Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 884 returned 146 results.
NAME
PECKER CHECKER: } THIS IS THE NAME USED BY THE SEA SERVICES GIVEN
TO A HOSPITAL CORPSMAN. THIS IS DUE TO THE PRACTICE ON MANY SHIPS
OF THE CORPSMAN HAVING TO CHECK THE MEMBERS OF THE CREW FOR V.D.
UPON THE RETURN FROM A EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME ON LIBERTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
MILITARY CUSTOM
IT IS A COMMON CUSTOM IN THE MILITARY OF THE SEA TO REFER TO THE
COMMANDING OFFICER OF AN INSTALLATION OR SHIP AS "CAPTAIN," AND
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, OR SECOND IN COMMAND, AS "COMMANDER."
THIS IS TRUE NO MATTER WHAT MAY BE THE INDIVIDUALS TRUE RANK,
WHETHER HE BE AN OFFICER OR ENLISTED MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
LUCK/OMEN
GOOD LUCK WILL BE YOURS IF THE FIRST ROBIN YOU SEE IN THE SPRING
FLIES UP, BUT IF HE FLIES DOWN, YOU ARE DOOMED TO A STREAK OF BAD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck P881.32 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.32 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
RHYME
FIRST THEY HIRED ME,
THEN THEY FIRED ME,
THEN BY GOLLY I LEFT MY WIFE AND 23 CHILDREN TO DIE OF STARVATION
AND THOUGH IT WAS RIGHT. {THOUGHT?}
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHILE WALKING, WITH THE BEAT COINCIDING WITH THE PACE
OF THE WALK. THE INDIVIDUAL SAYS THE FIRST WORK OF THE RHYME
WHILE STEPPING DOWN WITH HIS LEFT FOOT, AND FINISHES SO THAT WHEN
HE SAYS "RIGHT," HE LANDS ON HIS RIGHT FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): MILITARY CADENCE?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.349 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
RIDDLE
WHAT IS VERY NICE AND VERY NEAT, HAS SOME TEETH, BUT JUST CAN'T
EAT? (A COMB).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
A BRIDE AND GROOM CAN BE GUARANTEED A BLISSFUL AND FRUITFUL
MARRIED LIFE IF THEY ARE SHOWERED IN SUGAR COATED ALMONDS AS THEY
LEAVE THE CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Things thrown at newlyweds |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MAGICAL CURE
YOU CAN CURE SWOLLEN GLANDS BY SOMEONE WRITING A BIBLE PASSAGE
ON THE NECK OF THE VICTIM OF THE SWELLING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
LUCK
NO NEW MOTHER SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN THE HOME FOR FORTY DAYS AFTER
GIVING BIRTH, FOR SHE IS UNBLESSED BY GOD, AND COULD BRING BAD
LUCK TO THE FAMILY OF THE HOME SHE VISITS.
Submitter comment:
IT IS NOT ONLY BAD LUCK FOR ANYONE TO LET THIS WOMAN IN THEIR
HOUSE, BUT IT IS ALSO BAD LUCK FOR THE WOMAN TO EVEN LEAVE THE HOUSE.
SHE SHOULD BE HOME GUARDING THE CHILD, WHO IS ESPECIALLY SUSEPTIBLE
AT THIS TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
Date learned: 09-24-1972
TONGUE TWISTER
PRETTY LITTLE POLLY SANE SPEAKS A PRETTY LITTLE SPEECH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
TONGUE TWISTER
SHE SELLS SEASHELLS BY THE SEA SHORE.
Submitter comment: QUITE AMUSED BY THIS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
WEATHER BELIEF
A CAT WASHING OVER ITS EARS IT A SIGN THAT IT WILL RAIN THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
Date learned: 09-26-1972
LUCK
IF YOU PUT A CAT INTO A CRADLE BEFORE A NEWBORN INFANT, ALL EVIL
SPIRITS WILL BE DRIVEN AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MAGICAL CURE
THE TOPAZ WILL CURE OR PROTECT FROM AN ILLNESS ANY PERSON WEARING THE
STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Emblem BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MAGICAL CURE
SORE EYES CAN BE CURED IF THE TAIL OF A BLACK CAT IS PASSED BEFORE
THE EYES NINE TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
EVIL EYE
ONE CURE FOR THE EVIL EYE IS TO DROP SOME OIL WATER IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE VICTIM . IF AFTER IT SPREADS THE OIL TAKES ON THE SHAPE OF AN
EYE , THERE IS NO DOUBT THE VICTIM HAS FALLEN TO THE EVIL EYE. THE
PERSON GIVING THE CURE CAN THEN MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS THREE
TIMES ON THE VICTIM'S FOREHEAD, RESULTING IN A RAPID RECOVERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Use of Object SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
EVIL EYE
ONLY WAY A PERSON CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM THE EVIL EYE IS TO WEAR
GARLIC SEWN INTO A LITTLE BAG AND WORN AROUND THE NECK. THIS MUST
BE WORN ESPECIALLY BY WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE THE MOST
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE EVL EYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
EVIL EYE
BY RAISING A CLOSED FIST AND EXTENDING THE LITTLE FINGER AND THUMB,
THE VICTIM CAN COUNTER THE EVIL EYE AND RETURN THE EVIL TO ITS
ORIGINATOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
RIDDLE
THIS IS AS PLAIN AS THE END OF YOUR NOSE THE MORE YOU TAKE FROM IT ,
THE BIGGER IT GROWS. (A HOLE)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
RIDDLE
IF YOU'RE SO SMART ANSWER ME HOW MANY SIDES DOES A TREE HAVE?
TWO, OUTSIDE AND INSIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT (Q) ; RETORT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM/LUCK
THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER THE HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY MUST BE
HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS, SO THAT THE FAMILY'S GOOD LUCK WILL BE
INSURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC FIRST FOOTING
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 09-24-1972