Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
WHY LOCK THE BARN AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN?
Submitter comment:
MEANING: IT IS TOO LATE TO SECURE SOMETHING ONCE IT HAS BEEN
STOLEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHEN AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR IN A ROOM
BEGINS TO ROCK SPONTANEOUSLY, THAT SOMEONE WILL SOON DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1972
CHRISTMAS DINNER TRADITION
BEFORE EATING THE CHRISTMAS DINNER, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD
BLESSES EACH ROOM AND ALL GUESTS WITH HOLY WATER.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN MINNESOTA BUT COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DIMPLE
" DIMPLE ON THE CHIN, DEVIL WITHIN"
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
Date learned: 00-00-1969
NAME
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN CALLED,
BY OTHER RIVAL SCHOOLS, THE "U OF D CRUDS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
YOUR HAIR WILL BE CURLY IF YOU EAT YOUR BREAD CRUSTS.
Submitter comment:
MOTHER USED THIS TO GET US TO EAT OUR CRUSTS.
SHE KNEW IT REALLY WAS'NT TRUE AND SO DID WE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 00001950'S LATE
TALE: CLEVER ALICE
THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL NAMED ALICE WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED. SHE
WENT DOWN TO THE CELLAR TO GET SOME WINE AND WAS GONE FOR A VERY
LONG TIME. FINALLY HER FATHER SENT THE MAID DOWN TO FIND OUT
WHAT WAS WRONG. THE MAID SAW ALICE SITTING THE THE CELLAR CRYING
AND ASKED HER WHAT WAS THE MATTER. ALICE SAID, "SEE THAT AXE
STUCK IN THE BEAM IN THE CEILING? ONE DAY OUR SON WILL COME DOWN
HERE, THE AXE WILL FALL DOWN AND CHOP HIS HEAD OFF." THE MAID
SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE," AND SHE TOO SAT DOWN AND
STARTED CRYING. WELL, PRETTY SOON THE BUTLER WENT DOWN TO FIND
OUT ABOUT THE MAID, THEN THE MOTHER, FATHER, AND FINALLY THE
BRIDEGROOM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM. THE BRIDE-
GROOM SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE. LET'S GO UP AND GET
MARRIED RIGHT NOW."
THEY GOT MARRIED AND ALICE TURNED OUT TO BE THE TYPE THAT SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I BAKE OR DUST? I DON'T KNOW, SO I'LL SLEEP FOR
A WHILE." SO SHE WOULD FALL ASLEEP ALL DAY AND NEVER HAVE ANY
WORK DONE WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME. ONE DAY HER HUSBAND TOLD
HER TO GO ROUND UP THE GEESE. WHEN SHE GOT OUTSIDE SHE SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I ROUND UP THE GEESE OR FIX MY HAIR?" SHE SAT
DOWN TO THINK IT OVER AND FELL ASLEEP IN THE HAYLOFT. HER HUSBAND
GOT WORRIED AND WENT TO FIND HER. WHEN HE FOUND HER SLEEPING IN
THE HAYLOFT HE PUT A HAIR NET WITH BELLS ON HER HEAD. WHEN SHE
WOKE UP AND HEARD THE BELLS SHE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE. SHE
KNOCKED AND ASKED FOR CLEVER ALICE. THE HUSBAND SAID, "YES,
SHE'S ASLEEP IN HER BED." THEN ALICE SAID, "WELL THEN, WHO AM
I?" THE HUSBAND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. SO ALICE USED TO GO FROM
DOOR TO DOOR ASKING WHO SHE WAS, AND SHE HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD OF
SINCE.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER, MRS.
JOSEPHNE (JOSEPHINE?) DAMIN, WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
CAN TELL IF A PERSON IS DEAD IF HIS EYES ROLL TO THE
BACK OF HIS HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
NUNS
BE CAREFUL OF GOING OUT WITH BOYS WHO WEAR LONG NECKTIES
BECAUSE LONG NECKTIES POINT IN AN OBVIOUS DIRECTION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID SHE HEARD THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL FROM A
DERANGED NUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P439 BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
BELIEVED THAT I WOULD LIVE ON A CLOUD OVER PARIS WHEN I
TURNED 8 YEARS OLD.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER LIVED IN PARIS--THAT'S WHERE I BELONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Maturity |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT, IF SHE IS FAT STRAIGHT OUT IN
FRONT, THE BABY WILL BE A BOY, WHEREAS IF SHE IS FAT
ALL AROUND, THE BABY WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
PUT HAND AND FEET INTO THE AIR WHEN A TRAIN IS
MOVING ON THE TRACK DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU.
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 02-05-1971
THE BLARNEY STONE IS LOCATED IN A CASTLE IN IRELAND.
TRADITION SAYS IF YOU GO THERE AND CLIMB UP TO A POINT
ABOVE THE STONE, AND SOMEONE HOLDS YOU BY THE ANKLES,
SO THAT YOU HANG DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE STONE,
AND YOU KISS IT, YOU'LL GET THE GIFT OF BLARNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 09-28-1968
ONE HUNGARIAN BURIAL CUSTOM IS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE
IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED TO PLACE SOME SMALL
PERSONAL TRINKET IN THE CASKET.
Submitter comment:
DIANE'S RELATIVES ON HER MOTHER'S SIDE ARE HUNGARIAN
AND SHE HAS SEEN THIS CUSTOM OBSERVED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IF A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER HAS BEEN KILLED, THE ROCK THAT
KILLED HIM IS PUT ON HIS GRAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
IF THERE'S A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, LEAVE FOOD AND WATER
ON THE WINDOWSILL BECAUSE THAT PERSON ALWAYS COMES BACK
IN THE FORM OF A DOVE TO DRINK AND EAT FOR THE LAST
TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR PEOPLE TO WALK IN PROCESSION FROM
THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD PERSON TO THE PLACE OF BURIAL
(WITH THE CASKET) TO KEEP HIM COMPANY ON HIS LAST
JOURNEY ON EARTH.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
ITALIAN BURIAL CUSTOM
SOME ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT IF THEY SCATTER THE ASHES
OF A CREMATED FRIEND OR RELATIVE OVER THE TOWN, THE
DEAD PERSON'S SPIRIT WILL REMAIN WITH THE TOWNSPEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
BELIEF IN PART OF THE BODY
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL KISS A FOOL.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose |
SUPERSTITION
A WOMAN'S WISDOM TEETH FALL OUT WHEN SHE HAS HER FIRST BABY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1968