Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for NUMBERS returned 134 results.
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
THREE FOOT AMELA
THREE FOOT AMELA SOUNDS LIKE A THREE FOOTED HORSE. IF YOU HEAR THE
SOUND AND LOOK OUTSIDE MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT SEE YOU OR YOU WILL DIE
THE NEXT NIGHT. YOU MUST NEVER CALL ITS NAME AT NIGHT BECAUSE
SOMETHING WEIRD WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Abnormal in size SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL
THERE WAS ONCE A WOMAN WHO WAS CALLED THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL.
SHE WAS CALLED THIS BECAUSE HER HAIR AND SKIN WAS VERY WHITE AND
AT NIGHT SHE WOULD RIDE AMOUNG THE SLAVES DRESSED IN WHITE AND ON
A WHITE HORSE TO FRIGHTEN THEM. SHE WAS MISTRESS OF A BIG
PLANTATION AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE KILLED FOUR OF HER FIVE
HUSBANDS. SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED BY THE FIFTH WHEN HER FATHER
TOLD HIM WHAT SHE DID TO HER HUSBANDS. THE WHITE WITCH BURIED HER
HUSBANDS NEAR THE HOUSE AND PLANTED A COCONUT TREE ABOVE THEM.
IF YOU GO TO THE RUINS OF THAT PLANTATION YOU WILL SEE FIVE
COCOANUT TREES IN A ROW WITH NO OTHER TREES AROUND. SHE IS UNDER
ONE OF THEM.
Submitter comment:
DONALD LEE HAS VISITED THE RUINS OF ROSE HALL AND HAS SEEN
THE FIVE COCONUT TREES.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BLUEBEARD: SEX REVERSAL ; COLOR ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
JAMAICAN SPIRIT BELIEF
WHEN GOING HOME AT NIGHT' BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND ONE O,CLOCK AND YOU
SEE A GHOST ON THE ROAD DON'T LET IT TROUBLE YOU BECAUSE IT IS
BUSY GOING TO KILL SOMEONE ELSE. IF YOU SEE ONE BETWEEN ONE
O'CLOCK AND FIVE O'CLOCK, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
SLOVAK FUNERAL BELIEF
WHEN ATTENDING A FUNERAL PUT THREE PENNIES IN THE CASKET TO PAY TO
ST. PETER AS THE DECEASED GOES THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
AN OLD ADAGE THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS "BE A BRIDE THRICE AND YOU
WILL NEVER BE A BRIDE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; BRIDESMAID? ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
JERRY FORD JOKE
Q: WHICH MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY DOES JERRY FORD TALK TO BEFORE CASTING
HIS VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?
A: ALL FIVE OF THEM. JERRY HOLDS THE LEVER AND WHEN HE SAYS "NOW:"
THEY JERK THE VOTING MACHINE UP AND DOWN.
Submitter comment: PRESIDENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT ; NUMBERS ; POLISH JOKE? ; PRESIDENT GERALD FORD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WRITE
THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS ABOVE YOUR DOORWAY. IT IS A WAY TO
CELEBRATE' A BLESSING AND A CATHOLIC CUSTOM. WE DIDN,T FOLLOW IT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS VERY INSISTENT IN THE FACT THAT HIS FAMILY DID NOT
FOLLOW THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Word Letter |
CURSE
IT IS AN ITALIAN BELIEF THAT A CURSE CAN BE UNCONSCIOUSLY
WISHED UPON YOU. IF YOU GET THE CURSE, THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RID
YOURSELF OF IT IS TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE TRY TO GET RID OF IT. THEY
GET RID OF IT BE RECITING A SPECIAL CHANT. THE WORDS TO THE CHANT
CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO MY INFORMANT BY HER COUSIN IN ITALY. EVERYONE IN
HER FAMILY HAD HEARD OF THE CURSE, BUT NO ONE KNEW THE WORDS TO CURE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Formula |
WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOM
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS BROKEN FROM THE PRESENTS
THE BRIDE RECEIVES INDICATES THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
SEVEN BROKEN RIBBONS MEAN SEVEN CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
EVERYONE LAUGHS AT THIS CUSTOM, BUT AT EVERY BRIDAL SHOWER I HAVE
ATTENDED THE FUTURE BRIDE HAS BEEN VERY CAREFUL. I HAVE NEVER
SEEN A BROKEN RIBBON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA00001970
LEGEND
IN MEXICO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, YOU CAN APPROACH A CERTAIN GROUP AND
THEY WILL GIVE A MASS FOR THAT PERSON FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS
SO THE PERSON WILL GO TO HEAVEN. BUT YOU CAN'T MISS A DAY OF THOSE
30 DAYS. MY UNCLE DIED IN SAN PANCHO, AND HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WAS IN
THE GROUP. SO THEY PRAYED FOR HIM. THE SISTER-IN-LAW IS REALLY
OLD AND EVERYONE KNOWS SHE IS DYING. ON THE 30TH DAY OF THE MASS,
SHE FELT SOMEONE COME UP AND TOUCH HER ON THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED
AND THE PERSON SAID, " MUCHAS GRACIAS. TE ESPERO?" WHICH MEANT,
THANK YOU' SHOULD I WAIT FOR YOU? THEN HE WALKED AWAY. SHE DIDN,T
SEE HIS FACE, BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS MY UNCLE BY THE WAY HE WAS BUILT.
EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS THIS AND BELIEVES IT, TOO.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT KNOWS THIS IS TRUE AND BELIEVES IN IT COMPLETELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number P686.1.30 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE WERE 12 NUNS IN A CONVENT WHO MADE A VOW SAYING THAT AFTER THEY
DIED THEY WANTED TO HAVE A ROSARY WITH ONE LIVE PERSON FOR SO MANY
DAYS AND IF THE PERSON STAYED WITH THEM FOR TEN DAYS, THEY WOULD GIVE
THE PERSON THEIR CONVENT. A LADY WENT DOWN THERE NOT KNOWING THE
STORY AND ASKED AN INNKEEPER IF THERE WERE ANY MOTEL ROOMS SHE COULD
STAY IN. HE TOLD HER SHE COULD STAY IN THE CONVENT. SO SHE
STAYED THERE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DESERTED. THEN THE 12 NUNS
ALL HOLDING CANDLES, WALKED BY HER AND INTO THE CHURCH. SHE
FOLLOWED THEM IN AND WATCHED THEM SAYING THE ROSARY, WITH ONE OF
THEM SAYING IT AND EVERYONE ELSE ANSWERING IT. THIS HAPPENED FOR TEN
DAYS AND EVERYDAY THE NUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS THE ROSARY WAS
DONE. ON THE FINAL DAY, AS THE NUNS WERE WALKING OUT, ONE OF THEM
HANDED A NOTE TO THE WOMAN. THE NOTE THANKED HER FOR HELPING THEM
FULFILL THEIR VOW. THEN IT SAID THAT THEY GAVE THE CONVENT TO HER.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KNEW IT WAS
TRUE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 40'S IN MEXICO. THE WOMAN WENT BACK TO
THE INNKEEPER AFTER THIS WAS OVER AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. SO THEN HE
TOLD HER ABOUT THE NUNS, VOW.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAD SEVERAL STORIES WHICH WERE BASED IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
FEVER BLISTERS
WHEN YOU FEEL A FEVER BLISTER COMING,
RUB BEHIND YOUR EAR (EITHER ONE) THREE TIMES AND IT WILL NEVER
COME TO A HEAD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POWER OF NUMBERS ; PREVENTITIVE TREATMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
WART CURE
IF YOU COUNT YOUR WARTS,
MAKE A KNOT IN A THREAD FOR EVERY WART,
THROW THE THREAD AWAY,
AND THE WARTS WILL BE CURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEASURING ; POWER OF NUMBERS ; SEVERAL SIMILAR COMMENTS IN THE ARCHIVES.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Medicine BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
REMEDY
COUNT THE NUMBER OF WARTS OR MOLES,
CONCENTRATE ON THE NUMBER,
AND THEY WILL SOON DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEASURING ; POWER OF NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
NUMBERS
DON'T ROCK AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR, IT MEANS DEATH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): EMPTINESS ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 11-06-1967
JAPANESE & NUMBER 8
THE NUMBER 8 IS HONORED BY JAPANESE.
JAPAN IS CALLED "EIGHT LARGE ISLANDS." BUDDHIST
DEITIES ARE REPRESENTED ON A LOTUS FLOWER OF
EIGHT PEDALS. THE 88TH BIRTHDAY IS A VERY
GRAND ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Number P686.1.88 SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ITALIAN REMEDY
WHEN A PERSON GETS A COUGH MOTHERS OFTEN FEEL THEY HAVE WORMS.
TAKE SEVEN OR NINE PIECES OF GARLIC AND MAKE A CHAIN AND WEAR IT
AROUND THE NECK. THIS WILL RID THE PERSON OF THE WORMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): COUGH ; NUMBERS ; WORMS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 12-00-1969