Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Nail returned 15 results.
IF YOUR NAIL BREAKS ON THE HOUR, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FINGERNAIL?
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
MY FRIEND AS A CHILD, BIT HER NAILS
UNTIL HER FATHER TOLD HER THAT THE NAILS
WOULD MAKE BUMPS ON HER STOMACH THAT WOULD SHOW
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; NAILBITING ; STOMACH AILMENTS
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
CURE FOR FELON:
TAKE ONE TABLESPOON OF RED LEAD AND ONE TABLESPOON OF
CASTILE SOAP, MIX THEM WITH AS MUCH WOOL LYE AS WILL
MAKE IT SOFT ENOUGH TO SPREAD LIDE (SIC) A SALVE, AND APPLY
IT ON FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE FELON AND IT WILL CURE IT
IN TWELVE HOURS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): FELON: AN INFECTION OF THE FINGER AROUND THE BONE OR FINGERNAIL
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-10-1973
THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT
THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS
Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT
THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS
Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Proverb
As dead as a doornail.
Submitter comment:
The number 335 is typed in the upper right hand corner.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V600] crossed out and replaced with current classifications.
The word As is underlined in red the first time it appears.
Dup of WPP.
The word (informant) has been written in red next to the name of Sophie Drouillard.
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; Dead ; Doornail ; SIMILE
Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Proverb
Hit the nail on the head
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.
Keyword(s): ACCURACY ; Correct ; Dead-on ; METAPHOR ; Nail ; SYMBOL
Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Proverb
Dead as a doornail
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; Dead ; Doornail ; SIMILE
Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Language: Rhyme
Ridicule Rhyme:
Tattle Tale, Tattle Tale
Hang your britches on a nail,
Hang them high, hang them low,
Hang them in a picture show.
Hang them 'till your fanny shows.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BRITCHES ; Entertainment ; Fanny ; Hang ; High ; Language ; Low ; Nail ; Picture Show ; rat ; RHYME ; RIDICULE ; Tattle Tale
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
BITING FINGERNAILS WHEN PREGNANT CAUSES THE BABY TO BE
STUBBORN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BELZONI
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FINGERNAILS ; PREGNANCY ; Stubborn
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-13-1973
TO CURE A TOOTHACHE PICK THE TOOTH WITH A COFFIN NAIL,
MIDDLE TOE OF AN OWL, A SPLINTER FROM A TREE STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING OR APPLY THE JUICE OF A PRICKLY ASH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Claw ; Coffin ; Juice ; LIGHTNING ; Nail ; Owl ; Prickly Ash ; REMEDY ; Splinter ; TOOTHACHE ; Tree
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-30-1973
SPIRITS
IN ORDER FOR ONE TO KEEP SPIRITS OUT OF THE HOUSE HE OR SHE
SHOULD NAIL A PENNY OR MORE ON THE FLOOR OF THE DOORWAY OR
HE SHOULD WEAR PENNIES AROUND ONE'S ANKLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COINS ; Copper ; GHOST ; Haunt ; MONEY ; Repel ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): MINERALS -- IRON (NAIL) COPPER (PENNY)
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 02-10-1972
BABY BELIEF
NEVER CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS ONE YEAR OLD OR
HE WILL BE A THIEF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BABY ; FINGERNAILS ; Nail ; PREDICTION ; SUPERSTITION ; Thief ; Trim
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
TO CAUSE ILLNESS IN WITCHES
TO MAKE A WITCH SICK YOU NEED TO DO THESE THINGS.
GET THREE NAILS FROM A COFFIN AND STICK THEM INTO A SAUCE
OF BUTTER AND WINTERGREEN.
SAY THE WITCH'S NAME WHEN YOU PLACE
THE SAUCE IN A HIDDEN SPOT WHERE NEITHER SUNLIGHT NOR MOONLIGHT
WILL PENETRATE. YOUR WITCH WILL BE SICK FOR SIX MONTHS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Coffin ; Harm ; ILLNESS ; Nails ; RECIPE ; WITCHES
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
BELIEF
YOU PUT NAIL POLISH IN THE ICE BOX. IT KEEPS THE POLISH FROM
GETTING THICK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): BEAUTY ; BELIEF ; Cold ; CUSTOM ; Makeup ; Nail ; POLISH ; TRICK
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; FUNCTION ; Positive
Subject headings: | Custom |
Date learned: 01-20-1971