Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
WASHING WITH A PIECE OF SILVER
SO THE NEW YEAR WILL BE PROSPEROUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 10-22-1968
IRISH CHRISTMAS PRACTICE
THE CHRIST CHILD WANDERS AROUND ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE FORM OF A
POOR PERSON. THE HOMES HAVE A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW, FOOD ON THE TABLE
AND THE DOOR UNLOCKED, TO WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE
Keyword(s): BELIEF
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
TALKING ANIMALS
IF YOU GO INTO THE BARN ON CHRISTMAS EVE YOU WILL FIND THAT THE
ANIMALS CAN TALK, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE AT MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A STORY THAT THE INFORMANT WOULD ALWAYS TELL ON CHRISTMAS
EVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CALUMET
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE , AT EXACTLY 12 PM, THE ANIMALS OF THE WORLD TALK
TO EACH OTHER IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
MAMMAL
ONLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE CATTLE TALK AMONG
THEMSELVES. THEY TLAK OF THE DAY, DURING THE NEW YEAR, WHEN THEY
WILL CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETARY.
Submitter comment:
OUR FATHER HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER DURING THE EARLY 1900'S. IT
WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN OLD SAYING EVEN THEN. DURING THE 1800'S ONE
MAN DID DIE AND HIS CATTLE TOWED HIS BODY TO THE CEMETARY (THIS
COULD HAVE BEEN THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
Date learned: 11-14-1971
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE BRIGHT STAR TO THE NORTH IS SHINING OVER THE
STABLE AT BETHLEHEM.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
IT IS BAD LUCK IF SOME ONE GIVES YOU BABY ARTICLES AS SOON AS YOU
KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): IMPLIED WARNING ; MISFORTUNE
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
BIRTH
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN SEES ANY FOOD SHE MUST BE OFFERED A TASTE OF IT,
OTHERWISE SHE WILL LOSE THE BABY BECAUSE SHE WILL BE THINKING ABOUT
THE FOOD ALL NIGHT
Submitter comment: ROMANIAN
Keyword(s): IMPLIED WARNING ADVICE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
GOOD FRIDAY
IF IT RAINS ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WILL RAIN THE NEXT SEVEN SUNDAYS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; OMEN ; RELIGION
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
Date learned: 02-20-1968
BOOM BOOM
IF IT THUNDER IN ALL FOOLS DAY
IT BRINGS GOOD CROPS OF GRASS AND HAY.
Data entry tech comment: ITEM KEYPUNCHED AS IS
Where learned: AUDIAS PIZZARIA
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; APRIL FOOL'S DAY ; BELIEF ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.890 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 April Fools CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 (April Fool's Day) BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
CORN
IF YOU PLANT CORN IN THE OLD OF THE MOON, IT WILL EAR OUT BETTER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE FARMING NATURE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE IMPLIED ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-09-1968
PROVERB
LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU, SNORE AND YOU SLEEP ALONE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALIENATION ; HUMOR ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-15-1964
STOLEN CORPSE OF DOG
TWO OLD LADIES IN BROOKLYN, N. Y., GOT UP ONE MORNING AND FOUND
THEIR OLD TERRIER HAD DIED DURING THE NIGHT. THEY CALLED THE HUMANE
SOCIETY WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRUCK AVAILABLE, IT BEING
SATURDAY, AND WOULD NOT BE AROUND UNTIL THE NEXT TUESDAY. THEY SAID
THE LADIES COULD BRING THE DOG DOWNTOWN IF THEY WISHED. NOT HAVING
THE MONEY FOR A TAXI FROM BROOKLYN TO THE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS IN
MANHATTAN, THEY TOOK THE SUBWAY DEEP DOWN TO A MANHATTAN STATION
SEVERAL LEVELS BELOW GROUND. MEANWHILE, THEY HAD PUT THE DEAD DOG IN
AN OLD SUITCASE. WHILE THEY WERE TRUDGING ALONG, A YOUNG NEGRO
OFFERED TO CARRY THE SUITCASE UP THE STAIRS. HE DID SO BUT WHEN HE
REACHED THE STREET HE QUICKLY TOOK OFF WITH HIS PRIZE.
Submitter comment:
( GOTTEN ) FROM A SALESMAN FROM NEW YORK CITY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK IS THE SETTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
A GRAVE MATTER
IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY
KENTUCKY LANDOWNER CONTRACTED A FEVER, FELL INTO A COMA, AND WITHIN
TWO DAYS PASSED AWAY. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE WAS BURIED IN THE
FAMILY CEMETERY. HER BODY WAS ADORNED IN BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS AND
PRECIOUS GEMS WERE PLACED ABOUT HER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CUSTOM.
ON THE NIGHT OF HER BURIAL, TWO GRAVE-ROBBERS EXUMED THE CASKET.
THEY OPENED THE LID AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING ONE OF HER
EARRINGS WHEN, IT WAS ALLEGED, SHE AWAKENED FROM HER COMA. THE
SURPRISED GRAVE-ROBBERS IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A SHOVEL AND STRUCK THE
SCREAMING GIRL ACROSS THE BACK OF HER HEAD. THEY THEN LOWERED THE
CASKET INTO THE PIT AND RECOVERED THE HOLE.
THIS STORY BECAME A LEGEND OVER THE COURSE OF THE FOLLOWING
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE YEARS UNTIL FINALLY IN THE 1920'S LOCAL
OFFICIALS, IN AN EFFORT TO REPUDIATE THE TALE, OPENED THE GRAVE.
THEY FOUND THE REMAINS OF THE YOUNG LADY LYING FACE DOWN WITH THE
REAR OF HER SKULL BASHED IN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A RESIDENT OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE ; LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
WISCONSIN KILLER
A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-03-1968
BELIEF
IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE FRONT DOOR AND LEAVES BY THE BACK DOOR IN
IRELAND IT WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE THE PERSON
TOOK ALL THE GOOD LUCK OUT WITH HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE POLICE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME IN IRELAND JUST
TO DISTURB THE WOMEN.
Where learned: LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; IRISH BELIEF
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
PRIEST AND LUCK
JAPANESE BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WILL HAVE BAD LUCK IF THE FIRST
PERSON HE MEETS ON THE STREET IS A BUDDIST (BUDDHIST) PRIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JAPANESE BELIEF
Date learned: 11-00-1968
GOOD LUCK
IN JAPAN, IT IS A VILLAGE BELIEF THAT WHEN STANDING ON A CERTAIN
ROCK FOUND ON A BEACH, ONE SEES THE EMPEROR, GOOD LUCK FOR ONE
YEAR WILL BE HIS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
Keyword(s): JAPANESE BELIEF ; NUMBERS: ONE ; TIME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Formation BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 11-13-1969
FOLK BELIEF (LUCK)
IN GERMAN VILLAGES WHEN A MAN ENTERS AN INN HE MUST HIDE HIS FACE
AND SEEK OUT HIS FRIENDS. HE MUST THEN BUY ALE FOR HIS CHRONIES
(CRONIES) BEFORE THEY RECOGNIZE HIM. THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
IF SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THE FIRST BEER FOR HIM IT IS
AN OMEN OF BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DRINKING ; GERMAN BELIEF ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
Date learned: 09-21-1968
BELIEF
IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A PERSON SPEAKS OF HIS OWN GOOD
FORTUNE, HE SHOULD AFTERWARDS KNOCK THREE TIMES ON SOME RAW,
UNFINISHED WOOD SO HIS LUCK WON'T CHANGE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT COLLECTED INFORMATION PASSED ON BY GRANDPARENTS IN UKRAINE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SUPERNATURAL: KNOCKING ON WOOD ; UKRAINIAN BELIEF
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-01-1967