Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PLANT BELIEF
IF A PLANT THAT WAS GIVEN TO YOU BY A FRIEND DIES, THEN
THE FRIENDSHIP DIES, TEND BOTH WELL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Botany ; DEATH ; fortune ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; PLANT ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WISDOM
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; HOMEOPATHIC ; Positive
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-19-1971
CAR BELIEF
IF A GIRL IS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSES OVER RAILROAD
TRACKS, SHE MUST LIFT UP HER FEET OR SHE WILL NOT GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS ATTITUDE WAS QUITE SKEPTICAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FEET ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; DISBELIEF ; POSITION
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DIET
FIVE POUNDS CAN BE LOST IN THREE DAYS BY EATING HARD
BOILED EGGS AND DRINKING WATER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT FOUND THIS ABSURD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DIET ; HEALTH ; WEIGHT ; Weightloss
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-11-1971
WALKING
WHEN WALKING WITH SOMEONE NEVER LET A POLE OR ANY
OTHER BARRIER COME BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE. BOTH PEOPLE MUST
GO AROUND THE SAME SIDE OF THE BARRIER OR SOME BARRIER WILL
COME BETWEEN THEIR PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS AUNT DOES THIS AND INFORMANT HAS BEEN WITH HER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BARRIER ; BELIEF ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; WALKING
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
BELIEF
IF A PERSON ENTERS ONE DOOR, HE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE SAME TO
AVOID BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMANTS GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS MADE SURE THIS WAS DONE IN
HER HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Door ; Entrance ; Exit ; Huse ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 09-22-1970
WALKING DOWN STAIRS
WHEN WALKING UP OR DOWN STAIRS WITH ANOTHER PERSON THE TWO
PEOPLE MUST WALK ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STAIRS OR BAD LUCK
WILL FOLLOW THEM.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS AUNT TOLD HER THIS. INFORMANT HAS BEEN WITH HER
AUNT WHEN SHE HAS DONE THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; LUCK ; Relationship ; Stairs ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
RAILROAD CROSSING
WHENEVER DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS EVERYONE IN THE CAR
SHOULD LIFT THEIR FEET OFF THE FLOOR, DRIVER INCLUDED, AND
TOUCH THE ROOF OF THE CAR WITH THEIR HANDS. THIS IS TO INSURE THE
OCCUPANTS OF A LONG LIFE AND TO WARD OFF THE COMING OF OLD AGE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOES THIS OFTEN WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS IN A CAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; FEET ; Roof ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
BAD GIFT
A GIFT OF A KNIFE WILL PUT AN END TO, OR CUT A FRIENDSHIP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-31-1968
SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF
IF YOU GIVE A PIN TO SOMEONE WHO'S YOUR FRIEND AND THEY DO
NOT GIVE YOU A PENNY BACK, SOONER OR LATER YOU HAVE A FIGHT AND YOU
LOSE THEM AS A FRIEND. ( THIS ALSO EXTENDS TO ANY GIFT THAT CUTS.)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS MOTHER BELEIVES THIS FIRMLY AND SAYS THAT SOONER OR LATER
YOU ARE SURE TO LOSE THIS FRIEND IF THIS SMALL RITUAL IS NOT
CARRIED OUT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Payment ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
PREDICTION BELIEF
DO NOT GIVE A KNIFE AS A GIFT OR YOU WILL FIGHT WITH THE
PERSON TO WHOM YOU GAVE IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
IF YOU VISIT PEOPLE IN A NEW HOME, BRING BREAD AND SALT
AS A GIFT, AND THE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY TO EAT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY ; UTICA
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BREAD ; Eat ; FOOD ; GIFT ; Housewarming ; Salt ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-31-1969
WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE OVER WATER HOLD YOUR BREATH AND
PICK UP YOUR FEET OR YOU LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
ACQUIRED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WHILE SHE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; BREATH ; Bridge ; FEET ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WATER
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
Date learned: 08-02-1969
PREDICTION
WHILE GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR FEET
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BOY OR GIRL FRIEND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
Date learned: 09-00-1969
WHEN YOU ARE RIDING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS IN A CAR, YOU
SHOULD LIFT YOUR FEET OFF THE FLOOR SO YOU WILL NOT LOSE YOUR
NEXT GIRL FRIEND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; Car ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: |
Date learned: 09-25-1968
GOOD LUCK
WHEN GIVING A PURSE OR WALLET AS A GIFT, ALWAYS INCLUDE A PENNY
SO THE PERSON WON'T GO BROKE.
WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH A SHARP EDGE, SUCH AS A KNIFE OR A LETTER-OPENER, ALWAYS INCLUDE A COIN SO THE FRIENDSHIP WON'T BE CUT.
Submitter comment:
These customs were telated with skepticism, but I receivedf a purse as a gift (with a penny included!) on the very same day.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Re: Collector Comment: [I am glad you are including this kind of information.]
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COIN ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
BELIEF
WHEN A FRIEND LEAVES, DON'T WATCH HIM GO OUT OF SIGHT
OR YOU WILL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD THIS WHEN PARTED FROM BOY FRIEND WHO BELIEVED THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Departure ; Goodbye ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
CRUEL BABYSITTER
IN HARPER WOODS {MICHIGAN} THIS GIRL WENT TO BABYSIT FOR
A FAMILY WITH A SMALL BABY. BEFORE THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
WERE TO COME HOME, THE SITTER THOUGHT SHE WOULD SURPRISE
THE PARENTS WITH A MIDNIGHT SNACK. SO SHE SET THE TABLE
AND TOOK THE BABY AND BAKED IT AS THE MEAL SHE WOULD
SET FOR THE PARENTS. WHEN THE PARENTS CAME HOME THEY
WERE GREETED WITH A MEAL WHICH THEY DID NOT KNOW WAS
THEIR CHILD. IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS GIRL
WAS TAKING LSD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; Babysitter ; CANNIBALISM ; Consumption ; DRUGS ; FOOD ; Hallucinogen ; HORROR ; LSD ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): HALLUCINOGENIC DRUG
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
DEATH
YOU CAN TELL IF SOMEONE IS DEAD BY PUTTING A MIRROR UNDER THEIR NOSE,
AND LOOK FOR MOISTURE DUE TO BREATHING TO SETTLE ON THE MIRROR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD 201
Keyword(s): BREATH ; DEATH ; LIFE ; MEDICAL ; Mirror ; SIGN ; Signal ; TRICK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
WEDDING DRESS OMEN
A GIRL SHOULD NEVER WEAR A WEDDING DRESS BEFORE HER TIME OR SHE WILL
REMAIN A WIDOW.
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF FROM SABINAS, MEXICO. PROBABLY COMMON IN MANY COUNTRIES. IN
FORMANT EXPRESSED LITTLE BELIEF IN IT HERSELF.
BY WIDOW THE INFORMANT MEANS SPINSTER MAIDEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; DRESS ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | Observation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981