SIMON I TOLD
YOU NOT TO CATCH ME AND COOK ME AND EAT ME. SUDDENLY A SHOUT:
SIMON.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS BEST TOLD TO LITTLE KIDS IN THE DARK. THE TELLER
MUST AT FIRST MOAN SLOW AND VERY LOW AND GET LOUDER AS THE STORY
GOES ON. AT THE SHOUT, THE TELLER SHOULD JUMP AND GRAB ONE OF THE
CHILDREN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER
Keyword(s): CATCH TALE ; Circle ; Endless ; Endless ; FISH ; Fisherman ; ROUND ; Scare ; Simon ; Tale ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): JUMP TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001970S
IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HOPE, ONE CROSSES THE INDEX AND
MIDDLE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS. TO GAIN ADDED
EMPHASIS, CROSS THE END TWO FINGERS ALSO.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Communication ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Hope ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO SHAKE THE HAND OF A CHIMNEY SWEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Chimney ; Communication ; CUSTOM ; GREETING ; Hands ; LUCK ; Shake Hands ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 03-14-1970
SOME OLD FISHERMEN OF WESTERN MICHIGAN STILL BELIEVE
THAT IF THEIR LUCK IS BAD, THAT THEY CAN SPIT ON THE
WORM, THEN PUT IT ON THE HOOK, AND GOOD LUCK WILL
FOLLOW THEIR DAY'S FISHING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Bait ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CATCH ; FISH ; Fisherman ; FISHING ; GESTURE ; HOOK ; LUCK ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Worm
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 09-10-1969
MASH UP RED BERRIES FOR LIPSTICK AND PUT ON LIPS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BEAUTY ; Berries ; Lipstick ; Makeup
James Callow Keyword(s): ADORNMENT BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 09-17-1973
HOW GOD MADE "FLUTTER-BYS"
WELL, THE LORD HAD JUST FINISHED MAKING THE WORLD AND HE SAT BACK
IN HIS BIG OL' ROCKER TO LOOK IT OVER. "NOT A BAD JOB, IF I SAY SO
MYSELF." HE LIT UP A BIG, FINE CIGAR AND WAS FEELING PRETTY GOOD
ABOUT IT UNTIL HE NOTICED THAT THE WORLD LOOKED KIND OF BARE. THE
FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THERE WASN'T A THING TO THE WORLD EXCEPT LAND,
TREES AND A LOTS OF WATER. THERE WAS EVEN MORE WATER THAN LAND.
"WONDER HOW I DID THAT," THE LORD SAID. "SEEMS TO ME I'D PLANNED FOR
THERE TO BE MORE LANDTHAN WATER." WELL, HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AND
TURNED HIS MIND TO MAKE THE WORLD LOOK A BIT PRETTIER. "GIMME MY
PRUNING SHEARS," HE CALLED OUT AND ONE OF THE CUTE, LITTLE ANGELS RAN
AND GOT THEM. THEN THE GREAT LORD ALMIGHTY LEANED OUT OF HIS ROCKING
CHAIR, TRIMMED THE TREES, AND THREW THE TRIMMINGS ALL OVER THE EMPTY
GROUND. THAT'S WHAT MADE THE GRASS, BUSHES, AND ALL THE FLOWERS.
"NOW THAT DON'T LOOK TOO BAD," HE SAID AND LEANED BACK. "YESSIRY
I'VE DONE MADE A AWFUL PRETTY WORLD." AND SO SAYING, HE WENT TO BED
TO REST UP FROM ALL THAT WORK. THE NEXT MORNING THE LORD HADN'T EVEN
HAD ONE EYE OPEN YET, WHEN HE HEARD THE FLOWERS WHISPERING AMONG
THEMSELVES, "IT'S LONELY DOWN HERE"; THE OTHER FLOWER SAID, "WE
WERE PUT HERE TO KEEP THE GROUND COMPANY AND MAKE EVERYTHING LOOK
PRETTY, BUT IT SURE IS MIGHTY LONELY." THE LORD SHOOK HIS HEAD IN
DISGUST. "HAVE MERCY, FATHER. YOU GET THROUGH MAKING ONE THANG AND
AND THE NEXT THANG YOU KNOW YOU GOTTA MAKE SOMETHING TO GO WITH THE
FIRST. GIMME THEM LITTLE SHEARS, ONE OF YOU ANGELS, PLEASE." AN
ANGEL BROUGHT HIM THE TEENICHY PAIR OF SHEARS AND HE BENT OVER TO THE
EARTH AND STARTED SNIPPING LITTLE PIECES OFF OF EVERYTHING - THE SKY,
THE GROUND, THE TREES, THE ANIMALS, THE BUSHES, THE FLOWERS;
EVERYTHING HE PUT HIS SHEARS ON, GOT SNIPPED. "THE VERY IDEA OF
GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WORLD AND IT AIN'T EVEN A DAY OLD.
THAT'S GRATITUDE." THE LORD HAD A FEELING HE WAS GOING TO BE GETTING
COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WORLD FROM THEN ON. HE WAS SO MAD THAT HE DID
NOT CARE WHAT HE SNIPPED - SNIP, SNIP, ALL MORNING LONG. WELL, WHEN
THE FOLKS LOOKED UP AND SAW THE TINY CLIPPINGS FLUTTERING AROUND.
THEY CALLED THEM FLUTTER-BYS. THE BLUE FLUTTER-BYS HAD BEEN SNIPPED
FROM THE SKY; THE YELLOW FLUTTER-BYS HAD BEEN CLIPPINGS FROM THE SUN;
AND THERE WERE THE LORD'S WHITE FLUTTER-BYS THAT WERE CLIPPINGS FROM
THE STARS. EVERY COLOR FLUTTER-BY YOU COULD THINK OF WAS FLUTTERING
AROUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER LONG NARRATIVE WITH A STRONG BLACK IMAGE, AS REFERRED
TO IN MY COLLECTION'S SEQUENCE NUMBER 731772-1; I GET THE
IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A BLACK GOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Butterfly ; CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; God ; NAME ; Origin ; PERSONIFICATION ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954