Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BUTTERFLIES DENOTE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
NEVER COUNT THE CARS OF A PASSING TRAIN. THIS WILL
BRING YOU BAD LUCK IN ALL YOU ATTEMPT DURING THAT
DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
WHEN A PREGNANT WOMAN IS NOT LOOKING, SPRINKLE SOME
SALT IN HER HAIR. IT WILL CAUSE HER TO ITCH HER CHIN OR
NOSE. IF SHE ITCHES HER CHIN, THE BABY WILL BE A GIRL.
IF SHE ITCHES HER NOSE, THE BABY WILL BE A BOY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A FAVORITE SYRIAN BELIEF IN
PREDICTING THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): SCRATCH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.1 |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
BEING THE LAST CAR IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION DENOTES ILL
FATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
AFTER A FUNERAL YOU MUST WASH YOUR HANDS IN A BASIN
OF WATER BEFORE (UNDERLINED) ENTERING YOUR HOME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A JEWISH CUSTOM WHICH SHE
HAD HEARD DURING HER TEENS (SHE LIVED IN A JEWISH
NEIGHBORHOOD). THE WASHING OF THE HANDS WAS TO PREVENT
THE DEATH FROM COMING INTO THEIR HOME. THIS WAS DONE BY
FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED WHO WENT TO THE FUNERAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-18-1972
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET MARRIED IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.41 |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
IF YOU WASH YOUR HAIR ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL HAVE AN
ARGUMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
IT IS GOOD LUCK IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage P545.056 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET MARRIED IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Time or day of ceremony BELIEF -- Measure of time Month |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
IF A BRIDE KEEPS COINS IN HER SHOES DURING HER WEDDING, SHE
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
OPEN UMBRELLAS INDOORS MEAN BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
A SHOE ON THE TABLE MEANS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
IF YOU DREAM OF GOD, YOU MAY EXPECT A LONG LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
IF YOU SLEEP ON A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE, ON THE THIRD
NIGHT, YOU WILL DREAM OF YOUR HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE TWO ESKIMOS WHO WERE RUBBING
NOSES AND GOT "SNIFFILIS?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): BLEND ; NEOLOGISM ; PUN ON SYPHILIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ESKI |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?
THERE WAS ONCE A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S MOTHER SENT HER TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. THE GIRL'S MOTHER GAVE HER
SOME MONEY AND TOLD HER NOT TO STOP AT THE CANDY STORE,
BUT TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE STORE FOR THE LIVER. WELL,
WHILE THE LITTLE GIRL WAS WALKING, SHE GOT A TERRIBLE
TASTE FOR SOME CANDY, SO SHE STOPPED AT THE CANDY STORE
AND SPENT ALL HER MONEY. NOW THIS LITTLE GIRL KNEW THAT
HER MOTHER WOULD BE VERY, VERY ANGRY AND BEAT HER IF
SHE DIDN'T COME HOME WITH SOME LIVER. THE LITTLE GIRL
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT AS SHE WAS WALKING, SHE SAW
A GRAVEYARD. IN THIS GRAVEYARD SHE SAW A DEAD PERSON
WHO WAS READY TO BE BURIED. THIS GAVE THE GIRL AN
IDEA, SHE DECIDED TO CUT OUT THE LIVER OF THE DEAD
PERSON AND TAKE IT HOME. WHEN SHE GOT HOME, HER MOTHER
FIXED THE LIVER FOR DINNER. NOW IT WAS TIME TO GO TO
BED. THE LITTLE GIRL GOT INTO BED. AFTER IT WAS REAL
LATE AND PITCH BLACK OUTSIDE, THE LITTLE GIRL HEARD A
STRANGE VOICE CALLING, "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" ALL THIS TIME THE VOICE KEPT COMING
CLOSER. "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE FIRST STEP,
WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE SECOND STEP, WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE THIRD STEP, WHO'S GOT MY
LIVER?" "I'M ON THE LAST STEP, WHO'S GOT MY LIVER.
YOU'VE GOT MY LIVER!!"
AT THIS POINT THE NARRATOR GRABS A PERSON OF HIS CHOICE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS THIS STORY TO ALL THE YOUNG
CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?
THERE WAS ONCE A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S MOTHER SENT HER TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. THE GIRL'S MOTHER GAVE HER
SOME MONEY AND TOLD HER NOT TO STOP AT THE CANDY STORE,
BUT TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE STORE FOR THE LIVER. WELL,
WHILE THE LITTLE GIRL WAS WALKING, SHE GOT A TERRIBLE
TASTE FOR SOME CANDY, SO SHE STOPPED AT THE CANDY STORE
AND SPENT ALL HER MONEY. NOW THIS LITTLE GIRL KNEW THAT
HER MOTHER WOULD BE VERY, VERY ANGRY AND BEAT HER IF
SHE DIDN'T COME HOME WITH SOME LIVER. THE LITTLE GIRL
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT AS SHE WAS WALKING, SHE SAW
A GRAVEYARD. IN THIS GRAVEYARD SHE SAW A DEAD PERSON
WHO WAS READY TO BE BURIED. THIS GAVE THE GIRL AN
IDEA, SHE DECIDED TO CUT OUT THE LIVER OF THE DEAD
PERSON AND TAKE IT HOME. WHEN SHE GOT HOME, HER MOTHER
FIXED THE LIVER FOR DINNER. NOW IT WAS TIME TO GO TO
BED. THE LITTLE GIRL GOT INTO BED. AFTER IT WAS REAL
LATE AND PITCH BLACK OUTSIDE, THE LITTLE GIRL HEARD A
STRANGE VOICE CALLING, "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" ALL THIS TIME THE VOICE KEPT COMING
CLOSER. "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE FIRST STEP,
WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE SECOND STEP, WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE THIRD STEP, WHO'S GOT MY
LIVER?" "I'M ON THE LAST STEP, WHO'S GOT MY LIVER.
YOU'VE GOT MY LIVER!!"
AT THIS POINT THE NARRATOR GRABS A PERSON OF HIS CHOICE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS THIS STORY TO ALL THE YOUNG
CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE BLACK LINE
A BLACK LINE IN THE CEMENT OF A SIDEWALK IS A LINE TO AVOID.
IF YOU SHOULD PURPOSELY STEP ON A BLACK LINE YOU WILL GET COOTIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; SIGN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-03-1968
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