Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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In England myrtle is considered lucky. In Wales
myrtle is planted on each side of a home to
insure love & to keep the atmosphere peaceful.
Submitter comment: Many people still consider myrtle a sign of peace.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): nature, beauty
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
If your soap breaks in two, it's a true sign of parting.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Keyword(s): breaking up, end
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
On January first, Greeks celebrate what is known as St. Basil's
Day. It is the equivalent of Christmas here. It begins at twelve
o'clock midnight on December 31. "Vasilopita" - St Basil's Bread - is
served. Baked in the sweet bread is a single gold coin. The person to
receive the slice of sweet bread with the coin is said to have good
luck for the duration of the year. Presents are distributed. Then
snacks and drinks are served to all because in Greece there is no
certain age that must be attained before one is allowed to drink
alcohol.
Submitter comment: St. Basil is the equivalent of Santa Claus.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): holiday
James Callow Keyword(s): drinking age
Date learned: 00001945CA
Blessing of the Easter Basket
When my mother was growing up, she would prepare an Easter
basket with her mother the day before Easter. The basket
contained Polish sausage, hard boiled eggs which symbolized new
life, a pound cake molded into the shape of a lamb, a pound of
butter shaped into the form of a lamb (the shape of the lamb
reminds us of Christ being sacrificed like a lamb), and homemade
bread with a cross cut into it (the cross symbolized the
crucifixion of Jesus). After all of these foods were made and put
into the basket, they carried the basket to Church on Holy
Saturday. At the Church, the priest would bless the basket of
food with Holy Water and say prayers. Then the basket of food was
taken home and eaten the next day on Easter Sunday. This food
basket was the base of that year's Easter Sunday dinner.
Submitter comment:
Our family still practices this custom of blessing the Easter
Basket only in Chicago, Illinois when we go to visit our Polish
grandparents. They live in a Polish dominated area of Chicago and
we all attend the Polish church down the street. The Mass is said
completely in Polish, and then the priest will bless all of the
Easter Baskets for the people.
Keyword(s): Polish Easter
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Stain Remover
As a high school student, I was forever getting ink on some part
of my clothing. My mother informed me that if put on a fairly new ink
stain, hair spray would remove it completely.
Submitter comment:
This form of stain removal is still used by my family and
friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00001985ca
St. Patrick's Day
Every St. Patrick's Day, my mother cooks corned beef and cabbage
for dinner. For dessert, she usually makes a cake with green
frosting.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00001971ca
Ammonia will kill paint odor.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
The following are names for golf clubs.
Spoon = used for getting out of a sand trap.
Niblick = used for getting out of the deep ruff.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): golf
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 00001920S
Mother May I
Any number can play. One person acts as the mother. The
person acting as the mother stands a distance away from the
players. Each person gets a turn. The players ask mother if
they can do certain things. For example, " Mother May I take 2
giant steps?" Mother can respond in a positive manner by saying
"Yes you may" or by telling that player to take ever more steps
or bigger than giant steps or mother may respond in a negative
way by saying "No, you may take some steps backwards" or "You may
take little steps." It is up to the mother to grant the players
their wishes. First person to reach mother wins and becomes
mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
Why we say "His name is Mud"
The doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth was Dr. Mud. This is
where the saying "his name is Mud" originated. This saying is
widespread and frequently used. An ancestor of Dr. Mud is currently
trying to clear the family name.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND BLANC
James Callow Keyword(s): Lincoln assassination
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-00-1991
My sister and I went to a youth rally when we were in high
school. At the rally we were taught that to grow psychologically
a person needs eight hugs a day plus many other facts that I now
cannot recall. When we came home our parents asked us at the
dinner table what we had learned; we told them about the eight hugs
needed to grow. My dad told us that he could do better than that,
so he has given us twelve hugs plus three for good luck. My
parents live up north and we often communicate by phone or by
letter; on the phone we count to twelve, then to three to give our
hugs to each other. In written communication, we write 12+3 to
give our hugs. This is a tradition that our whole family now
practices to give each other hugs and emotional support.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Family folklore
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
You can use health and beauty aides as laundry spot removers.
I learned that shampoo is a very good spot remover especially for
grease. The other product that can be used is hairspray to remove
ink stains.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Household hints
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
Torch Night
At Dominican High School in Detroit (all female), one of the
traditions is "Torch Night." When a student is a sophomore, a
junior picks her as her "Torch Night Partner," or "Torchie." The
two students spend the next year getting to know each other and
becoming closer. The next year, when the junior (who is now a
senior) is ready to graduate, there is a night called "Torch
Night." It is held in the auditorium and the partners stand next
to each other. There are readings and speeches, and then the
senior passes a votive--the torch-- to the junior, thereby passing
on the torch of leading the school. The junior, in turn, gives her
senior partner a rose as a promise to her to carry on the torch and
also as a goodbye gift of love. This has been a tradition at
Dominican High School for many years. As each partner passes on
the torch, there remains a connection that was begun many years
before.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
CANDLES ARE LIT IN THE WINDOW TO LIGHT THE WAY OF MARY
AND JOSEPH.
Submitter comment: FROM FAMILY WHEN YOUNG.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON THE DOORS ARE LEFT
UNLATCHED AND FOOD IS LEFT OUT FOR MARY AND JOSEPH.
Submitter comment: FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NONE GIVEN
Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
IN IRELAND, THE IRISH CUSTOM IN ADVENT, IS TO HAVE A
BOWL OF STRAW AND A MANGER SCENE. WHEN A GOOD DEED IS
PERFORMED, THE PERSON TAKES A PIECE OF STRAW AND PUTS
IT IN THE CRIB. THE OBJECT AND THOUGHT IS TO MAKE THE
CRIB AS SOFT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE INFANT JESUS
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; IRELAND
Keyword(s): MANGER
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
POLISH
POLISH EASTER CUSTOMS INCLUDE THE CONSECRATING OF
FOLK PASTRY, THE DECORATING AND GIVING OF THE
EASTER EGGS, AND THE CREMONIAL EATING OF CERTAIN
BLESSED FOODS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOLK PASTRY=OPLATKI?
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Elements |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
SLUG BUG
A FEW YEARS AGO WHILE IN GRADE SCHOOL, WE'D PLAY THIS
LITTLE GAME WHILE TRAVELING. THE FIRST PERSON TO SEE
A VOLKSWAGON WOULD YELL OUT "SLUG BUG" AND,
CONSEQUENTLY, GOT TO SLUG THE OTHER PERSON IN THE ARM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE=VOLKSWAGON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 10-08-1971
GRAY DUCK
CIRCLE FORMATION. THE CHILD WHO IS "IT" WALKS
AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE. THE CHILDREN HE
TAPS (TO THEM) HE SAYS "DUCK, DUCK, GRAY DUCK."
WHEN HE TOUCHES THE CHILD AND SAYS "GRAY DUCK" HE
STARTS TO RUN AND THE CHILD TAGGED FOLLOWS, TRYING
TO CATCH HIM. IF THE CAUGHT CHILD DOES NOT GET
BACK TO HIS SPOT IN THE CIRCLE IN TIME, HE MUST
SQUAT LIKE A DUCK IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE AND
THE GAME CONTINUES TILL ALL THE DUCKS ARE SQUATTING.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM KINDERGARDEN CHILDREN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR: GRAY ; CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 12-05-1966
DUCK, DUCK, GRAY DUCK
ALL CHILDREN (SQUAT POSITION) ARE IN A CIRCLE. ONE
PERSON WALKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE AND TAPS
EACH ONE ON THE HEAD, SAYING, "DUCK" ON EACH ONE.
WHEN HE HITS A HEAD AND SAYS "GRAY DUCK" THAT PERSON
MUST CHASE THE TAPPER. THE TAPPER MUST GET TO THE
OTHER CHILD'S POSITION IN THE CIRCLE AND SQUAT
BEFORE HE IS CAUGHT. IF HE IS CAUGHT, HE NOW TAKES
THE PLACE OF THE ONE OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE AND THE GAME
CONTINUES.
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR: GRAY ; CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001964-1965