Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for LEFT returned 59 results.
ITALIAN SUPERSTITION
IF A WOMAN FALLS WHEN SHE IS PREGNANT AND SHE HELPS HERSELF UP
WITH HER RIGHT HAND, SHE WILL HAVE A BOY; IF SHE HELPS HERSELF
UP WITH HER LEFT HAND, SHE WILL HAVE A GIRL.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER ITALIAN MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PLEASANTVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
NO-SPILL-SALT
IF YOU SPILL SALT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS YOU DO THIS,
TAKE A HAND FULL OF SALT AND THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
THIS WILL REVERSE THE BAD LUCK AND GIVE YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FOLKLORE FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS OF HER HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE THERE IS A
PRIMITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SPILLING AND THE THROWING THE SALT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 00001930'S
EASTER BREAKFAST CUSTOM
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU WOULD PREPARE A BASKET LINED WITH LINEN NAPKINS
AND COVERED WITH THEM TOO. IN THE BASKET YOU WOULD PUT LITTLE ROUND
LOAVES OF BREAD, COLORED BOILED EGGS, LAMB SHAPED WHIPPED BUTTER,
SALT AND PEPPER, HORSERADISH, KIELBASA AND HAM. YOU WOULD TAKE THIS
TO THE PARISH TO BE BLESSED AND ON EASTER MORNING IT WOULD BE YOUR
BREAKFAST. ANYTHING YOU DIDN'T EAT WOULD HAVE TO BE BURNED OR BURIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFTOVERS
Date learned: 11-00-1973
IF YOUR LEFT FOOT ITCHES YOU'LL SOON GO ON A SAD TRIP.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SOON SHAKE HANDS WITH A STRANGER.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF YOUR LEFT EYE JUMPS IT MEANS YOU WILL BE MAD BEFORE THE DAY IS
OVER.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANGER ; RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions |
Date learned: 11-18-1972
IF YOU STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE; ITS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION LEFT ; STUB YOUR TOE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
LUCK
IF YOU SHOULD STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE, TURN AROUND, AND SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO KEEP FROM HAVING BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY
DID THIS HERSELF WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION: LEFT ; STUB
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 10-26-1972
CURE FOR WARTS
TO GET RID OF WARTS, RUB A FRESHLY PICKED MUSHROOM ON THE WART AND
THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER. THE WART WILL DISAPPEAR IN 2 DAYS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID AN OLD GERMAN TOLD HIM THIS WHEN HE WAS} YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT DIRECTION POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
MY BACK IS BREAKING, MY GIRDLE'S TOO TIGHT, MY HIPS ARE SHAKING
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. LEFT, RIGHT...
Submitter comment: THIS IS USE TO TEACH CHILDREN THEIR LEFT FROM THEIR RIGHT SIDES.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; POSITION--LEFT AND RIGHT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 08-04-1972
NECK
IF YOU HAVE A STIFF NECK, HAVE A LEFT-HANDED PERSON CRACK IT FOR YOU.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
Keyword(s): LEFT HANDEDNESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
BELIEF (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION; NAILS (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WHEN CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING, IF YOU HAMMER
A NAIL AND IT COMES BACK BENT, YOU MUST REMOVE THE NAIL AND THROW IT
OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK. IF YOU USE THE BENT
NAIL, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAS SEEN THIS PRACTICE DONE, BUT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT,S TRUE
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
SUPERSTITION
A LEFT HANDED PERSON IS THE CHILD OF THE DEVIL AND HAS THE EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment:
MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER USE TO ALWAYS TELL ME THIS AND TRY TO GET MY
MOTHER TO FORCE ME TO USE MY RIGHT HAND.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LEFTHANDEDNESS ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
Entry filtered.
PALM SUPERSTITION
IF YUOR RIGHT PALM ICHES YOU WILL COME INTO SOME MONEY, IF YOUR LEFT
PALM ICHES PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT, RIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: CA00001980
EGYPTIAN ENGAGEMENT CUSTOM
THE BRIDE TO BE WEARS BOTH HER ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RING ON HER
RIGHT FINGER, AND THEN AT THE WEDDING CEREMONY BOTH RINGS ARE PUT ON
HER LEFT FINGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT, RIGHT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA00001980
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL RECEIVE SOME MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL RECEIVE A LETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 00001928CA
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY FATHER USED TO TELL ME THAT I SHOULD
ALWAYS BE HONEST, DO GOOD THINGS, AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE. HE
SAID THAT GOD KNEW EVERYTHING WE DID. HE SAID THERE WAS A LITTLE
ANGEL SITTING ON EACH OF OUR SHOULDERS AND THAT EVERY TIME WE DID
SOMETHING GOOD, THE ANGEL ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER WOULD WRITE IT
DOWN. ON THE OTHER HAND, WHEN WE DID SOMETHING BAD, THE ANGEL ON THE
LEFT SHOULDER WOULD RECORD IT. HE SAID THAT WHEN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT
CAME, GOD WOULD CHECK TO SEE WHICH LIST WAS LONGER. IT WASN'T
ENOUGH TO JUST TRY NOT TO BE BAD BECAUSE THE ANGEL ON THE RIGHT
SHOULDER ONLY WROTE DOWN GOOD DEEDS--NOT NO DEEDS AT ALL.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER WAS RAISED IN LEBANON. HE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES
IN 1929 WHEN HE WAS 20 YEARS OLD AND LIVED HERE UNTIL HIS DEATH
IN 1982.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT ; RIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quantity or weight |
Date learned: 00001950S
STEPPING INTO "SHIT" BRINGS GOOD LUCK, SPECIALLY IF IT IS THE
LEFT FOOT.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1972