Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CROSSING OF ANY TWO FINGERS IS A WISH FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 02-23-1971
IF YOU CROSS YOUR FINGERS, IT'S GOOD LUCK, BUT IF
YOU CROSS THE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS IT'S BAD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22 |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HOPE, ONE CROSSES THE INDEX AND
MIDDLE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS. TO GAIN ADDED
EMPHASIS, CROSS THE END TWO FINGERS ALSO.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Communication ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Hope ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
BEFORE A BASKETBALL GAME ALL THE PLAYERS ON SACRED
HEART SEMINARY'S TEAM WOULD GATHER AROUND THE COACH
AND PLACE THEIR HANDS ON TOP OF HIS AND PRAY A
HAIL MARY, AND THEN "QUEEN OF VICTORY, PRAY FOR
US." THIS WAS DONE FOR LUCK IN WINNING THE GAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Basketball ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GAME ; hail Mary ; LUCK ; Pray ; PRAYER ; Sacred Heart ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION ; Victory
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER WHEN SWIMMING, YOU SHOULD
BLESS YOURSELF WITH A SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THE
WATER, TO ENSURE A SAFE SWIM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bless ; BLESSING ; Cross ; CUSTOM ; EXERCISE ; GAME ; LUCK ; SAFETY ; Sport ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; SWIMMING ; WATER
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO SHAKE THE HAND OF A CHIMNEY SWEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Chimney ; Communication ; CUSTOM ; GREETING ; Hands ; LUCK ; Shake Hands ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 03-14-1970
WHEN A PERSON IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING IN WHICH HE
OR SHE NEEDS GOOD LUCK, THE PEOPLE WAITING FOR
THEM AND THEY THEMSELVES CROSS THEIR MIDDLE AND
FOREFINGERS FOR LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1955-1963.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
CROSSING THE MIDDLE AND FOREFINGERS IS A
SYMBOL FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CROSSING YOUR FINGERS IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
THE SAME GESTURE CAN ALSO BE USED TO ALLOW A LIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: FREMONT ; OHIO, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Lie ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN ORDER TO RETAIN A CERTAIN STREAK OF LUCK WHICH YOU
PRESENTLY HAVE GOING FOR YOU, ONE SHOULD CROSS HIS
FINGERS, I.E., INDEX FINGER AND THIRD FINGER OVER IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 00001950S
CROSSING THE FINGERS IS A SIGN ONE WOULD MAKE IF HE
WISHES TO HAVE GOOD LUCK FALL HIS WAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Belief; Custom; Superstition; Gesture; Crossing; Fingers; Cross; Finger; Luck;
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN DRIVING PAST A GRAVEYARD, CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND PUT
THEM ON THE CEILING, CROSS YOUR FEET AND LIFT THEM UP.
THIS GIVES YOU A HAPPY DEATH, GOOD LUCK IN LIFE, AND
PREVENTS SPIRITS FROM HAUNTING YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Ceiling ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FEET ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; GRAVEYARD ; Haunt ; LUCK ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 09-00-1969
FOR GOOD LUCK, ONE SHOULD CROSS TWO FINGERS ON ONE HAND
BUT SHOULD HE CROSS FINGERS ON TWO HANDS, IT WILL
RESULT IN BAD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN GERMANY INSTEAD OF CROSSING FINGERS FOR GOOD LUCK,
THE PEOPLE HOLD THEIR THUMBS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
CLENCHING FIST OVER THE THUMB OF THAT HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Germany ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Thumbs
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
THE "KNOCKING ON WOOD" SIGNIFIES LUCK THAT A PERSON
NEEDS. BY DOING IT, THE PERSON HOPES THAT ALL TURNS
OUT THE WAY IT IS DESIRED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ON A DATE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 02-12-1968
IF YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE "I'VE NEVER BROKEN MY LEG,"
KNOCK ON WOOD SO IT WON'T HAPPEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 04-02-1968
IF YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING GOOD LUCK AND YOU HAPPEN TO
MENTION IT OUT LOUD, YOU SHOULD KNOCK ON A PIECE OF
WOOD SO YOUR LUCK WILL NOT LEAVE YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE WHO JUST LOST THEIR
HUSBAND (DIED OR DIVORCED), YOU KNOCK ON WOOD SO
YOU WON'T LOSE YOURS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; Divorce ; GESTURE ; HUSBAND ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; SUPERSTITION ; Wife ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.44 |
Date learned: 01-25-1968
KNOCK ON WOOD FOR LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
WHEN AN ITALIAN PINCHES SOMEONE ELSE ON THE CHEEKS OF
THEIR FACE, IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF APPROVAL OF THAT
PERSON. IT ALSO IS A GESTURE WISHING THE PERSON
GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ; Approval ; BELIEF ; Cheeks ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Italian ; LUCK ; Pinch ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.1 |
Date learned: 09-20-1969