Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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STRAW UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH
A CUSTOM WITH POLISH FAMILIES ON CHRISTMAS EVE IS TO PUT STRAW UNDER
THE TABLECLOTH , RELATING IN SOME WAY TO THE STRAW OF THE MANGER OF
THE CHRIST CHILD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 03-12-1968
DRINK
IN GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS THEY MAKE A SPECIAL HOT AND VERY SPICY
RED WINE, MADE WITH CLOVE AND CINNAMON, AND HERBS--FOR THE
HOLIDAY SEASON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY HAD THIS AT A PRIVATE HOME IN GERMANY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; Germany ; holiday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
PROVERBIAL APOTHETGM MAXIM
HE WHO MIXES BUBBLES AND BOOZE, WILL WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING
WEARING HIS SHOES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY UNCLE WHO IS ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLDER THAN
MYSELF. THIS WAS TOLD AT A WEDDING RECEPTION WHERE CHAMPAIGN WAS
BEING CONSUMED ALONG WITH HARD LIQUOR.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; TOLD AT ; WEDDING RECEPTION
Keyword(s): CHAMPAGNE ; GETTING DRUNK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
LYRICAL VERSE
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT RAINS OR FREEZES,
LONG AS I HAVE MY PLASTIC JESUS,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
THUNDER ROAR AND LIGHTNING CRASH,
I WON'T FEAR; HE'S ON THE DASH,
TAKE HIM WITH YOU WHEN YOU TRAVEL FAR.
OH, I CAN DRIVE FROM COAST TO COAST,
LONG AS I HAVE MY HOLY GHOST,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
GOIN' NINETY I AIN'T WARY,
CAUSE I GOT MY VIRGIN MARY,
GUARANTEEIN' I WON'T GO TO HELL.
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S DARK AND SCARY,
LONG AS I HAVE MY VIRGIN MARY,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SAILING CLUB PARTY
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL ; FEMININE RHYME ; IMPERFECT RHYME: FREEZES JESUS ; RELIGION ; RHYME: AABCCB ; SLANG FOR DASHBOARD CLIPPING ; STATUES USED AS AMULETS IN AUTOMOBILES ; TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
TONGUE TWISTER
A TUTOR TUTORED TWO TOOTERS TO TOOT. SAID THE TWO TO THE
TUTOR, "IS IT EASIER TO TOOT OR TO TUTOR TWO TOOTERS TO
TOOT?"
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
AT CHRISTMAS TIME ALL THE KIDS IN THE FAMILY GET A SHOT OF WHISKEY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; holiday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME FOR? I DIDN'T COME TO STAY. I ONLY CAME
TO TELL YOU THIS IS EASTER DAY."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A GREETING BY THE CHURCH DEACON TO THE CONGREGATION AT
EASTER MASS.
Keyword(s): RITUAL SPEECH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
NAMING
FOUR EYES! SOMEONE WHO WEARS GLASSES.
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
NUMBER BELIEF
NUMBER THIRTEEN IN SOME PLACES IS CONCIDERED BAD LUCK.
THERE WILL BE NO ROOM 13 OR FLOOR 13 OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
Submitter comment: THIS SUPERSTITION ABOUT 13 IS VERY PREVALENT IN LATIN AMERICA.
Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT ; IRA WILSON AND SONS
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
CUSTOM
KOSHER FOOD IS FOOD THAT HAS BEEN BLESSED
BY THE RABBI TO MAKE IT PURE.
Submitter comment: THIS JEWISH CUSTOM IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY.
Where learned: HOME ; UNCLE ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
NUMBER BELIEF
IN SOME PART OF LATIN AMERICA, NUMBER 13 IS CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK AND
IT IS USED ALL OVER.
Submitter comment:
THIS CONTROVERSIAL 13 NUMBER, WHETHER GOOD LUCK OR BAD, IS QUITE
PREVALENT IN LATIN AMERICA.
Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT ; IRA WILSON AND SONS
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 10-13-1970
BELIEF-SUPERSTITION
INFORMANT WOULD NEVER SEAT 13 PEOPLE
TOGETHER AT ONE TABLE FOR A MEAL, AS IT IS EXTREMELY
MISFORTUNATE AND BRINGS BAD LUCK. ONCE AS A CHILD
THERE WERE 13 AT A THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER AT HER HOUSE
AND BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HER UNCLE GREGORY, ONE OF THOSE
AT THE TABLE, DIED. INFORMANT FIRMLY ADHERES TO THE
BELIEF THAT 13 AT THE DINNER TABLE IS A BAD LUCK OMEN.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
BELIEF
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU COUNT THE NUMBER OF CARS IN A
FUNERAL PROCESSION THAT IS THE NUMBER OF YEARS YOU HAVE LEFT TO
LIVE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT BELIEVES ABSOLUTELY IN THE ABOVE AND WOULD
ONLY COUNT THE NUMBER OF CARS IN PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S
FUNERAL PROCESSION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
BIRTH
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS A GIRL BREAKS WHILE OPENING SHOWER OR WEDDING
PRESENTS WILL DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
CONVERSATIONS: BROOM (CLASSIFER,S TITLE)
NEVER LET ANYONE ELSE FINISH SWEEPING YOUR FLOOR OR THEY WILL TAKE
YOUR GOOD LUCK AWAY.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER OF COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 11-10-1970
IF YOU FEEL THAT SOMEONE IS GIVING YOU
THE EVIL EYE YOU WILL GET THE " GOURNA"
(A RED DEVIL'S HAND 0ITH THE INDEX FINGER AND BABY FINGER OUT)
FOR PROTECTION. SOMEONE WILL GIVE IT AS A GIFT.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-15-1971
RIDDLE
IT SPINS AROUND BUT IS NOT SPINNING A WHEEL; IT CAN WALK A
ROPE BUT IS NOT A MONKEY.
-- A SPIDER.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN DORMITORY
Where learned: HOME ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ROPE FOR WEB
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
THE BEGGAR WHO WAS JESUS
LONG AGO IN ARMENIA A BEGGAR WAS SEEN GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TRYING TO GET SOME FOOD. WITH MOST OF HIS HOPE GONE, HE CAME TO THE
HOUSE OF AN ARMENIAN PRIEST AND HIS WIFE. THE WOMAN OPENED THE DOOR
AND GAVE THE BEGGAR SOME FRESH BREAD WHICH SHE WAS BAKING AT THE
HEARTH. HE THANKED HER AND ASKED HER FOR ONE MORE FAVOR. THE FAVOR
WAS THAT HE COULD GIVE HER A KISS. SHE OBLIGED. THE BEGGAR WAS
THOUGHT TO BE JESUS. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME SHE TOLD HIM WHAT
HAPPENED. HE ANSWERED HER, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, WOULD YOU JUMP IN THE
FIRE? SHE ANSWERED YES AND THREW HERSELF INTO THE HEARTH. WITHOUT
HER HE FELT THERE WAS NO REASON TO LIVE AND SO HE THREW HIMSELF INTO
THE FIRE. IT IS SAID AT THIS SPOT A SHRINE HAS BEEN ERECTED AND A
SPRING FLOWS WHICH HEALS THE SICK."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): IRONY GOOD VS. EVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
OMEN
IT IS A LEBANESE BELIEF THAT IF YOU BRING A PERSON IN THE HOSPITAL
FLOWERS, YOU THINK HE IS DYING, SO NEVER BRING A PERSON IN THE
HOSPITAL FLOWERS OR ELSE YOU WILL SCARE THAT PERSON.
Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT ; DETROIT BOARD OF
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
BELIEF
IF YOU MASTURBATE, I'VE HEARD OF ANY OF THESE REPERCUSSIONS:
1) YOU WILL GET HAIR ON YOUR PALMS.
2) YOU WILL GO INSANE.
3) YOU WILL GET WARTS.
4) YOU WILL GO BLIND.
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-18-1969