Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DRIVING--TURN SIGNAL
ARM STRAIGHT DOWN MEANS SLOW UP OR STOP.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; PARENTS
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT WAS CUSTOMARY TO COVER HANDS WITH THE COMMUNION RAIL
CLOTH DURING THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT UNTIL
ABOUT 1964.
Data entry tech comment: IS THIS PECULIAR TO MICHIGAN? NOT DONE IN TOLEDO, OHIO
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
WHENEVER PASSING A CHURCH, NOD YOUR HEAD OR TIP YOUR HAT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Head SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: 09-24-1969
WHEN SOMEONE STARTS CALLING YOU NAMES, HOLD YOUR
HAND FLAT, PALM TOWARD HIM, AND CALL "MIRROR,
WHATEVER YOU SAY YOU ARE."
Submitter comment: GESTURE IS USED TO IMITATE A MIRROR.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Derision Scorn SPEECH -- Magical |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
IF A PERSON IS TELLING THE OTHER PERSON SOMETHING AND
THE OTHER PERSON HAS ASKED FOR THE TRUTH, AND THE
PERSON TELLING THE STORY CROSSES HIS FINGERS, WHEN HE
DOES SO, THEN HE IS TELLING THE PERSON AN UNTRUTH AND
IT IS BELIEVED NOT TO HAVE THE CONSEQUENCES O A LIE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NEGRO SUPERSTITION (PREVENTATIVE)
BLACK CAT RUNS IN FRONT OF YOU, IT MEANS BAD LUCK SO
SPIT TO CHANGE IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Magical Luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
WHEN A PERSON IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING IN WHICH HE
OR SHE NEEDS GOOD LUCK, THE PEOPLE WAITING FOR
THEM AND THEY THEMSELVES CROSS THEIR MIDDLE AND
FOREFINGERS FOR LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1955-1963.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
CROSSING THE MIDDLE AND FOREFINGERS IS A
SYMBOL FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CROSSING THE FINGERS IS A SIGN ONE WOULD MAKE IF HE
WISHES TO HAVE GOOD LUCK FALL HIS WAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Belief; Custom; Superstition; Gesture; Crossing; Fingers; Cross; Finger; Luck;
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
YOU TAP A PIECE OF WOOD TO PREVENT THE LOSS OF GOOD
LUCK BY MENTIONING THE FACT THAT YOU HAD GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
James Callow Keyword(s): Knock On Wood
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING GOOD LUCK AND YOU HAPPEN TO
MENTION IT OUT LOUD, YOU SHOULD KNOCK ON A PIECE OF
WOOD SO YOUR LUCK WILL NOT LEAVE YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knocking ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FOR GOOD LUCK, ONE SHOULD CROSS TWO FINGERS ON ONE HAND
BUT SHOULD HE CROSS FINGERS ON TWO HANDS, IT WILL
RESULT IN BAD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOLDING DICE IN YOUR HAND AND BLOWING ON THEM IS
SUPPOSED TO BRING YOU GOOD LUCK IN A DICE GAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Blow ; BREATH ; Breathe ; CUSTOM ; DICE ; GAMBLING ; GAME ; Gaming ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A PERSON CROSSES HIS ARMS OR HANDS IN THE FORM OF A
CROSS WHEN A VAMPIRE COMES, HE WILL DRIVE IT AWAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): Arms ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; Cross ; GESTURE ; Vampire ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PLACING THE TWO FINGERS NEXT TO YOUR THUMB ON YOUR
RIGHT HAND IN THE FORM OF A "V" OVER YOUR LEFT
SHOULDER: SIGN FOR DRAG RACING.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement SPEECH -- Games Riddles Jokes |
Date learned: 09-30-1968
TONGUE AND CHEEK GESTURE
AFTER SAYING SOMETHING FUNNY (JOKE, ETC.) STICK
YOUR TONGUE INTO YOUR CHEEK SYMBOLIZING TONGUE &
CHEEK HUMOR.
Data entry tech comment: TONGUE IN CHEEK HUMOR
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote SPEECH -- Games Riddles Jokes |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A POPULAR ITALIAN GESTURE CONSISTS OF TAKING THE CLOSED
FIST OF EITHER HAND WITH THE KNUCKLE OF THE INDEX
FINGER PROTRUDING SLIGHTLY AND TWISTING IT AGAINST
THE CHEEK. THE HEAD MAY ALSO BE NODDED SLIGHTLY
AS THE TWISTING MOTION IS GIVEN.
MEANING: THIS GESTURE IS GIVEN BY A PERSON WHO IS
PLEASED WITH SOMETHING.
EXAMPLE: AFTER A GOOD DINNER A COOK MIGHT ASK OF ONE
OF THOSE WHO ATE, "HOW WAS DINNER?" THE PERSON
MIGHT REPLY WITH THIS GESTURE (SIMPLY MEANING, IT WAS
DELICIOUS).
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food SPEECH -- Eating |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN A PERSON IS HITCHHIKING, A COMMON GESTURE WHICH
HE OFTEN SEES IS THE DRIVER HOLDING UP ONE OR TWO
FINGERS TO SIGNIFY THAT HE IS NOT PICKING YOU UP
BECAUSE HE IS ONLY GOING ONE OR TWO BLOCKS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Travel Hitchhiking |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHERE WERE THE FIRST DOUGHNUTS MADE?
IN GREECE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN: GREASE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)
LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |