Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON CHRISTMAS EVE, ITALIANS SERVE FIVE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH.
THEY ARE SMELT, SHRIMP, EEL, COD AND SQUID SAUCE OVER SPAGHETTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 02-26-1979
A LITTLE CLOTH CONTAINING SALT AND TIED WITH RED RIBBON IS GIVEN TO
MOTHERS OF BABIES. THIS IS PLACED IN A BABY'S CRIB OR BUGGY.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMANT'S SISTER WAS GIVEN ONE OF THESE CLOTHS WHEN ONE
OF HER CHILDREN WAS BORN. SHE DID NOT USE THE CLOTH BECAUSE SHE
FELT THE CROSS SHE HAD IN THE BABY'S ROOM WAS THERE TO PROTECT
THE CHILD.
AMULET
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
AT WEDDINGS OR OTHER FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS CONFETTI, A TYPE OF
ALMOND CANDY, SUGAR COATED IS USED TO DECORATE SWEET TRAYS. AT
WEDDINGS, THIS IS THROWN AT THE BRIDE AND GROOM AS GOOD LUCK.
FOR GRADUATION THE RED COLORED ONES ARE USED TO WARD OFF EVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
HORN SHAPED PENDANT- "CORNICUE"
THIS PENDANT IS USUALLY MADE OF A PRECIOUS METAL, GOLD OR SILVER.
IT IS GIVEN TO ANOTHER AS AN AMULET OF GOOD LUCK. IT SHOULD NOT
BE PURCHASED BY THE ONE WHO IS TO WEAR IT. IT SHOULD BE RECIEVED
AS A GIFT. IT IS WORN AROUND THE NECK ON A CHAIN. IRONICALLY
SOME WEAR A CROSS WITH IT , TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
"FATTURA"
WISHING ILLNESS BY PLACING A LETTER STATING THIS IN A FEATHER
PILLOW. SICKNESS CAUSED A PERSON TO BE TOTALLY IMMOBLIZED AND
WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN IN BED. IF A PERSON WAS KNOWN TO HAVE CURSED
SOMEONE WITH SICKNESS, THEN SALT WAS THROWN AFTER THAT PERSON BY
THE PERSON WHO WAS CURSED (WITHOUT THEM SEEING IT DONE) WHEN
THE PERSON RECOVERED FROM THE ILLNESS.
Submitter comment: "FATTURA" MEANS CHARM OR SPELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
EVIL EYE "MALOCCHIO"
A CURSE IS PLACED ON SOMEONE. TO FIND OUT IF A PERSON HAS IT
FIRST MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD THEN DROP OIL
INTO A BOWL CONTAINING WATER. IF THE OIL DISPERSES, THE PERSON
HAS THE CURSE. IF THE OIL COMES TO THE CENTER, THERE IS NONE.
CURSES ARE REMOVED BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD
THREE TIMES AND RECITING PRAYERS WITH INTENT FOR IT TO BE REMOVED.
Submitter comment: "MALOCCHIO" MEANS TO LOOK ASKANCE AT SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Conversions |
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
MADONNA
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ITALIAN EXPRESSION USUALLY SAID TO SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE
EXAGGERATING. THIS IS ALL THAT IS SAID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DESERT
CANNOLI-A FRIED PASTRY SHELL FILLED WITH SOME KIND OF PUDDING OR
CUSTARD. THE ENDS ARE DIPPED IN CANDY SPRINKLES OR NUTS, THEN
SPRINKLED WITH POWDERED SUGAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
FOOD
POLENTA-POOR MAN'S MEAL MADE OF CORN MEAL AND COVERED WITH
MEAT SAUCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Meat |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
FOOD
CANNELONI-PASTA TUBES FILLED WITH MEAT, COVERED WITH SAUCE, AND BAKED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PROVERB
VECCHIA CON LE CALZE ROSE. WITH OLD AGE YOU WEAR RED SOCKS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ITALIAN, USUALLY SAID WHEN AN OLDER PERSON IS OBVIOUSLY
TRYING TO LOOK YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GESTURE
CUPPING YOUR FINGERS AND THUMB TOGETHER, THEN WAVING YOUR HAND UP
AND DOWN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN ITALIAN GESTURE MEANING WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GESTURE
FLIPPING THE BACK OF YOUR HAND OFF YOUR CHIN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS ITALIAN, MEANING GO TO HELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
JOHN JACOB JINGLE-HIMER SMITH (SCHMIDT)
THAT'S MY NAME, TOO,
WHENEVER I GO OUT, THE PEOPLE ALWAYS SHOUT,
"JOHN JACOB JINGLE-HIMER SMITH."
HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH FOR... (REPEAT)
Submitter comment:
SHE NOTED IN THE WRITTEN COPY THAT SHE GAVE ME THAT THE
"I" IN "HIMER" WAS PRONOUNCED WITH A LONG SOUND AS IN
"HIGH."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HUMOROUS NAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
WHISTLING IN THE DRESSINGROOMS.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WHISTLE IN THE DRESSINGROOMS.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE SEEN THIS IN ACTION. I WAS AT ONE TIME IN A PLAY AT
GREENFIELD VILLAGE. DURING INTERMISSION I WAS IN THE
DRESSINGROOM, AND SOMEONE WAS WHISTLING. SOMEONE CAME IN AND
SAID THAT THIS WAS A BAD THING TO DO, BUT THE PERSON
JUST LAUGHED. THAT NIGHT DURING A DANCE ROUTINE, I ALMOST SLIPPED
AND FELL DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
THEATER SUPERSTION
READING THE SCRIPT BACKSTAGE OF THE PLAY YOU ARE IN, IS BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE BEEN IN PLAYS WHERE THE PERSON WHO HAS DONE THIS HAD
DIFFICULTY IN REMEMBERING HIS LINES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COMMON WORD
B.F. EGYPT
Submitter comment: IT IS A PLACE THAT IS VERY FAR TO DRIVE TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Common Word |
COMMON PHRASE
TO BLOW LUNCH
Submitter comment: ANOTHER NAME FOR VOMITING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Common Word PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 09-00-1977
VOCABULARY FOR MARIJUANA SMOKERS
HAVE SOME LUNCH
Submitter comment: IT IS ANOTHER NAME FOR GETTING HIGH SO NO ONE WILL KNOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Underworld |
Date learned: 12-00-1978
FEED A COLD STARVE A FEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-27-1979