Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CUSTOM returned 579 results.
Superstition: Baseball
I LEARNED THE FOLLOWING WHILE PLAYING BABE RUTH BASEBALL IN PORT
HURON. "DURING A GAME WHEN A PITCHER IS PITCHING A NO HITTER, IT
IS BAD LUCK TO TELL HIM HOW MANY STRIKE-OUTS HE HAS OR HOW MANY
INNINGS HE HAS YET TO PITCH."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.6 |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
Superstition: Baseball
IT IS BAD LUCK TO MENTION THAT A PITCHER HAS A NO-
HITTER GOING WHILE THE GAME IS IN PROGRESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 10-22-1969
Superstition: Baseball
THERE HAS BEEN A PREVAILING BELIEF AMONG THE VARIOUS
BASEBALL BROADCASTERS THAT I HAVE HEARD OVER THE
YEARS, IN THE BAD LUCK OF MENTIONING THE FACT THAT A
PITCHER IS WORKING ON A NO HIT GAME. IF ONE MENTIONS
THE IMPENDING NO-HITTER, THE SUPERSTITION GOES, THE
NO-HITTER WILL NOT CONTINUE FOR THE PITCHER WILL HAVE
BEEN JINXED BY THE MENTIONING OF HIS NEARLY COMPLETE
ACHIEVEMENT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 11-23-1970
Superstition
Point at a shooting star or even speak of it and you lose your next wish.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Origina BN's [P600.880, P800, P880] crossed out and replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: SCHOOL
Keyword(s): ASTROLOGY ; ASTRONOMY ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; jinx ; Point ; SPEAKING TABU ; SUPERSTITION ; TABU ; WISH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Comet BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Ethnic: Irish/Scottish Superstition
Good Luck:
No man would ever leave Irelannd or Scotland without a bit of heather and a small bag of soil. Without these life in the new wold would be bitter.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN's [P880, F533, p880] crossed out and replaced with F533.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; DIVINATION ; Earth ; ETHNIC ; Heather ; Herbal ; Irish ; LUCK ; NATURE ; New World ; SCOTTISH ; Soil ; SUPERSTITION ; TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Destiny
If a Norse is killed without a weapon, his soul is damned to limbo.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P546] crossed out and replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AFTERLIFE ; BURIAL ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; MYTHOLOGY ; Norse ; Soul ; Warrior ; Weapon
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Belief: Luck
Bowling: never change your line-up unless you have a losing streak.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with current classification.
The word Luck is written across the top of the card.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): Bowling ; CUSTOM ; Entertainment ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Belief: Animal
When you see a white horse you lick your fore-finger and wipe it on your left palm, then double up your fist and hit your palm.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] is crossed out/replaced with current classifications
Written next to BN: [Since the collector used this nuimber himself, we must assume that this is done for luck.]
Written underneath the text of the submission: For Luck??
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; COLOR ; CUSTOM ; HORSE ; jinx ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Belief: Luck
Luck:
If someone wants your place at Bingo, take your chair with you or you won't win.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out/replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): Luck, Chance, Wagers, Bingo, Chair, Custom, Game, Entertainment
James Callow Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
CHANGE YOUR LUCK (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION: WALKING COUNTERCLOCKWISE (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
IF A PERSON IS HAVING A STREAK OF BAD LUCK IN A GAME SUCH AS BINGO,
ALL TYPES OF CARD GAMES, OR IN A GAME IN WHICH A PLAYER IS SEATED,
HE CAN CHANGE HIS LUCK BY WALKING AROUND THE CHAIR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.
OF COURSE, IF THIS PROCEDURE DOES NOT WORK THE FIRST TIME IT SHOULD
BE REPEATED UNTIL A CHANGE OF LUCK TAKES PLACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bingo ; CUSTOM ; DIRECTION: COUNTERWISE ; Entertainment ; GAMES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P833 P833.6 |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
Belief: Luck
Winning Streak:
Many coaches won't change a suit, socks or some particular piece of clothing if they have a winning streak going.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CLOTHING ; CUSTOM ; Entertainment ; GAMBLING ; jinx ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Belief:
Never borrow salt ot you will lose a friend.
Submitter comment:
Informant learned this from her mother.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P882.14, P880] crossed out/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Conversation
Keyword(s): Salt, Mineral, Belief, Friendship, Custom, Ownership
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F553 Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Belief
YOU SHOULD NEVER BORROW SALT WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT,
BECAUSE YOU WILL NEVER SPEAK TO THAT PERSON AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER PARENTS WHEN SHE LIVED
ON A FARM AS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Salt, Mineral, Belief, Friendship, Custom, Ownership
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F553 Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
Ethnic:Ugandan
Cocks and Misfortune:
If a family keeps poultry, and is a cock among them crows between sun-set and mid-night [sic], that particular bird must be strangled immediately to overt misfortune!
Submitter comment:
The superstition is proper to the Batooro tribe of about 100,000 poeple of Uganda.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P530, P880] crossed out/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FARMING ; MISFORTUNE ; Omens ; Poultry ; SUPERSTITION ; Tribe ; Uganda
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird |
Ethnic: Ukraine
Belief:
In Ukraine, it is believed that if you're locked out of your house and forced to come in through the window, you must also leave by the window or you will experience some misfortune.
Submitter comment:
Informant received information from grandparents in Ukraine.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] written and crossed out twice/replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; Door ; ETHNIC ; FUNERAL HOME SLOGAN? ; SUPERSTITION ; Ukraine ; UKRAINIAN ; UKRAINIAN BELIEF ; Window
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Superstition:Wedding
Wedding Superstition:
For each ribbon a bride breaks on a wedding or shower gift she'll have a child.
Submitter comment:
This is a superstition common in the Oswald family
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P545] crossed out/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BIRTH ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; FUTURE ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; Ribbon ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Superstition
Superstition:
If you come in one door and immediately go out another you'll have company.
Submitter comment:
Sylvia learned this from her sister who in turn learned it at the nurses' lounge at Beaumont Hospital, Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P860] crossed out/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Company ; CUSTOM ; Entrance ; Exit ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Ethnic: Native American
To Pray With the Pipe:
The prayer to use with the Pipe is a pattern of free prayer from the heart. Set and written formulas are not used. I had several old Indians tell me that in the eatrly days the Indian people could not understand why the priest was always reading from a book for in their minds this was insincere and ineffectual. It is quite possible that there was a real cultural conflict that the early missionaries entirely missed. One frequently hears that the Pipe was their Bible and those leading double religious lives say that they live by the Pipe and the Bible. At the end of the Prayer, the Pipe is pointed skyward and earthward as a sign of conclusion. Sometimes the person touches the ground with the Pipe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; Tekakwitha Conference ; WINNIPEG
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BIBLE ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; Native American ; Pipe ; PRAYER ; RELIGION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Ethnic: Native American
Use of the Pipe During a Wedding:
The married couple standing together before the priest for the nuptial blessing could both hold the same Pipe with the right hands, stem away from themselves. This would be a perfect ceremonial sign of the words of the priest. The Nuptial Blessing contains the type of prayer which is most nautral to the Pipe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; Tekakwitha Conference ; WINNIPEG ; MANITOBA
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; CEREMONY ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; MARRIAGE ; Native American ; PRAYER ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Ethnic: Native American
To Offer the Pipe:
After the pipe is filled it is offered silently in the four directions, skyward and earthward by pointing the stem away from the body while holding the bowl in the right hand. Nowone is prepared to hold the Pipe in two hands in any way that is comfortable or meaningful to the individual. Or else it is held in the right hand and the left is extended above the head palm outward. This ritual is a powerful sign with which to surroung an invocation or prayer just like the ceremonies of the Mass are signs surrounding the words of consecration. One can fell [sic] as comfortable performing the Pipe Ritual as he does the ceremonies of the Mass.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; Tekakwitha Conference ; WINNIPEG ; MANITOBA
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; Mass ; Native American ; PRAYER ; RELIGION ; RITUAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |