Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for POSITION returned 662 results.
YOU SHOULD NEVER SWEEP DUST OUT OF THE BACK DOOR WHEN
SWEEPING THE FLOOR, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOUR FATHER
WILL DIE IN A SHORT TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 10-28-1967
BURP A BABY OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND HE'LL GROW UP
TO BE TALL.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PASTEUR SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
IF YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD IT IS ATTRIBUTED TO GETTING
UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
IF YOU LOSE A BASEBALL OR ANYTHING OUTDOORS, SPIT
ON YOUR HAND AND THEN SLAP DOWN ON THAT HAND WITH
THE OTHER. YOU WILL FIND THE LOST ARTICLE IN THE
DIRECTION OF THE LARGEST SPLASH OF THE SPITTLE.
Submitter comment: FROM CHILDHOOD PEERS, PORTAGE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PORTAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
IF YOU GET LOST, SPIT IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND AND
PUNCH YOUR FIST INTO YOUR PALM. THE DIRECTION THE
SPIT FLIES IS THE DIRECTION YOU SHOULD TRAVEL IN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE REMEMBERS THIS
FROM HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
BROKEN BREAD
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN RURAL BULGARIA, THE OLDEST PERSON
IN THE HOUSEHOLD BREAKS A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD OVER
HIS HEAD. IF WHEN THE LOAF BREAKS, THE LARGEST
CHUNK REMAINS IN THE RIGHT HAND, THERE WILL BE GOOD
HARVEST FORTHCOMING. THERE WILL NOT BE A GOOD HARVEST
IF THE LARGEST PIECE OF BREAD BREAKS INTO HIS LEFT
HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BULGARIA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 03-21-1970
DIVINING WATER
WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PLANNING TO CUT OUT A FRUIT
(IT TURNED OUT TO BE A QUINCE) TREE FROM OUR BACKYARD,
MRS. FOSTER ASKED IF IT WERE A PEACH TREE. SHE
WANTED A Y-SHAPED BRANCH FOR A WATER-DIVINING ROD.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE A COTTAGE IN CANADA AND SHE
WANTED TO SEE WHERE THE WELL SHOULD BE DUG.
WHEN I QUESTIONED HER ABOUT THIS STRANGE REQUEST,
SHE TOLD ME THAT DIVINING WATER BE DONE BY POINTING
A PEACH OR WILLOW BRANCH AT THE GROUND AND THAT THE
BRANCH WOULD REALLY PULL ITSELF TOWARD THE SPOT WHERE
WATER WOULD BE FOUND.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE HAS EVER DONE IT HERSELF, BUT SHE
REALLY BELIEVES THAT YOU CAN DIVINE WATER THIS WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
WHEN A KNIFE DROPS, A MAN IS GOING TO COME FROM THE
DIRECTION IT POINTS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS SOMETHING HER MOTHER TOLD HER.
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware |
Date learned: 09-24-1969
A NEEDLE HANGING ON A THREAD THAT IS 18 INCHES LONG
WILL TELL IF A PERSON IS LYING OR TELLING THE TRUTH.
IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT ANY
AGITATION, THE PERSON IS TELLING THE TRUTH.
IF THE NEEDLE BEGINS TO SWING IN A CIRCLE WITHOUT
ANY AGITATION, THE PERSON IS LYING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS METHOD WAS USED IN
DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON WAS TELLING THE
TRUTH. SHE REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
PREVENTATIVE
WHEN (YOU) SPILL A SALT SHAKER, THROW SALT OVER
YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER TO PREVENT GETTING IN AN
ARGUMENT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
YOU SHOULD NEVER STEP OVER A CHILD WHO IS LYING ON
THE GROUND. NOT ONLY IS IT EXTREMELY BAD LUCK,
BUT YOU WILL ALSO STUNT THE CHILD'S GROWTH.
Submitter comment:
I HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF STEPPING OVER MY COUSIN
ONE DAY AND I NEARLY GAVE MY GRANDMOTHER A HEART
ATTACK WHEN I DID IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Bad luck Gestures SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A BABY CRIES AT NIGHT AND SLEEPS IN THE DAY,
THEN TURN HIM IN A SUMMERSAULT TO REVERSE HIS
SCHEDULE--HE IS CONFUSED AS TO THE NIGHT AND THE
DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
WHEN YOU KILL A GRANDADDY LONG-LEGS, LOOK AT THE WAY ITS
LEGS ARE POINTING AND IT IS SUPPOSE(D) TO SHOW WHICH
DIRECTION THE COWS WENT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FAYETTEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ARACHNID ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 07-06-1970
PUT BROOMS IN FRONT OF ALL THE DOORS AND WICHES CANNOT
COME INSIDE. BE SURE TO PUT THE BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR
AND THE WITCH WILL TRIP OVER IT. IF YOU PUT THE BROOM
LONGWAYS, THE WITCHES CAN JUST SLIDE IN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware |
Date learned: 00001920 CA.
IF SOMEONE IS SPRAWLED ACROSS THE FLOOR, AND YOU STEP OVER
HIM, YOU HAVE TO STEP BACK OVER HIM FROM THE OPPOSITE
DIRECTION OR HE WON'T GROW ANYMORE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 08-08-1968
LITTLE CHILDREN WHO TWIRL AROUND MANY TIMES ARE TOLD
THAT THEY WILL START SCREAMING AND NEVER STOP.
Where learned: KENTUCKY, ASSUMED ; LOUISVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P428 BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A BLACK CAT WALKS ACROSS YOUR PATH, YOU CAN CONVERT
THE BAD LUCK BY ROLLING UP ONE PANTS' LEG AND TURNING
YOUR HAT AROUND BACKWARDS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.50 BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 07-03-1972
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH, TAKE TEN STEPS BACK
TO COUNTER THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: INDIANA ; NEW ALBANY
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals BELIEF -- Conversions |
IF A BLACK CAT HAS CROSSED YOUR PATH, MAKE AN X IN FRONT
OF YOURSELF AND CHANGE YOUR DIRECTION TO PREVENT BAD LUCK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LAFAYETTE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
CATCH A BLACK CAT AFTER HE CROSSES YOUR PATH AND THROW
HIM IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS WILL BREAK THE BAD
LUCK SPELL HE PUT ON YOU.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN