Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WEDDING RING IS WORN ON FOURTH FINGER OF LEFT HAND,
BECAUSE THERE IS AN ARTERY HERE WHICH LEADS TO THE
HEART.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Worn on left hand |
Date learned: 04-01-1970
LITHUANIAN WEDDING CUSTOM
AT LITHUANIAN WEDDINGS, IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR THE
BRIDE AND GROOM TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE TOGETHER,
RATHER THAN THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE WALKING HIS
DAUGHTER TO MEET THE GROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
ITALIAN WEDDING CUSTOM
IN ITALY THE WEDDING PARTY KIDNAPS THE BRIDE RIGHT
AFTER THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND THE GROOM HAS TO
FIND HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER AND YOU SEE ANOTHER PLAYER TWISTING
HIS RING IT MEANS THAT HE IS BLUFFING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Gesture |
IN A MARRIAGE CUSTOM, THE HUSBAND AND WIFE PARTICIPATE
IN A CEREMONY. IF THE WIFE PUTS HER HAND FIRST OVER
THE RICE BOWL, THEN HER HUSBAND PUTS HIS HAND OVER
HERS, HE WILL BE THE DOMINANT PARTNER. IT CAN ALSO
WORK THE OTHER WAY AROUND, SO THAT THE WIFE COULD
BE THE DOMINANT PARTNER. BOTH PARTNERS USUALLY
HESITATE TO PUT OUT THEIR HANDS FIRST.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN THAILAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 02-11-1971
SPOONERISMS
(1) OUR QUEER OLD DEAN/ OUR DEAR OLD QUEEN
(2) NOSEY LITTLE COOK/ COZY LITTLE NOOK
(3) IT IS KISTUMARY TO CUSS THE BRIDE/ IT IS CUSTOMARY TO KISS THE
BRIDE
(4) HALF-WARMED FISH/ HALF-FORMED WISH
(5) TONS OF SOIL/ SONS OF TOIL
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED MOST OF THESE IN MY EDUCATION 100 CLASS IN COLLEGE. C0 IT WAS A READING AND VOCABULARY COURSE, AND STUDENTS WERE
ALLOWED TO TELL AS MANY OF THESE SPOONERISMS AS POSSIBLE.
I GOT A MIXTURE OF THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
POLISH PROVERB
WHOEVER GETS UP EARLY,
GOD GIVES HIM THE MOST.
KTO RANO STAJE,
TEMU PAN BOG DAJE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT STRONGLY BELIEVES IN THIS PROVERB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
AFTER A WEDDING IN FLANDERS, THE BRIDE AND GROOM WOULD
WALK BACK TO THEIR HOUSE. ON THE WAY, VILLAGE
CHILDREN WOULD HALT THEIR PROGRESS BY HOLDING A
RIBBON ACROSS THEIR PATH AND GIVE THEM FLOWERS. THE
PARTY COULD NOT PROCEED UNTIL THE GROOM GAVE THEM
SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment: MISS VANNESTE LEARNED THIS FROM HER FLEMISH MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; BELGIUM ; FLANDERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
OLD FASHIONED REMEDIES
(1) IF YOU HAVE WARTS, SUBMERGE THEM IN DOG URINE, AND THE WART
WILL DISSAPPEAR.
(2) IF YOU HAVE A BLACK EYE, PUT RAW BEEF ON IT TO TAKE AWAY THE
SWELLING, THE BRUISE, AND THE PAIN.
(3) IF YOU HAVE HICCUPS, PUT A PAPER BAG OVER YOUR HEAD, OR
HOLD YOUR BREATH AND JUMP UP AND DOWN ON ONE LEG 10 TIMES.
(4) PUT GARLIC OR BUTTER ON A BEE STING OR BURN TO ALLEVIATE
THE PAIN. OF COURSE TAKE THE STINGER OUT FIRST.
(5) WRAP DOUGH WITH OLIVE OIL AROUND A BROKEN FINGER
AND THEN WRAP IT UP WITH A BANDAGE TO CURE THE BROKEN BONE.
Submitter comment:
THESE REMEDIES I KNOW ABOUT BECAUSE ALL HAPPENED TO ME.
ONE MAY PICK THEM UP AT HOME FROM RELATIVES OR PARENTS OR
FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001960S
THE GROOM IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SEE THE BRIDE IN HER
WEDDING DRESS BEFORE THE CEREMONY BEGINS OR IT
WILL BRING BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bride and groom must not see each other BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.545 |
Date learned: 03-04-1968
IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, IT MEANS YOU WILL
BE SHOWERED WITH BLESSINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Superstition about good weather |
Date learned: 03-04-1968
TONGUE TWISTERS
SAY EACH ONE OF THESE 3 TIMES RAPIDLY
SEE THE SEASHELLS SHINE BY THE SEASHORE.
BOY, GIRL, BOY, GIRL, BOY, GIRL, BOY, GIRL.
SEVEN SLIPPERY SEALS SAT SUNNING SILENTLY SIDE BY SIDE.
MIKE THE MILKMAN BRINGS MILK ON MONDAY.
TAMMY TIGER TAUGHT TIMMY TIGER TO TELL TIME.
"SAY!" SAID I, "SAY WHAT YOU SAID AGAIN."
Submitter comment: WE USED TO TRICK EACH OTHER WITH THESE IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001960S
SNEEZING LORE
SAY BRAHMA OR GOD BLESS YOU AFTER ONE SNEEZES TO GIVE GOD'S GRACE
FOR GOOD HEALTH.
SAY SHAHADIH AFTER ONE SAYS OR THINKS UP SOMETHING ABOUT SOME
PERSON, PLACE, OR THING WHEN ONE SNEEZES. THEN IT IS TRUE ABOUT
IT. E.G. I SAY WE WILL BE RICH ONE DAY, THEN A PERSON SNEEZES.
THEN IT WILL BE TRUE. IT IS LIKE A CERTIFICATE OF GRADUATION.
BRAHMA MEANS GOD BLESS YOU, AND SHAHADIH MEANS IT IS CERTIFICATION
TO THE TRUTH. BOTH ARE CHALDEAN WORDS OR DIALECT.
I ONCE READ IN A DOCTOR'S COLUMN THAT IF ONE SNEEZES, ONE WILL
LOSE 15 SECONDS OF ONE'S LIFE. IT IS ACCREDITTED TO BIOLOGICAL
REASONS.
Submitter comment: I PICKED THIS LORE UP MOSTLY FROM HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001960S
"DARK LADY"
ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, AT 12:00 A.M.,
TELL A GIRL TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR--
SHUT OFF ALL LIGHTS--AND TELL THE
GIRL TO REPEAT THREE TIMES "DARK LADY."
TELL HER NOT TO LOOK AWAY BUT KEEP
LOOKING AT HERSELF. IF HER FACE GLOWS
SHE IS A WITCH, IF IT DOESN'T SHE IS SAFE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT A TEENAGE PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
IF YOU ARE STUNG BY A BEE AND YOU DON'T REMOVE THE STINGER
A TREE WILL BEGIN TO GROW OUT OF YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-01-1990
HANG A ROSARY OUTSIDE THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Superstition about good weather |
Date learned: 02-14-1972
IT IS TRADITIONAL TO TIE THE GROOM'S PAJAMAS IN
KNOTS BEFORE HIS MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Before wedding |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
IN A CEREMONY OF ENGAGEMENT, PARENTS OF THE BRIDE AND
GROOM WILL TRY TO PUT A GOLD RING ON THE LEFT INDEX
FINGER OF THE BRIDE AND SHE WILL SHOW SOME KIND OF
RESISTANCE TO THIS. THE THOUGHT BEHIND THIS IS THAT
THE RING WILL CONFINE THE THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIOR OF
THE BRIDE.
Submitter comment:
DON'T KNOW. INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN DURING
HIS CHILDHOOD YEARS.
James Callow comment:
IF SHE RESISTS, WILL HE PUT IT ON ANOTHER FINGER?
IS HER RESISTANCE RITUALISTIC ONLY?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TAIWAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Engagement ring |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
AT THE TIME OF PROPOSAL, THE MAN AND THE BRIDE'S
PARENTS MUST ARGUE AND BARGAIN OVER THE DOWRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 11-03-1971
PLEASE WRITE YOUR COMPLAINT IN BOX BELOW. PLEASE
WRITE LEGIBLY.
James Callow comment: A VERY SMALL SQUARE SHAPE IS DRAWN ON THE 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN