Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FRENCH - CANADIAN NAMES
IT IS A FRENCH - CANADIAN CUSTOM TO ALWAYS GIVE A BABY A MIDDLE NAME
OF EITHER JOSEPH OR MARY, DEPENDING ON THE SEX OF THE INFANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
NICKNAME (SUGAR)
SHE TELLS ME THAT A BOY SHE KNOWS IS CALLED SUGAR, BECAUSE ABOUT 2
YRS. AGO, WHEN SHE WAS PLAYING WITH A DOG NAMED SUGAR, SHE CALLED THE
DOG, AND THIS BOY CAME. HE WAS THEN NICKNAMED SUGAR, AND THE NAME
STUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
IF YOU COUNT THE TEETH OF A COMB, THEY WILL ALL FALL OUT.
MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS LUCY COTTON 30, DIVORCED BLACK-AMERICAN
ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, A CO-WORKER AT HENRY FORD HOSPITAL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
GRACE
WE SAY GRACE HOLDING HANDS. EVERYONE FORMS A CIRCLE OF HANDS AROUND
THE TABLE AND ONE PERSON EITHER SAYS GRACE OR JUST SPONTANEOUSLY
THANKS GOD FOR THE FOOD OR THE DAY, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
ART CRAFT
IN THE EARLY SIXTIES A SYMBOL FOR PEACE WAS DESIGNED BY SOMEONE
SOMEWHERE AND CAUGHT ON. IT HAS BECOME INTERNATIONAL. ONE SEES THIS
SYMBOL ON JOAN BAEZ, BOB DYLAN AND BAN THE BOMB POSTERS IN LONDON AT
EASTER TIME.
James Callow comment:
JOAN BAEZ & BOB DYLAN ARE POPULAR FOLK SINGERS INVOLVED IN ANTI-WAR
ACTIVITIES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P663 P663.1 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
TO SPIT ON A NEW-BORN BABY
WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKS AT ANOTHER'S NEW BORN BABY THEY MUST HAVE A
LITTLE SALIVA FALL UPON THE CHILD. IF NOT, THE EVIL EYE IS CAST UPON
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
SUPERSTITION.
INDIAN TRIBES IN MICHIGAN BELIEVED THAT LEAVES CHANGED COLOR BECAUSE
THE CELESTIAL HUNTERS HAD SLAIN THE GREAT BEAR AND ITS BLOOD,
DRIPPING ON THE TREES, TURNED THE LEAVES RED. LEAVES ON OTHER TREES
WERE SAID TO TURN YELLOW BECAUSE FAT SPLATTERED OUT OF THE KETTLE
ONTO THE TREES AS THE HUNTERS COOKED THE MEAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Plant Life |
GAMES
LOSERS OF GAMES WOULD BE "PUNISHED" BY GOING THROUGH THE "RICKETS".
ALL, EXCEPT THE LOSER, WOYLD STAND IN A ROW; ONE BEHIND EACH OTHER;
SPREAD THEIR LEGS FAR APART AND THE LOSER WOULD CRAWL THROUGH
GETTING SPANKED ALONG THE WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00001960S
EPITAPH, FOUND IN BOOT HILL
HERE LIES LESTER MOORE
SIX SLUGS FROM A .44
NO LESS, NO MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH FROM GUNSHOT ; PUN ON PERSONAL NAME ; RHYME: AAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
EAT A LOT OF CARROTS
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF CARROTS YOU WILL HAVE PRETTY EYES.
WAS A WAY MOTHERS IN ITALIAN FAMILIES GOT THEIR CHILDREN TO EAT FOOD
IF THEY DID NOT LIKE IT>
Submitter comment: PASSED DOWN FROM MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
BIG NOSE
CHRIS BELIEVED, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, THAT IF SHE TOLD A LIE
HER NOSE WOULD GROW.
Submitter comment: SHE THINKS HER PARENTS LED HER TO THAT BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LYING ; PINOCCHIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
MYSTERY STREET
THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 03-15-1967
SIGNS OF ANGER
HIS JAWS ARE GETTING TIGHT.
I HEARD THE COLORED LABORERS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT USE THE
EXPRESSION "HIS JAWS ARE GETTIN' TIGHT" TO INDICATE THAT A
PERSON WAS BECOMING ANGRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
BELIEF
LITTLE WHITE BRUISES UNDER YOUR NAILS ARE BEAUTY MARKS.
Submitter comment:
CHRIS LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER. SINCE THEY ARE OF POLISH DESCENT,
IT IS A POLISH BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
ITCH IN THE PALM OF THE HAND
IF THE PALM OF THE HAND ITCHES IT MEANS THAT YOUR GOING TO GET SOME
UNEXPECTED/SURPRISING MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
EAR IS RINGING
IF YOUR EAR IS RINGING, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching ear |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
TO EASE ASTHMA, CHANGE YOUR BED AND PLACE A PAN OF HOT WATER
UNDER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HIDE NOT YOUR TALENTS; THEY FOR USE WERE MADE
WHAT GOOD IS A SUNDIAL IN THE SHADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
PROVERB
HE WHO TREATS HIMSELF HAS A FOOL FOR A DOCTOR.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO HER BY HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEDICAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curer |
OLD POLISH PROVERB
HE WHO SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR RUNS LITTLE RISK OF FALLING OUT OF BED.
Submitter comment: SHE GOT THIS FROM MR. CRAINE IN THE ENGLISH DEPT. AT U. OF D.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |