Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for GESTURE returned 48 results.
IF A PERSON LOOKS AT YOU WITH THE EVIL EYE YOU CAN
RETURN IT BY PLACING YOUR INDEX AND BABY FINGERS
APREAD OUT AND POINTED DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE
YOU SAFE FROM IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE IN SICILY BY ALL THE PEOPLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SICILY
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12 |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
KNOCK ON WOOD SO NOTHING WILL HAPPEN AFTER YOU SAID IT
MIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knock On Wood ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P670 P670.88 |
Date learned: 00001950S
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING PEJORATIVE ABOUT ANOTHER,
SPIT THREE TIMES ON THE BACK OF THE FIRST TWO FINGERS
OF THE RIGHT HAND TO WARD OFF THE INTENDED EVIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL EYE ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; INSULT ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- P670 P670.88 |
Date learned: 03-02-1972
TO SPIT ON A NEW-BORN BABY
WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKS AT ANOTHER'S NEW-BORN BABY, THEY
MUST HAVE A LITTLE SALIVA FALL UPON THE CHILD. IF
NOT, THE EVIL EYE IS CAST UPON THE BABY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; GESTURE ; PREVENTION ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward ; Woman
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Dreams P841.61 P542 SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12 |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
TO WARD OFF THE "COOTIES" SO COMMON TO ALL GRADE
SCHOOL CHILDREN, A GESTURE OF 2 FISTS TOGETHER WITH THE
THUMBS EXTENDED IS MADE.
Data entry tech comment:
DIAGRAM IS ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Updated By TRD for BN. Card Info Update is Forthcoming.
Where learned: DORM ROOM
Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Classroom ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; Fists ; GAME ; GESTURE ; Grade School ; SLANG ; Thumb
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- P670 P670.88 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: 10-10-1969
THE PLACING OF THE HANDS OVER THE EYES, OR EARS, OR
MOUTH. USUALLY SIGNIFIES THE THREE LITTLE MONKEYS--
HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL AND SPEAK NO EVIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GESTURE ; Hear ; Hear No Evil ; See ; See No Evil ; Speak ; Speak No Evil ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P670 P670.88 BELIEF -- Emblem PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-26-1968
IF A PERSON CROSSES HIS ARMS OR HANDS IN THE FORM OF A
CROSS WHEN A VAMPIRE COMES, HE WILL DRIVE IT AWAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): Arms ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; Cross ; GESTURE ; Vampire ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN GOING UNDER A BRIDGE OR TUNNEL PUT UP YOUR ARMS AS IF
YOU WERE HOLDING UP THE ROOF OF THE CAR SO THE BRIDGE WON'T
FALL ON YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Arms ; BELIEF ; Bridge ; Collapse ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; PREVENTION ; Protection ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 03-00-1971