Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CUSTOM returned 579 results.
Myth
Easter Bunny:
The Easter Bunny - A big rabbit with a white tail who hides eggs around your house.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P429] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; Bunny ; CUSTOM ; Easter ; Eggs ; Hare ; holiday ; MYTH ; Rabbit
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Custom: Holiday
On February 2nd, the groundhog is said to come out of his place of hibernation to see if winter is over. If it is over, he will see his shadow, and if he does not see it, the groundhog returns for another six full weeks of winter.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
original BN [B462.642] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; CUSTOM ; Groundhog ; holiday ; SEASONS ; Shadow ; Spring ; WINTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Entry filtered.
Toast
Here's to your health, may it ever be so weak.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; DRINKING ; HEALTH ; Social ; TOAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Sneezing:
If you don't say "God Bless You" everytime someone sneezes, they can have bad luck becasue some of their good fortune escaped when they sneezed.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B477] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
[Something DONE, not said or written]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Bless ; COMEBACK ; CUSTOM ; God ; Response ; RETORT ; SNEEZE ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Ethnic:Hawaiian
WHEN TRAVELERS LEAVE HAWAII, THEY THROW THEIR LEIS
OVER THE SIDE OF THE SHIP. IF IT FLOATS TO SHORE THEY WILL
RETURN, IF IT FLOATS TO SEA, THEY WILL NEVER
RETURN.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; Float ; FLOWERS ; Garland ; Hawaii ; Hawaiian ; Lei ; Lore ; Ocean ; SEA ; Ship
James Callow Keyword(s): FLOWERS ; Garland ; Lei ; NECK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 03-19-1968
Ethnic: Polish
A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CALLS FOR EACH SERVING TO BE
SERVED SEPARATELY. THE NEXT SERVING IS NOT BROUGHT ON UNTIL THE
PREVIOUS ONE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY ALL THAT WANT IT. GENERALLY,
THE SERVINGS ARE OF VEGETABLES. THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN. NOTHING
IS DRANK DURING THE MEAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated 02-23-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; DRINK ; ETHNIC ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; meat ; POLISH ; Serve ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
Ethnic: Polish
IN POLAND, AND IN MANY POLISH-AMERICAN HOMES, THE VIGIL OF
CHRISTMAS IS A VERY SOLEMN OCCASION. A VARIETY OF FOOD IS SERVED,
TWELVE DISHES IN ALL, TO REPRESENT THE TWELVE APOSTLES. NO DAIRY
PRODUCTS ARE ALLOWED. IT ALSO CONSISTS OF SPECIAL WAFERS CALLED
OPTATKI, WHICH THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTES TO EACH
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DAIRY ; Dinner ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SYMBOL ; Symbolic ; Vigil
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 10-27-1968
Ethnic: Italian
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT DURING LENT NOTHING MADE FROM EGGS
ARE ( IS ) EATEN UNTIL HOLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS PASSED TO THE INFORMANT FROM HER MOTHER AND
ORIGINALLY CAME FROM SOUTHERN ITALY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CUSTOM ; Eggs ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; Lent ; RELIGIOUS ; SELF-SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Christian Chronology |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
Custom: Holiday
"NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHO ENJOYED THE FIRST APRIL FOOL'S
DAY GUFFAWS. SOME SAY THE DAY OF BUFFOONERY BEGAN IN
FRANCE IN 1564, WHEN NEW YEAR'S DAY WAS CARRIED BACK
TO JANUARY 1 INSTEAD OF BEING CELEBRATED ON MARCH 25.
THOSE PEOPLE WHO OBJECTED TO THE TIME JUGGLE WERE
GIVEN MOCK NEW YEAR'S GIFTS ON APRIL 1, WHICH USED TO
BE THE FINAL DAY OF MERRYMAKING. THE PRACTICAL JOKE
CUSTOM POPPED UP IN BRITAIN BY THE 18TH CENTURY, AND
THE BRITISH EXPORTED THE ZANY PRACTICE TO NORTH
AMERICA."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD
Keyword(s): APRIL FOOL'S DAY ; Britain ; CUSTOM ; France ; holiday ; JOKE ; New Years ; Origin ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; Prank
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 April Fools CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 April Fools CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Belief
IN GERMANY YOU CANNOT KILL A TREE.
TODAY THIS IS A LAW, BUT IS BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT
THE GODS INHABITED THE TREES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B400] crossed out. Replaced with curretn classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; GERMAN ; Germany ; God ; Inhabit ; Law ; Live ; Origin ; SPIRIT ; Tree
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-11-1970
Custom: Holiday
ON CHRISTMAS EVE EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY LIGHTS A BAYBERRY
CANDLE AND THEN MAKES A WISH. IF THE CANDLES ARE ALLOWED TO
BURN TO THE ENDS THEN THE WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A CUSTOM CARRIED OUT IN THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY FOR
SEVERAL GENERATIONS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Bayberry ; Candle ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; Herb ; holiday ; PLANT ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; SYMBOL ; WISH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE FIRST GIRL A BOY SAW, HE WOULD SPRINKLE
HER WITH WATER. HOWEVER BOYS ARE BOYS WHEREVER YOU GO AND THEY
USUALLY USED A WHOLE BUCKET OF WATER ON EVERY GIRL THEY MET. THEIR
GIRL FRIENDS THEY SPRINKLED WITH PERFUME OR COLOGNE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated and Motifs Added / 02-28-2011 / TRD
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: TAYLOR ; Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ; informant's home
Keyword(s): Boy ; Cologne ; COURTSHIP ; CUSTOM ; DYNGUS DAY ; Female ; Flirt ; Flirtation ; Girl ; holiday ; Male ; Perfume ; RITUAL ; Scent ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
Proverb
The customer is always right.
Submitter comment:
Doesn't remember
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; BUSINESS ; Customer ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Wedding Custom
It is a custom for the bride and groom to entwine arms and share a cup of wine at the wedding reception.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Arm ; Arms ; Bride ; CEREMONY ; Cup ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; Entwine ; GLASS ; Groom ; Reception ; WEDDING ; Wine
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Wedding Custom
If the bride wears a garter at her wedding she usually removes it and tosses it to a group of single males. The man who catches it will marry next.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Bachelor ; Bride ; CUSTOM ; Garter ; MARRIAGE ; Men ; Reception ; Single ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Wedding Custom
Before the bride and groom leave for their honeymoon the bride throws her bridal bouquet over her shoulder or with her eyes closed to all single females present. The girl who catches the bouquet will be the next person to marry.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Bouquet ; CEREMONY ; CUSTOM ; Females ; FLOWERS ; Ladies ; MARRIAGE ; Single ; WEDDING ; WOMEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Wedding Custom
At all traditional weddings it is common for the guests and family of the groom to sit on one side of the church (room, etc) and for the guests and family of the bride to sit on the other side.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Bride ; CHURCH ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; FRIENDS ; Groom ; Pews ; SEPARATION ; Side ; Sit ; tradition ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Wheat Harvesting
In Kansas, we grow wheat in our section, and when it was tim eto cut and thrash the wheat, the neighbors would all help each _take turbns, first Mr. J's wheat. Then when finished, go the next day to Mr. H_then Mr. W_ etc._ All men in neighborhood would go and work with the other neighbors_and the wives of all of the men would meet at the home where the men were working, and help that housewife cook dinner for all, then next day to another house_this way everyone helped each other and had no wages to pay and the ladies loved being together.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: FLORIDA ; Plant City
Keyword(s): Agricultural ; Barter ; Community ; CUSTOM ; Domestic ; FARMING ; Harvesting ; LIFE ; Wheat
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Custom; Agriculture
Plant corn by the dark of the moon
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; CORN ; Crop ; CUSTOM ; FARMING ; HARVEST ; Lore ; MOON ; PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time F574.82.242.5 |