Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IRISH TRICKERY
THROW SALT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER IN CASE OR IF YOU FEEL
SOMEONE IS IN BACK OF YOU WITH A KNIFE AND TRY TO HARM YOU.
IF YOU FEEL THAT THE PERSON IN BACK OF YOU WILL HARM YOU, BY
ANY MEANS THAT THEY CAN, THEN DO THIS ALSO.
THIS WILL SCARE THEM OFF.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE IT INVOLES
A SAFETY PRECAUTION OF DANGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INVOLVES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001930S
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GOES OUT THE BACK DOOR
AT 11:59 AND SLOWLY WALKS TO THE FRONT DOOR AND WALKS IN AT 12:01
SIGNIFYING THE END OF THE OLD YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 11-22-1974
AH, AH, KOTKI DWA, SZARE BURE OBY DWA. TRANSLATION: OH, OH, KITTENS
TWO, GRAY AND BLACK ARE THE TWO
Submitter comment: RECITED WHILE ROCKING INFANT TO SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; COLORS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.366 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-20-1974
CURSE TO KEEP PEOPLE AWAKE
FIRST WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD PERSON TELLING HIM ABOUT THIS PERSON
YOU WANT TO KEEP AWAKE AT NIGHT TO THINK ABOUT HIS WRONG DOINGS. YOU
THEN SEAL THE LETTER AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR BED. YOU ALSO PUT A
GLASS OF WATER ON TOP OF THE LETTER. WHEN THE WATER EVAPORATES THE
SPELL IS WORKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS CURSE WAS USED ON A MALE FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT AND IT WAS
SUCCESSFUL. IT WAS USED IN FLORIDA.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; FLORIDA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): INSOMNIA ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
IF YOU LIE A BUMP WILL GROW ON YOUR TONGUE OR YOU WILL ACCIDENTALLY
BITE YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): LYING ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
Entry filtered.
AN ITCHING RIGHT HAND PALM IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK WHILE AN ITCHING
LEFT PALM IS A SIGN OF FINANCIAL LOSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
WHEN MY YOUNGER BROTHER AWOKE DURING THE NIGHT, HE MISTAKENLY
ENTERED THE CLOSET AND SCREAMED. WHEN THE FAMILY ARRIVED, HE TOLD
THEM THAT A LADY DRESSED IN WHITE HAD REACHED OUT TO PAT HIM ON
THE HEAD. TWO DAYS LATER, THE FAMILY RECEIVED A TELEGRAM THAT THE
BOY'S GRANDMOTHER HAD DIED IN POLAND THE SAME NIGHT THE LADY IN
WHITE APPEARED IN THE CLOSET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
WHEN YOU CUT A DECK OF CARDS AND THE ACE OF SPADES SHOWS UP, THIS
SIGNIFIES DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
THE REASON BELL BOTTOM PANTS WERE USED IN THE NAVY WAS THEY COULD
ROLL THEM UP EASIER WHEN SAILORS HAD TO SWAB THE DECKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs |
Date learned: 10-17-1972
VIRGINITY
IN BRAZIL THE NEWLYWEDS HANG A BLOODY SHEET ON THE DOOR POST TO
SHOW THAT THE BRIDE WAS A VIRGIN
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYMEN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-19-1972
TANGLETALK
MARDON ME PADAM IS THIS PIE OCCUPEWED? YES, MAY I SOW YOU TO A SHEAT
IN THE CHACK OF THE BURCH?, MY THIS IS A CHEAUTIFUL BURCH. YES MANY
THINKLE PEEP SO. (PARDON ME MADAM. IS THIS PEW OCCUPIED? YES.
MAY I SHOW YOU TO A SEAT IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH? MY! THIS IS A
BEAUTIFUL CHURCH. YES, MANY PEOPLE THINK SO.)
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): MONOLOGUE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001972 SUMMER
RED-RED YOU PEE IN THE BED./GREEN-GREEN YOU'RE
CLEAN./PINK-PINK, YOU STINK, BLACK-BLACK SIT ON A TACK, PURPLE-PURPLE
YOU WEAR A GIRDLE/BROWN-BROWN STICK AROUND/ WHITE-WHITE YOU'RE RIGHT
BLUE-BLUE I LOVE YOU."
A JUST FOR FUN RHYME.
Submitter comment: I USED TO RECITE THIS AS A CHILD.
James Callow Keyword(s): COLORS
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00001960S
IF SOMEONE IS SUSPECTED OF LYING
THIS WAS COMMONLY SAID BY INFORMER AS A RETORT TO SOMEONE SUSPECTED
OF LYING.OH, YOU'VE GOT A PIMPLE ON YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
TANGLE TALK
HOLD ON TO THE END OF YOUR TONGUE AND SAY "I WAS RAISED IN A
SHIPYARD" THREE TIMES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS MY 14 YEAR OLD SISTER WHO SAYS THIS TANGLETALK IS
GOING AROUND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): TONGUE HOLDER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
VERSE
WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND OUT OF SHAPE. REMEMBER CORSETS...$4.98.
Submitter comment:
"DOLLY HALSIG" IS THE NAME SIGNED UNDER THIS ENTRY
ON THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 06-09-1944
PRANKS - PENNSYLVANNIA
PUSH OUTHOUSES FOR HALLOWEEN PRANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
JOKE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SWALLOWED BY AN ELEPHANT?
ANSWER: YOU RUN AROUND TIL YOU GET POOPED OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL BOWEL MOVEMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
MOTHER MAY I
ONE PERSON IS CHOSEN THE "MOTHER." HE THEN TELLS THE OTHER
PEOPLE WHAT KIND AND HOW MANY STEPS THEY MAY TAKE E.G. THREE
GIANT OR BABY STEPS. THE PERSON MUST ASK "MOTHER MAY I"
BEFORE HE CAN MOVE. IF HE FORGETS, HE CANNOT TAKE THE STEPS
AND
MUST GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING. THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO
REACHES MOTHER FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS TEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00001950S
MOTHER MAY I
WHEN I WAS A CHILD THE GROUP I PLAYED WITH PLAYED " MOTHER MAY I."
IN THIS GAME, ONE PERSON BECAME "MOTHER". THE OBJECT WAS TO GET
FROM ONE LINE TO ANOTHER. YOU DID THIS BY DOING WHAT MOTHER SAID.
MOTHER WOULD TELL YOU TO TAKE A GIANT STEP, PINCH STEP, SIDE STEP,
HOP, SKIP, JUMP OR ANYTHING ELSE. BEFORE THE PERSON COULD DO IT HE
MUST ASK "MOTHER MAY I?" AND SHE WOULD ANSWER "YES, YOU MAY" OR NO
"YOU MAY NOT". SNEAKING STEPS WERE SOMETIMES ALLOWED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 10-07-1972