Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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On Christmas Eve day, it is good luck if the
first person to enter your house is a man and
bad luck if it is a woman.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00001920S
When a person praises or compliments you or
your children, you should make the sign of evil,
or the devil, behind your back by holding your
little finger and first finger up while making
a fist. By doing this you ward off the evil eye
or bad luck.
Submitter comment:
My grandmother doesn't particularly believe in this
but her parents and husband's parents did. It is
a strong belief in Malta.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): index finger
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001930S
Italian Food Custom
The men always eat first and the women last during a holiday
meal.
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001976CA
TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A PREGNANT WOMAN'S BABY, TAKE
A NEEDLE AND THREAD IT WITH A LONG PIECE OF THREAD.
HOLD IT BY THE END OF THE THREAD SO THAT THE NEEDLE CAN
SWING FREELY. HOLD IT OVER THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S BELLY.
IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A BACK AND FORTH DIRECTION THEN
THE BABY IS A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A CIRCULAR
MOTION, THEN THE BABY IS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANAPEL
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001930ca
If a pregnant woman is carrying her baby high
closer to the rib cage then it will be a girl.
If she carries lower, in the pelvic region,
then it is a girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001970S
If the pregnant woman is grouchy then she is going to have a
girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
If the baby's heartbeat is strong while it is still inside
the mother that it is going to be a boy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
THE BLOODY FINGER
ONCE THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS BABYSITTING. THE CHILDREN
HAD BEEN PUT TO BED AND SHE WAS READY TO WATCH SOME TV WHILE
WAITING FOR THE PARENTS TO RETURN. SUDDENLY THE PHONE RANG. WHEN
SHE ANSWERED A VOICE SAID, "THE BLOODY FINGER IS COMING FOR YOU."
THE GIRL THOUGHT NOTHING OF THIS. IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A FRIEND
TRYING TO SCARE HER. SHE WENT TO MAKE SOME POPCORN. THE PHONE
RANG AGAIN. "THE BLOODY FINGER IS TEN MILES AWAY," THE VOICE
SAID. THE BABYSITTER STILL WASN'T WORRIED. THEN, THE POWER WENT
OUT! THE PHONE RANG. "THE BLOODY FINGER IS FIVE MILES AWAY."
THE GIRL FOUND A FLASHLIGHT. THE PHONE RANG AGAIN. "THE BLOODY
FINGER IS AT THE CORNER STORE." THE BABYSITTER WENT BACK TO THE
KITCHEN AND FOUND A BUTCHER KNIFE. THE DOORBELL RANG. THE
BABYSITTER WAS READY. SHE TOOK THE KNIFE AND ANSWERED THE DOOR.
A MAN STOOD ON THE FRONT PORCH. HE SMILED, HELD UP HIS BLEEDING
FINGER AND SAID..."HI! HAVE YOU GOT A BAND-AID?"
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS COMMON AT GRADE SCHOOL SLUMBER PARTIES. WHEN
ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND GHOST STORIES WERE BEING TOLD, "THE
BLOODY" FINGER WAS SURE TO BE INCLUDED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Throw salt over your left shoulder to keep the jinks away.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; Alberton
James Callow Keyword(s): jinx
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
New Year's Day
A man should always be the first person through the door on
New Year's Day because he will bring you good luck in the coming
year.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1931
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Electronic Data Systems
My father is a systems analyst that supports General Motors
Corporation. He has many opportunities to work with GM's computer
specialists, Electronic Data Systems. He said that sometimes the
EDS technicians are so unhappy and surly that he renamed "E.D.S.",
"Every Day Sucks."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Explanation
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
IN OBERAMERGAUE, GERMANY DURING CHRISTMAS TIME, THEY
HOLD A PASSION PLAY, DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIRTH OF OUR LORD=CHRISTMAS. ; SOME CONTRADICTION HERE--PASSION PLAY=CRUCIFIXION.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
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EX-LAX
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT A PLEDGE OF A FRATERNITY AND A PLEDGE
OF A SORORITY ARE TAKEN OUT TO DINNER AND ARE FED EX-LAX
WITH THEIR MEAL. THEY ARE THEN KIDNAPPED AND HANDCUFFED
AND DROPPED OFF IN THE WOODS. THEN IT IS JUST A MATTER OF
TIME BEFORE PROBLEMS ARISE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LAXATIVE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN OBERAMERGAUE, GERMANY DURING CHRISTMAS TIME, THEY
HOLD A PASSION PLAY, DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIRTH OF OUR LORD=CHRISTMAS. ; SOME CONTRADICTION HERE--PASSION PLAY=CRUCIFIXION.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
Date learned: 12-00-1967