Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HELL WEEKEND IS THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE 6-8 WEEK PLEDGE
PERIOD (PERIOD OF PROBATION DURING WHICH ONE IS JOINING A
FRATERNITY OR SORORITY). MOST HELL WEEKENDS BEGIN WITH A
"PARTY" FRIDAY NIGHT, DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAKE PLEDGES DO
EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXERCISE. THE PLEDGES ARE THEN GIVEN A
LIST OF ITEMS (MANHOLE COVERS, BLACK LACE BRAS, G STRINGS,
USED SANITARY NAPKINS, STREET SIGNS, ETC.) WHICH THEY HAVE
TO GET DURING WHAT IS CALLED THE SCAVENGER HUNT. BY ABOUT
9:00 A.M. SATURDAY THE PLEDGES MUST HAVE A FIRE GOING AT
SOME SPECIFIED PLACE SUCH AS A STATE PARK. THE MEMBERS
ARRIVE AND GIVE THE PLEDGES "HELL" I.E., THE PLEDGES ARE
MADE TO DO MORE EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXERCISE ACCOMPANIED
BY MENTAL HAZING AND PHYSICAL DEGRADATION SUCH AS GETTING
EGGS, MOLASSES, AND CORN FLAKES POURED INSIDE THEIR
CLOTHES. THROUGHOUT THE DAY THE PLEDGES ARE ALSO FORCED TO
EAT VARIOUS KINDS OF HOT AND/OR DISTASTEFUL THINGS, SUCH AS
GARLIC PEPPER, GOLDFISH, TOBASCO SAUCE, ONIONS, ETC.
FINALLY ABOUT 4:00 SATURDAY AFTERNOON THE MEMBERS LEAVE AND
THE PLEDGES GO HOME TO BED. IF NONE OF THE PLEDGES HAVE
QUIT OR DONE ANYTHING TO GET A MEMBER MAD, THEY ARE INITIATED
INTO THE FRATERNITY SUNDAY NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
HELL WEEKEND, AS DESCRIBED BY OMICRON TAU PLEDGE CLASS,
VERIFIED AS TYPICAL BY TAU (UPSILON?) THETA, TAU KAPPA
EPSILON, PHI KAPPA THETA, UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, 1968.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WITHIN A YEAR OF THEIR INTRODUCTION, THE BELIEF
AROSE THAT, OTHER THINGS BEING REMOTELY EQUAL,
AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NEVER BE ABLE
TO BEAT A MANUAL SHIFT TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH IN A
DRAG RACE
Submitter comment:
HOWEVER, LIKE MANY FOLK THEORIES IN SCIENCE, THIS
HAS BEEN DISPROVEN AS OF 1962.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Entry filtered.
LITHUANIAN GAME
TWO PEOPLE GET SAME NUMBER OF EGGS. EACH TAKES HOLD
OF ONE EGG AND CHARGES AT EACH OTHER, HITTING THE
EGGS TOGETHER. THE PERSON WHOSE EGG CRACKS GETS
A NEW EGG. THE ONE LEFT WITH THE MOST EGGS WINS.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
ON EASTER, IF THE FIRST WORD YOU SAY IS RABBIT, THE REST
OF THE YEAR WILL BE GOOD.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 03-30-1971
GOOD FRIDAY BELIEF
IT EITHER RAINS OR THE SKY DARKENS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12 NOON AND
3 P.M. GOOD FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
Data entry tech comment:
THE ORIGIN OF THIS BELIEF IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE IN 3 PLACES--MATTHEW
27:45, MARK 15:33, AND LUKE 23:44. THESE PASSAGES REFER TO THE
DARKNESS. A STORM IS ALSO REFERRED TO IN THE BIBLE AS OCCURING
DURING THE THREE HOURS.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
WHENEVER YOU ARE SITTING NEAR SOMEONE WHO IS TASTING
A NEW AND DIFFERENT FOOD, THAT THEY HAVE NEVER
TASTED BEFORE, HIT HIM ON THE HEAD WITH A FORK.
THIS WILL BRING THE PERSON THAT IS HIT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Eating utensils BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
IF YOU PUT A PENNY IN YOUR SHOE, YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Money BELIEF -- Good luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU FIND A PENNY, IT MEANS YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Money |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU HEAR A DOG HOWLING DURING THE NIGHT, IN THE MORNING
YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT A DEATH.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
IF COMPANY COMES IN BY THE FRONT DOOR AND DOESN'T
LEAVE BY THE FRONT DOOR, MORE COMPANY WILL COME.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
IF YOU DROP A FORK, YOU WILL HAVE A MALE VISITOR.
IF YOU DROP A SPOON, YOUR VISITOR WILL BE FEMALE.
HOWEVER, IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, YOU WILL RECEIVE BAD NEWS.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Date learned: 00-00-1956
IF SILVERWARE IS DROPPED, VISITORS WILL ARRIVE COMING
FROM THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE SILVER-
WARE WAS POINTING. DROPPING A KNIFE WILL BRING A MAN;
A FORK-A BOY; A LARGE SPOON-A WOMAN; A TEASPOON-A GIRL!
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF SOMEONE LEAVES A DIAPER BEHIND AT YOUR HOUSE,
YOU SOON WILL BECOME PREGNANT.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
IF A SHIVER RUNS UP YOUR SPINE, SOMEONE IS STEPPING
ON YOUR GRAVE.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Chills, shivering |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF THERE IS A RINGING IN YOUR EARS, SOMEONE IS TALKING
ABOUT YOU. (ALSO, IF YOUR EARS ITCH, SOMEONE IS
TALKING ABOUT YOU.)
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching ear |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU'LL KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
AROUND THE FIRST OF DECEMBER, THE SPECIAL WORKERS OF SANTA, THE
BROWNIES, COME OUT IN FULL FORCE. THEY CARRY BIG BOOKS WITH EACH
GIRL'S AND BOY'S NAME IN IT. THEIR JOB IS TO SNEAK AROUND AND MARK
YOUR BEHAVIOR IN THEIR BOOK AND THEN REPORT TO SANTA. IF YOU HAVE
BEEN BAD, SANTA WILL NOT BRING YOU ANYTHING.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Date learned: 00-00-1950