Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN ANYTHING HANGS ON A DOORKNOB, BAD LUCK WILL
OCCUR.
Submitter comment: FROM HER AUNT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NEVER PART YOUR HAIR ON THE RIGHT; IT BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: BARBARA LEARNED THIS FROM HER HUNGARIAN UNCLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
IT'S BAD LUCK TO COUNT YOUR TEETH.
Submitter comment: HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions |
Date learned: 07-29-1964
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE A WOMAN ON A SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-03-1971
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE WOMEN ABOARD SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; SEXISM
Date learned: 03-15-1968
NEVER LET A PERSON BORROW SALT, UNLESS HE PAY
A PENNY OR A COPPER PIECE FOR IT, BECAUSE THAT IS
A SIGN OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Bad luck Money BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
NEVER GIVE YOUR BOYFRIEND SCISSORS, A RAZOR, OR AN
ELECTRIC SHAVER. IT IS BAD LUCK AND YOU WILL
BREAK UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
IT'S CONSIDERED UNLUCKY IF YOU USE A SCISSORS ON
SUNDAY. A RAZOR OR ANY OTHER CUTTING DEVICE IS
O.K., BUT A SCISSORS IS NOT TO BE USED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS PENNSYLVANIA
MOTHER IN HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 01-12-1967
DON'T GIVE A COMB AS A GIFT BECAUSE IT MEANS BAD
LUCK FOR THE RECEIVER.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A BELLE OF OLD NATCHEZ,
WHOSE GARMENTS WERE ALL SHREDS AND PATCHES.
WHEN COMMENT AROSE
ON THE STATE OF HER CLOTHES,
SHE DRAWLED, "WHEN AH ITCHES, AH SCRATCHES."
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): DIACLECT PRONUNCIATION ; FEMININE RHYME ; HUMOR ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
DON'T OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN A HOUSE. IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
CLEANING BELIEF
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE HOUSE MUST BE CLEAN, BUT YOU CAN NEVER SWEEP
THE DIRT OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DON'T OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE--IT'S VERY
UNFORTUNATE.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IT IS BELIEVED THAT OPENING AN UMBRELLA IN THE
HOUSE WILL BRING BAD LUCK. IF YOU ARE AN UNMARRIED
GIRL, IT ESPECIALLY MEANS THAT YOU WILL REMAIN
AN OLD MAID FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SPINSTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: 10-27-1969
WHEN YOU BREAK UP WITH A BOYFRIEND, DON'T WEAR THE
EARRING YOU HAD ON AGAIN, OR IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAD KNOWN THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem BELIEF -- Bad luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.) |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
IN INDIA TO LEAVE YOUR SHOES TURNED OVER WILL BRING
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
NEVER PUT YOUR LEFT SHOE ON FIRST IN THE MORNING
BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
IT IS BAD LUCK TO BUTTON A VEST FROM THE TOP
DOWN.
Submitter comment: INFORMER HAD KNOWN THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WEAR A DEAD MAN'S CLOTHES.
Submitter comment: ACQUIRED THIS THROUGH LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
IF A PERSON WALKS UNDER A LADDER, HE WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms BELIEF -- Bad luck Ladder (angles, pyramid, etc.) |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN