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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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Your search for SUPERSTITION returned 465 results.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

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

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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

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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

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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

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FRUIT BELIEF

IF YOU SWALLOW A GRAPEFRUIT OR ORANGE SEED, IT WILL GROW IN YOUR
STOMACH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRUIT ; Lore ; Seed ; SUPERSTITION ; Swallow

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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