Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for LEFT returned 59 results.
IF YOU STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK. IF YOU
STUMP YOUR RIGHT TOE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IT IS BAD LUCK TO SPILL SALT UNLESS YOU THROW SOME OVER
YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER AFTER SPILLING THE SALT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 10-30-1973
IF YOUR RIGHT EAR RINGS IT MEANS YOU'LL RECEIVE GOOD NEWS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 07-01-1973
IF YOUR LEFT EAR RINGS IT MEANS YOU'LL RECEIVE BAD NEWS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 07-01-1973
YOU SHOULD VIEW A NEW MOON OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER AND TURN
A SILVER COIN IN YOUR POCKET FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
Date learned: 07-04-1973
IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS YOU THROW
SOME SALT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink BELIEF -- Conversions Food and drink |
Date learned: 07-04-1973
PREDICTION: SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
WHEN PREGNANT WOMAN CARRIES CHILD HIGH, THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL.
IF CHILD IS CARRIED LOW, THEN IT WILL BE A BOY.
IF CHILD IN WOMB KICKS ON RIGHT SIDE, IT WILL BE A BOY. ON LEFT
SIDE, IT WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION, DIRECTION ; RIGHT, LEFT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1969
RIDDLE
ON WHICH SIDE OF A CHURCH DOES A CYPRESS TREE GROW?
-- THE OUTSIDE.
Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
RIDDLE
IF A ROOSTER LAID AN EGG ON TOP OF A ROOF, WHICH WAY WOULD
IT FALL?
-- ROOSTERS DON'T LAY EGGS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; LEFT RIGHT EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
RIDDLE
IF A ROOSTER LAID AN EGG ON THE TOP OF A ROOF, WHICH WAY
WOULD THE EGG ROLL?
-- NEITHER, ROOSTERS DON'T LAY EGGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMAL LEFT RIGHT EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
RIDDLE
IF A DIESEL WERE HEADING UP A HILL INTO A SEVENTY MILE AN
HOUR CROSS WIND WHICH WAY WOULD THE SMOKE GO?
-- NO DIRECTION BECAUSE DIESELS DON'T SMOKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT NORTH EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
Superstition
Black Cat:
If a black cat crosses your path to the left you'll have bad luck. If he crosses to the right you'll have good luck.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B440, P880] crossed out / Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; Black ; CAT ; Feline ; LEFT ; LUCK ; OMEN ; RIGHT ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Proverb
Don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.
Submitter comment:
From - Uncertain
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Hand ; LEFT ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; RIGHT ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
A CHILD CARRIED TO THE LEFT SIDE IS A BOY; TO THE
RIGHT SIDE, A GIRL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boy ; CARRY ; gender ; Girl ; LEFT ; PREDICTION ; PREGNANCY ; RIGHT ; Side ; STOMACH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-20-1973
IF THE NEWBORN BABY LIES ON HIS LEFT SIDE, HE WILL BE
LEFT-HANDED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; Dexterity ; LEFT ; RIGHT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 10-13-1973
IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOME
MONEY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CORNERSVILLE
Keyword(s): fortune ; Hand ; ITCH ; LEFT ; MONEY ; OMEN ; SIGN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 00001972-00001973 (ASSUMED)
WHEN DRESSING, TO AVOID BAD LUCK, ALWAYS DRESS
YOURSELF FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; DIRECTION ; LEFT ; LUCK ; RIGHT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
MISCELLANEOUS CUSTOMS
A SEAMAN LEAVING THE FORECASTLE TO GO AFT, EITHER FOR HIS TRICK AT
THE WHEEL OR OTHER WORK, GOES AFT ALONG THE LEESIDE OF THE VESSEL,
UNLESS HIS IMMEDIATE DUTY LIES TO THE WINDWARD.
A SEAMAN SUMMONED TO THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN REMOVED HIS CAP AND
DROPPED IT TO THE DECK JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR.
A MARINER ENTERING A NEW SHIP, OR EVEN AN OLD SHIP, FOR THE FIRST
TIME MAKES CERTAIN THAT HIS RIGHT FOOT IS THE FIRST TO TOUCH THE
DECK.
IT WAS A BREECH OF ETIQUETTE FOR A SEAMAN TO LOCK HIS SEA CHEST
WHILE ON BOARD HIS SHIP. OFFENDERS OFTEN FOUND, WHEN THEY
RETURNED TO THE FORECASTLE FROM THEIR WATCH ON DECK, THAT THE
COVER HAD BEEN NAILED DOWN.
IN THE BRITISH AND UNITED STATES NAVIES, A SCARF OF BLACK SILK IS
WORN, ORIGINALLY AS A MARK OF WARNING (MOURNING?) FOR THE DEATH
OF LORD NELSON.
IN THE ROYAL NAVY, OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN ROUND EITHER THE CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE OR CAPE HORN MAY PUT ONE FOOT ON THE WARDROOM TABLE;
BOTH CAPES CARRY THE RIGHT TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE TABLE.
BY NAVAL CUSTOM THE SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT IS ALWAYS THE LAST
INTO A BOAT AND THE FIRST OUT OF IT.
Submitter comment:
CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HAS LEARNED THESE CUSTOMS THROUGH THE
YEARS THAT HE HAS BEEN SAILING, BOTH IN THE U.S. NAVY AND UP AT
MACKINAW ISLAND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND
Keyword(s): British ; Captain ; Etiquette ; Language ; Lingo ; Naval ; Navy ; POSITION ; Seaman ; Ship ; Uniform ; United States
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; LEFT ; POSITION ; RIGHT
OUTSIDER'S LAMENT
I FELT LIKE A PORK CHOP AT A JEWISH PICNIC~
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): Anecdote ; DIET ; Exclusion ; FOOD ; Jest ; Jewish ; Left-out ; METAPHOR ; Pork ; RELIGION ; SIMILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR