Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SUPERSTITION returned 465 results.
BELIEF
ALWAYS CRUSH EGG SHELLS COMPLETELY BEFORE THROWING THEM AWAY.
IF YOU DON'T THE SHELL HALVES WILL PROVIDE A SHELTER FOR
DANGEROUS SPIRITS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
Keyword(s): Eggs ; GHOST ; Shells ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Egg BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
WARDING OFF GHOSTS
GHOSTS DON'T COME IN TENS. WHENEVER YOU SEE ONE, SAY:
"TEN, TEN, THE BIBLE TEN," AND THEY WILL GO AWAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMER DOESN'T BELIEVE IN THIS STRONGLY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLE ; GHOST ; Haunt ; RELIGION ; Repel ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward Off
Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-26-1972
WHEN SOMEONE EVIL DIED THEIR GHOST WOULD BE HAUNTING ALL AROUND,
RUNNING AROUND SCARING PEOPLE, AND CHOKING PEOPLE TO DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS. SHE SAID IT WAS ONE OF THOSE
WIDE-SPREAD COUNTRY TALES SHE HEARD WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH ; EVIL ; GHOST ; Haunt ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
GHOST SUPERSTITION
IF YOU SEE A GHOST IN YOUR MIRROR AT NIGHT, GET UP AND LIGHT A
CANDLE AND WALK NINE TIMES AROUND THE ROOM. THE GHOST WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; St. Hyacinth School
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Haunt ; NUMBER ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
CHARMS AGAINST GHOSTS
IF YOU PASS BY A HAUNTED PLACE AT NIGHT, TURN YOUR POCKETS INSIDE-OUT
AND THE GHOST WILL NOT HURT YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Pockets ; Protect ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward Off
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1969
GHOST SUPERSTITION
SHE TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH A FOREST YOU SHOULD HOLD
A PIECE OF BREAD IN YOUR HAND IN ORDER TO SCARE AWAY ALL THE GHOSTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): BREAD ; Forest ; GHOST ; Protect ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward Off
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
THE GRIM REAPER
THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS HAS CREATED A NUMBER OF
IMAGINARY CREATURES. ONE IS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANY ROOKIES
WHO HAVE FAILED TO MAKE THE GRADE. GEORGE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE
CLEVELAND BROWNS' FOOTBALL TEAM THIS PAST SUMMER BUT FAILED.
HE MENTIONED THAT "THE GRIM REAPER" WAS REALLY PRESENT. WHEN YOU
WERE CALLED TO THE COACH'S OFFICE, "THE REAPER" HAD STRUCK AND
HIS PRESENCE WAS FELT. THIS CREATURE SEEMS TO BE RATHER UNIVERSAL
IN CONJUNCTION WITH AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
Submitter comment:
GEORGE TOLD ME THIS JUST AFTER RETURNING FROM "CAMP" TO DETROIT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; Cleveland Browns ; Football ; Haunting ; Reaper ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
COLLEGE BELIEF
IF A VIRGIN EVER WALKS PAST THE BEAUMONT TOWERS AT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, THE TOWER WILL CRUMBLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Crumble ; Destroy ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tower ; Urban Legend ; Virgin
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-24-1972
BABY BELIEF
NEVER CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS ONE YEAR OLD OR
HE WILL BE A THIEF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BABY ; FINGERNAILS ; Nail ; PREDICTION ; SUPERSTITION ; Thief ; Trim
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
GOOD LUCK AT THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO SEAT AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; holiday ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific) |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
CHRISTMAS EVE BELIEF
AT THE CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL SET THE TABLE WITH THE EXACT NUMBER OF
UTENSILS. IF THERE ARE MORE THAN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE WILL BE
AN INCREASE IN THE FAMILY. IF THERE AREN'T ENOUGH, THERE WILL
BE A DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS BELIEVED BY THE INFORMANT'S FATHER STRICTLY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Holiday: Christmas ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Table Setting
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-11-1972
SLEEP BELIEF
IF YOU CAN NOT GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT THE SAND
MAN WILL COME AND PUT SAND IN YOUR EYES TO MAKE YOU SLEEP.
IN THE MORNING YOU MAY FIND A GRITTY DEPOSIT IN THE CORNER OF
YOUR EYE. THIS IS SOME OF THE SAND HE USED TO PUT YOU TO SLEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; ETIOLOGY ; Lore ; Sandman ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGY
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 02-19-1968
HEALTH BELIEF
MY INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER STRICTLY BELIEVED THAT,
"BEETS GIVE YOU RED BLOOD."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Beets ; BELIEF ; BLOOD ; COLOR ; FOOD ; Red ; SUPERSTITION ; VEGETABLE
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Superstition
IF YOU CUT DOWN A TREE, A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; FAMILY ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
FRUIT BELIEF
IF YOU SWALLOW A GRAPEFRUIT OR ORANGE SEED, IT WILL GROW IN YOUR
STOMACH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRUIT ; Lore ; Seed ; SUPERSTITION ; Swallow
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
PARSLEY BELIEF
A WOMAN WILL LOSE HER HUSBAND IF SHE TRANSPLANTS
PARSLEY.
Submitter comment:
HER MOTHER BELIEVED THIS, AND ATTRIBUTED THE PREMATURE
DEATHS OF SEVERAL NEIGHBORS TO THEIR WIVES TRANSPLANTING
PARSLEY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; GARDENING ; HUSBAND ; Parsley ; SUPERSTITION ; Transplant ; Wife
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-10-1968
SNEEZE BELIEF
WHEN A PERSON SNEEZES TWICE ALMOST EVERY TIME HE SNEEZES,
THEN HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE PRETTY INTELLIGENT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Intelligent ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
SNEEZE BELIEF
IF A GIRL SNEEZES MORE THAN TWICE AT A TIME, THEN SHE IS PREGNANT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; PREGNANCY ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-30-1971
SNEEZE BELIEF
IT IS KNOWN THAT WHEN ONE SNEEZES, YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO SAY, "GOD BLESS YOU." BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT THEIR HEART STOPS
AND THEY ARE CLOSEST TO DEATH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHGATE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; HEART ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1972
FORMULA SPEECH
GOD BLESS YOU, SAID WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES.
ORIGIN: PEOPLE WOULD SAY THIS WHENEVER SOMEONE SNEEZED TO FORCE
THE BAD SPIRITS BACK INTO THE PERSONS BODY. THEY
BELIEVED COLDS WERE CAUSED BY EVIL SPIRITS AND THEY COULD
PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE SPIRITS COMING OUT IN THE
SNEEZE, BY USING GODS NAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Legend ; Lore ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1972