Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Fingers returned 24 results.
MULTIPLYING TECHNIQUE
THERE IS A WAY OF MULTIPLYING BY NINES ON YOUR HANDS.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HOLD UP YOUR TEN FINGERS AND PICK THE NUMBER
THAT YOU WANT TO MULTIPLY NINE BY AND THEN YOU PUSH DOWN THAT FINGER.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WANT TO MULTIPLY NINE BY THREE YOU WOULD PUT
DOWN YOUR THIRD FINGER.
ON ONE SIDE OF THIS THIRD FINGER YOU WOULD HAVE TWO FINGERS HELD
UP, ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU WOULD HAVE SEVEN FINGERS HELD UP,
THEREFORE YOUR ANSWER WOULD BE TWENTY-SEVEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Uodated by TRD on 10.11.13
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
Keyword(s): Arithmetic, Mathematics, Multiplication, Trick, Memory, Aid, Learning, Tool, Fingers,
James Callow Keyword(s): MULTIPLICATION ON FINGERS
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1.9 Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Number P686.3.9 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-22-1979
IF YOU SAY THE EXACT THING AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HOLD
PINKIES WITH EACH OTHER AND MAKE A WISH BEFORE SAYING
ANOTHER WORD AND YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY: PINKIES FOR LITTLE FINGERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-13-1973
YELLOW FINGER
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.
Submitter comment:
IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
YELLOW FINGER
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.
Submitter comment:
IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
YELLOW FINGERS
ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO WANTED TO GET A MESSAGE THROUGH
TO A NEIGHBORING KINGDOM. BUT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH,
THE MESSANGER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE MONSTROUS YELLOW
FINGERS. FIRST A KNIGHT WAS SENT, BUT THE YELLOW FINGERS
PINCHED HIM TO DEATH. THEN A SQUIRE TRIED, BUT MET WITH
THE SAME FATE. FINALLY, A PAGE WAS SENT AND MADE IT
THROUGH.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING
THROUGH THE YELLOW FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
SALUTATION GESTURE
WAVING GOODBYE AMONG SICILIANS AND MOST LATIN AMERICANS
ENTAILS CUPPING AND UNCUPPING THE HAND--AS IS COMMON IN
THE U.S. HOWEVER, THIS IS DIRECTED TOWARD'S ONE'S OWN
BODY AND NOT TOWARD THE DEPARTING PERSON. THIS GESTURE
IS REPUTED TO BE A SYMBOLIC YEARNING OF THE OTHER'S SOON
RETURN.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; MIAMI
Keyword(s): CUP THE FINGERS, AND WAVE THEM TOWARD YOURSELF.
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Goodbyes Leavetakings SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
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
IF YOU AND ANOTHER PERSON SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME
TIME, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SPIT BETWEEN YOUR FINGERS
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Hands ; Jinxs ; Same Time ; Simultaneous ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 04-05-1970
IN ORDER TO WARD OFF EVIL, ONE SHOULD POINT HIS INDEX
AND LITTLE FINGERS AT SOMETHING. (THE OTHER FINGERS
SHOULD BE CLOSED).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
James Callow Keyword(s): HORNS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12 |
Date learned: 02-14-1968
ITALIAN GESTURE AGAINST EVIL
A GESTURE TO RETURN EVIL TO ANOTHER IS TO PLACE THE
THUMB BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS OF THE
SAME HAND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 12-00-1969