RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for Thumb returned 5 results.

showing 5 items

THUMB WRESTLING

THE GAME OF THUMB WRESTLING IS PLAYED BY TWO PLAYERS.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME, LIKE IN REGULAR WRESTLING, IS
TO PIN YOUR OPPONENT. THIS IS HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED:
THE PLAYERS INTERLOCK FINGERS WITH THUMBS UP AND FREE,
THEY PLACE THEIR THUMBS TOGETHER, AND THEN WHEN THEY ARE
READY THEY PLACE THUMBS DOWN ON TOP OF THEIR OWN HANDS,
THEN DOWN ON THE OPPONENT'S HAND, AND THEN THEY BEGIN TO
THUMB WRESTLE, TRYING TO PIN THE OTHER PLAYER'S THUMB FOR
THREE SECONDS, WHEN THIS IS DONE THE MATCH IS OVER AND
THE PLAYER WHO HAS PINNED HIS OPPONENT WINS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): THUMB GAMES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity

Date learned: 00001980CA

View just this record

TO MEAN EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT, EXTEND ERECT THUMB
AND CLENCHED FOUR FINGERS.

Where learned: ONTARIO ; CANADA, ASSUMED ; OAKVILLE

Keyword(s): THUMBS UP

Subject headings: SPEECH -- All right O.K.

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

TO BRING GOOD LUCK TO AN ITALIAN (SICILIAN MOSTLY)
CARDPLAYER, YOU TAKE YOUR THUMB, STICK IT STRAIGHT
UP ON HIS HEAD, THEN LET IT FALL, WITH A LITTLE
FORCE AND SAY "NASPOLA!!" THIS BRINGS GOOD LUCK
SUPPOSEDLY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BLESSING ; Card ; CUSTOM ; GAME ; GESTURE ; Italian ; LUCK ; Naspolta ; SUPERSTITION ; Thumb

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

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

View just this record

TO WARD OFF THE "COOTIES" SO COMMON TO ALL GRADE
SCHOOL CHILDREN, A GESTURE OF 2 FISTS TOGETHER WITH THE
THUMBS EXTENDED IS MADE.

Data entry tech comment:

DIAGRAM IS ON 5 X 8 CARD.

Updated By TRD for BN. Card Info Update is Forthcoming.

Where learned: DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Classroom ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; Fists ; GAME ; GESTURE ; Grade School ; SLANG ; Thumb

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- P670 P670.88
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: 10-10-1969

View just this record

showing 5 items

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.