Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for NUMBER returned 208 results.
SPIRIT
ON AN AUGUST DAY WHEN THE SUN IS HIGHEST IN THE SKY AT 12
NOON, STAND WITH THREE FRIENDS IN A WOODEN DESERTED AREA. AT
EXACTLY 12 NOON HAVE EVERYONE STARE AT EACH OTHER. THE SUN COMING
THROUGH THE TREES SHOULD FORM A HALO OVER THE PERSON OR PERSONS
WHO HAVE ANY POWER OF WITCHCRAFT OR WIZARDRY IN THEIR BLOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
ECLIPSE
A WITCH MUST WAIT THREE HOURS AFTER EATING BEFORE
USING ANY WITCHCRAFT.
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
BORROWING
IF YOU BORROW ANYTHING AT ALL FROM A WITCH THAT BELONGS
TO HIM PERSONALLY YOU CAN HOLD A SPELL OVER HIM BY KISSING
THE OBJECT AND SAYING "THANK YOU" THREE TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
TRADITIONAL WORDS
EIGHTY-SIX.
Submitter comment:
THE PHRASE WHICH WAS PICKED UP WAS EIGHTY-SIX. TO EIGHTY-SIX
SOMETHING MEANT TO 1, IGNORE IT, OR 2, THROW IT AWAY. THERE IS ALSO
A TRADITIONAL TALE ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM. IT IS BELIEVED TO
HAVE COME FROM AN OLD BARTENDER'S TERM. WHEN THE BARTENDER SAW THAT
SOMEONE WAS DRUNK, HE WOULD PASS THE WORD TO EIGHTY-SIX THAT MAN.
THAT WOULD MEAN EITHER CALL THE POLICE, WHOSE ADDRESS WAS 86TH ST.
OR TO GIVE THE MAN 86 PROOF LIQUOR, RATHER THAN 100 PROOF.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ; NUMBER ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
MORAL PROVERB
EVEN THOUGH A HORSE HAS FOUR LEGS HE STILL GETS STUCK IN THE MUD.
Submitter comment:
EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE EVERYTHING ARE STILL SUBJECT TO MISFORTUNE.
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PESSIMISM ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
NO DOCTOR AT ALL IS BETTER THAN THREE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
ONCE BURNT, TWICE SHY
YOU AVOID AN UNFORTUNATE HAPPENING THE SECOND TIME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): CAUTION ; FIRE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
ONE HUNDRED NOTHINGS
ONE HUNDRED NOTHINGS KILLED THE JACK ASS
Submitter comment: STORY EXPLAINING PROVERB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
PROVERB
ONE BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE ; VEGETATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-15-1967
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE ENLISTED MAN WORTH TEN PRESSED
THIS IS AN OLD PROVERB AMONG MILITARY MEN.
THAT DRAFTED MEN ARE WORTH ONLY ONE ENLISTED MAN AS SOLDIERS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): MILITARY ; QUALITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 First / Once / One / Newness PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
ONE FATHER
ONE FATHER CAN SUPPORT ONE HUNDRED CHILDREN
BUT ONE HUNDRED CHILDREN CANNOT SUPPORT ONE FATHER
STORY EXPLAINED
IN ONE GENERATION THE FATHER LIVED WITH HIS SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW.
THE FATHER BECAME A PROBLEM . HIS SON TOOK HIM TO THE TOP OF A
MOUNTAIN ONE DAY. HE PUSHED HIM OFF. THE MAN DIED. IN THE NEXT
GENERATION THE SAME SITUATION TOOK PLACE. THE FATHER AND SON WERE
AT THE MOUNTAIN TOP, THE SON TURNED TO THE FATHER, LOOKED HIM IN THE
EYE AND SAID COME HOME WITH ME. THE FATHER SAID WHY DON'T YOU DO TO
ME WHAT I DID TO MY FATHER? THE SON ANSWERED, IN YEARS TO COME I WILL
WANT MY CHILDREN TO RESPECT ME. WHEN THEY CAME HOME THE SON'S WIFE
SAID, WHY DID YOU BRING HIM BACK AGAIN? THE SON SLAPPED HIS
WIFE'S FACE AND SAID, YOU WILL RESPECT HIM AS YOU WILL WANT OUR
CHILDREN TO RESPECT US.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER IN ITALY
James Callow comment:
THIS EXPLANATION DOESN'T SATISFY. THINK IT'S PHONEY?
--F. M. PAULSEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; PATERNAL RESPECT ; PATRICIDE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
PROVERB
ONE MAN, TWO WOMEN, ONE ROOF EQUAL TROUBLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; PROPHESIES
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; DOMESTIC RELATIONS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
SAYING
ONE THREAD OF KINDNESS DRAWS MORE THAN A HUNDRED HORSES
Submitter comment: W. W. BREESE, M.D., "WELL SPRINGS OF TRUTH," 1883, P. 144.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-05-1968
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE TODAY IS WORTH TWO TOMORROWS
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; BELIEF ; Maxim ; NUMBERS ; NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; CARPE DIEM ; Positive
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-21-1968
WELLERISM
"ONLY SEVEN MORE DAYS," DICK SAID, WEEKLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): PUN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 01-00-1972
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONLY THE FINGERS OF A BABY CAN TIE A UNITING KNOT THAT WILL PULL
TWO FAMILIES TOGETHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN ASHIYA, JAPAN
Data entry tech comment:
THE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THE INFORMATION WAS
RECEIVED IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
POLISH:
A PAIR OF LEGS IN YOUTH ARE BETTER THAN THREE IN OLD AGE
LEPSZE DWIE NOGI W MTODOSCI ANIZELI TRZY W STAROSCI
Submitter comment: MY FATHER KNOWS THIS FROM POLAND
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS POLISH TEXT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; THIRD LEG=CANE ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
PROVERB
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGAL PROVERB
POSSESSION IS NINE TENTHS OF THE LAW
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-28-1968
HOW TO DETERMINE SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF AN EXPECTING MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SEX HER CHILD WELL BE SHE
SHOULD HAVE HER FUTURE MID-WIFE AID HER IN THE FOLLOWING TEST. IF
THE WOMAN IS FIVE TO NINE MONTHS EXPECTANT SHE SHOULD REST ON THE
FLOOR ON HER BACK WITH BOTH ARMS STRAIGHT AT THEIR SIDES, HER LEGS
AND FEET TOGETHER AND RELAX ALL THOUGHTS OF DOUBT ABOUT THE TEST
WORKING OR NOT. THE MID-WIFE IS TO WASH HER HANDS IN A MIXTURE OF
VINEGAR AND SALT AND HOLD A LONG CHAIN BELONGING TO THE EXPECTANT
WOMAN'S MOTHER; THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE A HEAVY OBJECT ON ITS END, SUCH
AS A CAMEO OR THE LIKING. THE MID-WIFE IS TO HOLD THE CHAIN AND
OBJECT OVER THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND ASK, "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE LORD,
THE LIKINGS OF ME OR THEE, LORD?" AT THAT POINT THE HANGING OBJECT
SHOULD REST ON THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND IT SHOULD BE SLOWLY RAISED AND
AGAIN RESTED, RAISED, RESTED AND SO ON. IF THE OBJECT ON THE CHAIN
SWINGS CLOCKWISE AS IT'S RAISED AND LOWERED ONTO THE UNBORN CHILD, IT
WILL BE A MALE. BUT IN THE EVENT THAT THE OBJECT SWINGS
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, THE UNBORN CHILD WILL BE A FEMALE. THE OBJECT'S
MOVEMENT WILL BE ONLY SLIGHT. THIS TEST SHOULD BE DONE AT LEAST FIVE
TIMES AND IF THE TEST "PROVES" THE CHILD TO BE A MALE AT LEAST THREE
OUT OF THE FIVE TRYS, THE MOTHER SHOULD EXPECT A SON AND LIKEWISE, IF
THE OBJECT SWINGS TO THE LEFT OR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE AT LEAST THREE OF
THE FIVE TRIES, THE MOTHER
WILL HAVE A DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1935