Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
HE WHO SELDOM RIDES FORGETS HIS SPURS.
Where learned: HOME ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
EPIPHANY CUSTOM
THE LETTERS KMB ARE WRITTEN ABOVE A DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE WITH BLESSED
CHALK RECIEVED ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. THE THREE LETTERS ARE
THE INITALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN. DOING THIS WILL KEEP EVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DISPLAY THE LETTERS ABOVE HER BACK DOOR.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6 |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
OMEN FOR DEATH
IF A RED BIRD FLIES INTO A HOME THERE WILL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: HOME ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
EASTER EGG TRADITION
THERE IS A CUSTOM WITH THE POLISH PEOPLE OF PASSING AROUND
THE DINNER TABLE ONE BLESSED, HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG. THE
OLDEST MALE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINS TO BREAK THE SLICES
OF THE EGG WITH OTHER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. USUALLY A
WISH IS MADE BETWEEN THE TWO AND THEN SEALED WITH A KISS.
HOWEVER, IF THE EGG DROPS, ONE OF THE TWO WILL NOT LIVE
TO SEE THE NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
OMEN
IF YOUR EARS ARE BURNING, THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT SOMEONE
IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF EMBARRASSMENT
IF YOU PUT YOUR UNDERWEAR ON INSIDE OUT, YOU WILL BE
EMBARRASSED SOME TIME DURING THAT DAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF SURPRISE
IF YOU BUTTON SOMETHING WRONG AND IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT WAY,
YOU WILL HAVE A SURPRISE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
CHRISTMAS
DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON FOR EVERY SPECIAL THING THAT A MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY DID, THE PERSON PUT A PIECE OF STRAW IN THE CRIB AND THEY
TRIED TO SEE HOW MUCH STRAW THEY COULD PUT IN FOR CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT, 1950-1968 IN DETROIT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
CHRISTMAS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE CRIB WAS PUT UP AND JESUS WOULD BE PUT IN IT.
AND CHRISTMAS HYMNS WOULD BE SUNG.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT IN 1949-1950 TO 1968-1969.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
GRACE, GRACE DRESSED IN LACE/ WENT UPSTAIRS TO POWER HER FACE/ HOW
MANY BOXES DID SHE USE? (COUNT)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
NAMES
THE FIRST SON MUST BE NAMED AFTER THE BOY'S GRANDFATHER ON THE BOY'S
FATHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY. THIS IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
ROPE JUMPING RHYME
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS,
JUST PICK UP A STICK AND SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; TOLD AT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE POSITIVE ; PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-22-1971
BELIEF
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF A GIRL TAKES THE LAST OF ANYTHING,
AS A LAST PIECE OF CAKE, CANDY, ETC., SHE WILL BE AN OLD MAID.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-20-1970
BELIEF
IF A GIRL SITS ON A TABLE, SHE WILL BE AN OLD MAID.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-20-1970
PROVERB
TROUBLE COMES IN THREE'S.
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple |
Date learned: 01-16-1970
SAYING
A GREEN CHRISTMAS MAKES A FULL GRAVEYARD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER WHO SAID THE SAYING WAS USED IN
DUNDEE, SCOTLAND WHERE SHE LIVED UNTIL SHE WAS AROUND 30 YEARS OLD.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER CAME TO AMERICA IN 1912, THREE YEARS AFTER
INFORMANT WAS BORN.
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
WEATHER FOR A WEDDING
IT IS GOOD LUCK IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
SLEEPING ON WEDDING CAKE (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
IF YOU SLEEP ON A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE,
ON THE THIRD NIGHT YOU WILL DREAM OF YOUR HUSBAND.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
OMEN FOR ILL FATE (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
BEING THE LAST CAR IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION DENOTES ILL FATE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
WEATHER BELIEF (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
THE WEATHER ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH WILL DECIDE
THE WEATHER FOR THE APPROACHING MONTH.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
Date learned: 04-03-1970