Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ADVICE returned 379 results.
If you are going to wear jewelry with opals, it is
better luck to wear an odd number of opals than an
even number.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's friend, Jane, states that the ring (or other piece
of jewelry) will be stronger this way.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
An opal will shine more brightly for someone who
is supposed to wear it, but will look dull, or will crack,
if the wrong person wears it. If you have Scorpio rising
in your astrological sign, that is as good as being born
under Scorpio.
Submitter comment:
Annie, an acquaintance of Elinor's, complimented Elinor
on the beauty of her opal ring. When Elinor related her
misgivings about wearing the ring, Annie reassured her
that it was safe, since Scorpio was her rising sign. She
also warned her not to let anyone wear it, as the ring
might crack if that person was not born under the proper
sign.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
HOW TO FIND SOMETHING YOU LOST
IF YOU LOSE SOMETHING IN YOUR HOUSE, YOU SHOULD TAKE AN EMPTY
GLASS, AND IT MUST BE GLASS, AND TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN NEAR
RUNNING WATER (A SINK, ETC.). LEAVE THE GLASS THERE UNTIL YOU
FIND WHAT YOU LOST. YOU WILL FIND IT, AS LONG AS IT IS IN THE
HOUSE. THIS ALWAYS WORKS.
Submitter comment:
MR. SNIDER LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER IN OHIO WHO IS NOT THE
LEAST BIT SURPRISED WHEN SOMEBODY FINDS SOMETHING BY EMPLOYING
THIS METHOD. IT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED THAT THIS WORKS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Use of Object |
EVIL EYE
IF YOU BRAG ABOUT A CHILD, OR YOUR WIFE, OR ABOUT ANYTHING, THE
EVIL EYE WILL TAKE IT AWAY. TO AVOID THIS, WHENEVER BRAGGING
YOU SHOULD END THE ADULATION WITH A CRITICAL COMMENT.
Submitter comment:
AS AN EXAMPLE, INSTEAD OF SAYING, "MY SON IS SO PERFECT. HE
ALWAYS GETS GOOD MARKS IN SCHOOL." A CAUTIOUS PERSON WOULD SAY,
"MY SON IS SO PERFECT. HE ALWAYS GETS GOOD MARKS IN SCHOOL, BUT
HE NEVER CLEANS HIS ROOM."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; COMPENSATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
"EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE DARK WILL COME TO LIGHT."
THIS CAN MEAN THINGS DONE IN THE DARK LITERALLY, SUCH AS
HAVING AN AFFAIR OR ROBBING A HOUSE OR IT CAN MEAN THINGS
DONE SYMBOLICALLY IN THE DARK, SUCH AS CHEATING ON A TEST.
WHATEVER IS DONE IN THE DARK WILL BE FOUND OUT AND MADE
PUBLIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001976CA
If yo tink yo bundle of dirty clothes too heavy, try
picking up yo neighbor's own.
Submitter comment:
People always believe that they have the worst of everything
until they realize that other people have problems too.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): tink = think ; yo = you or your
James Callow Keyword(s): Advice -- Positive ; Metaphor: problems = bundle of clothes ; RELATIVITY ; WEIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-00-1991
Shut yo do' an lick yo chil'.
Submitter comment:
This is not a literal suggestion but means that one should
deal with personal matters privately and not let the whole
world be privy to your business.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): an = and ; chile = child ; do = door ; lick = spank (punish) ; yo = your
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1991
AN OLD SAYING: IF YOU SPEND MOST YOUR TIME COMPLAINING YOU
MIGHT AS WELL SHUT UP, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY NO ONE CARES.
Where learned: MISSOURI
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE--NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
This little piggy went to the market.
This little piggy stayed home.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy cried wee, wee all the way home.
Submitter comment:
I learned this song from my older brother and sisters. When I was
a baby they played this verse with me to make me laugh and keep me
from crying. As I've gotten older I heard that this verse is to
combat sibling rivalry. It teaches a child that sometimes things
don't seem fair, but that everyone experiences it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVICE
Date learned: 00001970S
Decision Making
Pick, pick til you pick shit.
Submitter comment:
This is said, when you have so many choices and you keep
changing your mind. My mother's mother would tell her this when
she couldn't make up her mind between boys.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; LAFAYETTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1937
SALT
AN IRISH SUPERSTITION: WHEN EATING AT A TABLE AND SOMEONE ASKS FOR THE SALT, YOU MUST FIRST SET IT DOWN NEXT TO THE PERSON AND LET HIM PICK IT UP. IF YOU SHOULD PASS IT TO HIM, IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO WILL GET INTO A FIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE
Date learned: 10-05-1972
Entry filtered.
RUSSIAN PROVERB
MEASURE SEVEN TIMES TO CUT ONCE.
Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; CAUTION ; CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001898-1905
A TRAFFIC WARNING (HOUSEHOLD SAYING)
MAKE TIME AT HOME -- NOT ON THE ROAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THE GENERAL IDEA OF THIS SAYING SOMEWHERE AND MADE UP
HIS OWN VERSION.
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM MAXIM
MAKE LOVE NOT WAR!
Where learned: ON A BUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; PACIFISM ; SEX
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
AGRICULTURAL PROVERB
MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES.
MAKE LOVE WHILE THE MOON SHINES.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; INCREMENTAL REPITITION ; ITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 04-09-1971
PROVERB
MAKE HASTE SLOWLY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; OXYMORON
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
PROVERBS
YOU CAN'T THROW THE BALL BEFORE YOU CATCH IT.
Submitter comment: I DON'T REMEMBER
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG
Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Spelling Aid
Arithmetic: A Rat In Tom's House May Eat Tom's Ice Cream.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
BN V300 and MNEM chosen due to previous/existing classification of such entries using the same mnemonic device.
James Callow comment:
Original BN [A784] Crossed out and replaced with the term Mnemonic Device.
Submission Card was located in a pile marked To Be Classified.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Arithmetic ; EDUCATION ADVICE ; MATHEMATICS ; MEMORY ; Mnemonic Device ; SPELLING
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Spelling Aid
Geography - George Eats Old Gray Rats And Paints Houses Yellow.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TR.Davidson
V300 and MNEM chosen due to previous entries of similar or exact substance using these classifications.
James Callow comment:
Original BN [A784] crossed out and the term mnemonic device is written next to it.
Submission card was located in a pile markled To Be Classified.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; EDUCATION ADVICE ; GEOGRAPHY ; MNEMONIC ; Mnemonic Device ; SPELLING
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |