Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU WANT TO KEEP A PERSON OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, THROW SOME SALT
BEHIND THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL CONTROL OF WOULD-BE VISITORS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET SPIT ON THE BROOM AND SAY YOUR NAME.
IT WILL KEEP YOU FROM GOING TO JAIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL PROPERTIES OF SPIT ; NAME MAGIC ; PREVENTIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
SNAKES
IF YOU SEE A SNAKE OR DREAM ABOUT ONE, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSSIBLE GOSSIP, BACKBITING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about animals |
Date learned: 03-13-1975
WHISTLE IN YOUR EAR
IF YOU HEAR A WHISTLE IN YOUR EAR, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
IF YOU SAY THE ALPHABET UNTIL IT STOPS,
THE LETTER IT STOPS ON (WILL BE)
THE FIRST INITIAL OF THE NAME OF THE PERSON TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSSIBLE GOSSIP, BACKBITING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-13-1975
DEATH
IF A HUSBAND DIES, THE WIFE MUST WEAR BLACK OR SHE WILL DIE TOO.
Submitter comment: HE CONSIDERS THIS A MALTESE BELIEF.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
CLOTHES
NEVER HANG CLOTHES BACKWARDS OR SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
HORSESHOES
NEVER HANG A HORSESHOE UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE
DEVIL'S HORNS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
SHOES
LEAVING SHOES IN THE WRONG ORDER BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
HORSESHOE
THROW A HORSESHOE OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
WAITRESS BELIEF ABOUT SILVERWARE
NEVER PUT SILVERWARE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A CUSTOMER
OR YOU WON'T GET A TIP.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH A RIGHTHANDED CUSTOMER
HAVING TO REACH OVER FOR HIS SILVERWARE.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHTHANDEDNESS ; TIPPING
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG ROSE OF TRALEE
WHO LET HERSELF GO ON A SPREE.
NOW SHE WRITES TO THE PAPERS,
CONDEMING SUCH CAPERS,
AND SIGNS HERSELF MOTHER OF THREE.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: FLOWER (ROSE) FOR GIRL ; PERSONALITY CHANGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001960S
SENSE OF EVIL
IT IS THE OPINION OF MANY PEOPLE THAT ANIMALS HAVE AN EXTRA SENSE.
THIS SENSE--A PRESENT OF THE CREATOR--TELLS THEM WHEN EVIL PERSONS
OR BEINGS ARE ABOUT. THUS, WHEN A HORSE REARS FOR NO APPARENT
REASON AT ALL, IT IS SAID THAT HE IS SPOOKED, AND THAT WHICH
SPOOKS HIM IS USUALLY THE APPROACH OF MR. DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EXTRASENSORY ; PREMONITION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Characteristics of Animals BELIEF -- Animal |
BODY PART BELIEF
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES, YOU WILL LOSE MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-19-1972
EYES JUMPING
IF YOUR LEFT EYE JUMPS CONSTANTLY, YOU ARE GOING TO GET MAD. IF
YOUR RIGHT EYE JUMPS, YOU ARE GOING TO BE GLAD ABOUT SOMETHING.
Submitter comment: THIS HAS TOLD TO HAVE ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO INFORMANT.
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
Entry filtered.
RAVENS
LONDONERS BELIEVE THAT WHEN ALL RAVENS LEAVE THEIR CITY, DISASTER
WILL FOLLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BRITISH?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.32 |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
SUPERSTITION
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON KNOWLEDGE SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT BAD LUCK IS
THAT CONCERNING A BIRD THAT ENTERS THE HOUSE UNINVITED. SUCH A SIGN
MEANS ONLY ONE THING, SICKNESS, DEATH, DESPAIR. IT COULD BE ANY
SORT OF BIRD AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REMEDY THE EVIL. ONCE THE BIRD
HAS ENTERED IT DOESNT MATTER IF HE IS KILLED, CAUGHT, OR SET FREE.
EVIL WILL FOLLOW. IT COULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES, OR A FEW DAYS.
EITHER WAY, BAD LUCK WILL VISIT THE INHABITANTS OR THE BUILDING
ITSELF.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): UNINVITED GUEST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.32 |
Date learned: 10-00-1965
DON'T BURN YOUR HAIR WHEN IT COMES OUT IN THE COMB, YOU ARE
SUPPOSED TO THROW IT OUTSIDE FOR THE BIRDS TO MAKE THEIR NESTS
OUT OF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITE OF A CONTAGIOUS MAGIC BELIEF ALSO IN ARCHIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bird |
BEE
IT IS GOOD FOR A BEE TO STING YOU BECAUSE IT MAKES YOUR CELLS WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VITALIZING BEE STING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
SUPERSTITION
ITS GOOD FOR A BEE TO STING YOU BECAUSE IT MAKES YOUR CELLS WORK.
James Callow Keyword(s): VITALIZING BEE STING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |