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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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TO CURE A TOOTHACHE PICK THE TOOTH WITH A COFFIN NAIL,
MIDDLE TOE OF AN OWL, A SPLINTER FROM A TREE STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING OR APPLY THE JUICE OF A PRICKLY ASH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Claw ; Coffin ; Juice ; LIGHTNING ; Nail ; Owl ; Prickly Ash ; REMEDY ; Splinter ; TOOTHACHE ; Tree

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 09-30-1973

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RED CLOUDS AT NIGHT,
SHEPARD'S DELIGHT.
RED CLOUDS IN THE MORNING,
SHEPARD'S WARNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CORNERSVILLE

Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; Clouds ; Clouds ; COLOR ; Delight ; FARMING ; METEOROLOGY ; MORNING ; Night ; OMEN ; Portent ; Red ; Shepard ; SIGN ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 00001972-00001973 (ASSUMED)

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ROOSTER BELIEF

EARLY IN THE MORNING, BEFORE DAYLIGHT, YOU MAY SMELL SOMETHING
PECULIAR IN THE AIR. THIS IS THE SMELL OF JUDAS WHEN HE DIED BECAUSE
HE BETRAYED CHRIST WITH THE KISS IN EARLY MORNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO

Keyword(s): Daylight ; JUDAS ; MORNING ; RELIGION ; Rooster ; Smell ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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ELECTROCUTIONS

IT IS A COMMON BELIEF, REINFORCED BY MOVIES AND TELEVISION
SHOWS, THAT THE LIGHTS IN A PENITENTIARY DIM WHEN A CONVICT
IS ELECTROCUTED.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Death Row ; Dim ; Electricity ; ELECTROCUTION ; JAIL ; Lethal ; Lights ; Penitentiary ; PRISON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS

THE TEST FAMILY OWNS MUCH DOWNTOWN REAL ESTATE IN INDIANAPOLIS,
AND HAS AN OLD HOUSE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE COUNTY, JUST OUTSIDE
OF TOWN. THE GRANDFATHER'S GHOST IS SAID TO INHABIT THE NOW EMPTY
HOUSE. THIS IS BECAUSE AT NIGHT, BLUE LIGHTS CAN BE SEEN
FROM THE ROAD, COMING FROM THE WINDOWS. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE
A GREAT POPULATION OF CATS INHABITING THE AREA. THE OLD MAN
IS SAID TO HAVE HAD MANY WHILE HE WAS ALIVE. IT IS A POPULAR
LOCAL LEGEND, AND THE HOUSE IS OFTEN VISITED BY THE CURIOUS.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT SAID HIS UNCLE USED TO GO THERE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: INDIANA ; INDIANAPOLIS

Keyword(s): Blue Lights ; Cats ; Haunting ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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SUPERSTITION PERTAINING TO WOMEN AND CHICKEN

A WOMAN MUST NOT EAT CHICKEN LEST HER CHILDREN BECOME
FLIGHTY HEARTED LIKE THE BIRDS. THIS ABSTINENCE IS REQUIRED
THROUGHOUT HER ENTIRE LIFE NOT JUST DURING PREGNANCY.

Submitter comment:

THE SUPERSTITION IS PROPER TO THE BATOORO TRIBE OF ABOUT
100,000 PEOPLE IN UGANDA. THE SUPERSTITION IS DYING OUT
WITH INCREASED EDUCATION.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Batooro Tribe ; BEHAVIOR ; Chicken ; CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Consume ; Eat ; Fetus ; Flighty ; FOOD ; MOTHER ; PREGNANCY ; SUPERSTITION ; Uganda ; Woman

James Callow Keyword(s): AFRICA ; ANIMAL ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SEXISM

Subject headings: Daily Life
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SUPERSTITION

DO NOT SWEEP FLOORS AFTER THE LIGHTS ARE LIT IN THE HOME.
THIS WOULD MEAN SWEEPING HEALTH AND WEALTH FOR THE FAMILY OUT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; WESTCHESTER

Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; Domesticity ; Housekeeping ; Lights ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep

James Callow Keyword(s): BROOM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- P87O
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-26-1968

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If you sleep restlessly or are awakened in the middle of the
night, a spirit is trying to take away your soul. To get rid
of the spirit, turn your bedroom light on and off three times
and you will sleep sound the rest of the night.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Haunting ; LIGHT ; REMEDY ; SPIRIT ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping

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STORM BELIEF

WHEN IT THUNDERS AND LIGHTENS, GOD IS ANGRY WITH HIS PEOPLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

James Callow Keyword(s): LIGHTNING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Creator
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7

Date learned: 07-10-1969

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