Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MY GRANDFATHER, BEFORE GETTING INTO HIS CAR, WOULD
MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; BELIEF ; BLESSING ; Car ; Cross ; CUSTOM ; RELIGION ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 10-23-1970
WISH FOR OLD AGE
MAY ALLAH MAKE YOUR BEARD GROW LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; OFFICE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-08-1970
JUMP ROPE RHYME
JOE, JOE BROKE HIS TOE
ON HIS WAY TO MEXICO,
ON HIS WAY BACK, HE BROKE HIS BACK
SLIDING DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS RHYME FROM HIS DAD AND HIS SISTERS WOULD SAY IT WHILE JUMPING ROPE TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-22-1971
UKRAINIAN CUSTOM
CHRISTMAS EVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHRISTMAS. A SPECIAL DINNER
WOULD TAKE PLACE ON CHRISTMAS EVE CONSISTING OF SPECIAL FOODS
LIKE PANCAKES, MUCHROOMS (MUSHROOMS), POPPY SEEDS AND OTHER
REGIONAL FOODS. ONE CANDLE WAS LIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE.
THERE WAS NO MEAT OF ANY FORM SERVED ON THIS DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS AN UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN WHO PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM
DURING HER CHILDHOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Ukraine ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
SUPERSTITION CONCERNING MARRIAGE
IF YOU MARRY WITH THE HANDS ON THE CLOCK GOING DOWN,
THE MARRIAGE WON'T LAST.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER WORKED WITH THIS WOMAN, AND SHE WROTE DOWN
THIS SUPERSTITION FOR MY COLLECTION. MRS. HAIRSTON
LEARNED IF FROM HER MOTHER AND HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
SIGN TO BE LEFT IN ANGER
THANKS FOR TAKING TWO PARKING SPACES. I HAD TO PARK
IN THE NEXT BLOCK, YOU SELFISH, IDIOTIC MORON!!
YOU HAVE VIOLATED SECTION 368 D.A.M.I.T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACRONYM ; ANGER ; Note ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; SIGN
James Callow Keyword(s): ABBREVIATION ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Language: Rhyme
Nonsense Rhyme:
Of all the fishies in the brook,
I'd rather be a bass.
I'd climb up on the biggest rock
And slide down on my hands and knees.
Submitter comment:
Undetermined Origin
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added By TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C730] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): Brook ; FISH ; Fishies ; Hands ; Knees ; Language ; NONSENSE ; RHYME ; Rock ; Slide
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
SUPERSTITION CONCERNING GROWTH OF HAIR
IF YOU FLUSH HAIR DOWN THE TOILET, IT MEANS YOUR
HAIR WILL GROW.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM A WOMAN WITH
WHOM SHE WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER AND
GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
MONEY BELIEF
MY MOTHER ALWAYS GIVES A NEW-BORN BABY SILVER MONEY SO THAT IT
WILL NEVER BE IN NEED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS THE FIRST TIME SHE SEES
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
SMOKING LAMP
THERE IS A TRADITION CONCERNING THE SMOKING LAMP WHILE
ON SHIP IN THE NAVY. WHEN IT IS AFTER HOURS AND SMOKING
IS NOT PERMITTED, IT IS SAID THAT THE "SMOKING LAMP IS
OUT," AND WHEN SMOKING IS ALLOWED, IT IS SAID THAT "THE
SMOKING LAMP IS ON." NO SUCH LAMP EXISTS, BUT IT IS
UNDERSTOOD BY ALL AND CONSTANTLY REFERRED TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
MESS HALLS
IT IS A TRADITION AMONG SAILORS TO REFER TO THE MESS
HALLS AS RESTAURANTS. CONNECTED WITH THIS, ARE THE
JOKES AMONG THE MEN AS TO WHO IS BUYING, FLIPS
TO SEE WHO WILL PICK UP THE TAB, AND MAKING SURE
ONE GETS ONE MEAL TICKET PUNCHED WHILE IN LINE IN
THE MESS HALLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
BLANKET PARTIES
WHEN MEN ARE OVERSEAS, CROWDED ABOARD A SHIP, IT IS
FREQUENTLY THE CASE THAT TEMPERS RUN RATHER SHORT, AND
FLARE UP OVER DAILY OCCURRENCES. ONE SUCH INSTANCE
INVOLVES THOSE SAILORS WHO LACK GOOD HYGIENE HABITS,
THERE BEING A SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION TO HIS FELLOW
COMPARTMENT MATES. THERE IS A REGULAR NAVY TRADITION
FOR THE HANDLING OF JUST SUCH A SITUATION. FIRST,
THE GUILTY INDIVIDUAL IS GIVEN VARIOUS HINTS THAT HIS
"FRIENDS" ARE NOT PLEASED WITH HIS CLEANLINESS (BARS OF
SOAP UNDER HIS PILLOW, WET WASHCLOTHS IN HIS BUNK, ETC.)
AND IF THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEN A "BLANKET"
PARTY IS THE LAST RESORT. IN THIS, A BLANKET IS THROWN
OVER THE GUILTY INDIVIDUAL, AND HIS ROOM MATES BEAT HIM
FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. THE NEXT MORNING, IT IS USUALLY
THE CASE THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL IS THE FIRST ONE IN THE
SHOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
PEOPLE MAKE SPECIAL CAKES AND PLUM PUDDINGS IN MALTA AT CHRISTMAS
TIME. THEY GIVE THESE AWAY AS GIFTS SINCE THEIR CHRISTMAS IS NOT AS
COMMERCIAL AS IN THE U.S.A.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; GIFTS ; Malta ; Pudding ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Pastry CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
APRON
IF YOU HAVE ON AN APRON, AND IT DROPS ON THE FLOOR, THAT IS A
SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
IF YOU TELL A LIE, A BUMP WILL APPEAR ON YOUR TONGUE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM PEERS.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LYING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
YOGA
TO PREVENT INSOMNIA, DO YOGA EVERY NIGHT PRIOR TO GOING TO BED.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
ITALIAN SANTA CLAUS
THE BEFANA IS AN OLD WOMAN WHO WAS SWEEPING OUT
HER HOUSE ONE DAY WHEN THE THREE WISE MEN PASSED BY ON THEIR
WAY TO SEE THE CHRIST CHILD. SHE TOLD THEM TO WAIT UNTIL
SHE FINISHED HER SWEEPING SO THAT SHE COULD GO WITH THEM.
SHE FINISHED THE WORK AND GOT TOGETHER SOME FRUIT AND
CANDY BUT WHEN SHE WENT OUTSIDE THE MEN WERE ALREADY GONE.
AND NOW SHE ROAMS THE EARTH ON EVERY LITTLE CHRISTMAS LOOKING
FOR THE CHRIST CHILD AND GIVING FRUIT AND CANDY TO ALL LITTLE
CHILDREN ON THAT NIGHT. BAD CHILDREN RECEIVE COAL IN THEIR
STOCKING.
MY MOTHER SAYS THAT IN HER FAMILY THE BEFANA WOULD
COME AND THROW NUTS DOWN THE CHIMNEY TO WARN THE
KIDS TO BE GOOD BECAUSE SHE WAS COMING. THEN STOCKINGS WOULD
BE HUNG AND THE NEXT MORNING, THEY WOULD BE FILLED WITH
FRUIT AND COOKIES.
IN OTHER FAMILIES, THE CHILDREN WOULD ALL KNEEL AROUND
THE FIREPLACE AND PRAY WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART AND SOUL FOR
THE BEFANA TO COME. AND ONE BY ONE BASKERS FULL OF FRUIT
AND CANDY WITH EACH CHILD'S NAME IN IT WOULD COME DOWN.
IN THESE FAMILIES, THERE WERE NO STOCKINGS THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus BELIEF -- Prayer P642.64 |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
SUPERSTITION
WEAR DARK COLORED CLOTHES AFTER A DEATH TO ALLOW THE SOUL OF
THE DEAD TO REST.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT BRIGHT CLOTHES, BECAUSE OF THEIR
EMITTING PROPERTIES, STIMULATE THE SOUL AND PREVENT ITS REST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-12-1979
SUPERSTITION
PIMPLES ON THE FACE MEANS YOU HAVE COMMITTED AN IMMORAL ACT.
Submitter comment:
PIMPLES WERE VIEWED AS THE ESCAPE OF IMPURITIES FROM THE BODY
IMPURITIES APPEAR IN THE BODY DURING ACTS WHICH ARE NOT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE ESTABLISHED PRECEPTS OF GOOD BEHAVIOR,
SPECIFICALLY IMMORAL SEX ACTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-12-1979
Entry filtered.