Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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OMENS OF SPRING
IF YOU SEE A RED CARDINAL BUILDING A NEST IN A TREE, THAT MEANS THAT
SPRING IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
JEWISH NEW YEAR FOOD TRADITION
AT JEWISH NEW YEAR AT THE DINNER ON ROSH HASHONAH WE DIP SLICES OF
APPLE IN HONEY TO SYMBOLIZE LOOKING FORWARD TO A SWEET YEAR.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN THE CITY OF DETROIT ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN SUBURB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
PRAYER BELIEF
BEFORE WE GO ON A TRIP WE ALWAYS SIT DOWN TOGETHER, THINK A SILENT
PRAYER FOR A SAFE RETURN AND THEN START ON OUR TRIP. WE DO IT FOR
JUST A MOMENT OR TWO.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN THE CITY OF DETROIT ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN SUBURB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
SOCK TRADITION
JOE HOFFMAN'S FATHER ALWAYS HAD A SPECIAL WAY OF PUTTING ON HIS
SOCKS. JOE FOLLOWED THE FAMILY PATTERN BY FOLDING IN THE HEEL, THEN
FOLDING THE SOCK IN HALF, STEPPING ON IT AND UNFOLDING IT.
Submitter comment:
ITEM WAS LEARNED IN ORCHARD LAKE, MICHIGAN ALTHOUGH IT WAS COLLECTED
IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRESSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.31 |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
BELIEF
ALWAYS LEAVE THROUGH THE SAME DOOR WHENCE YOU CAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
MOTHER AND CHILD
THE CHURCH OF ST. LUKE IN BOLOGNA, ITALY HOUSES THE FAMOUS
JEWEL STUDDED PICTURE OF THE MADONNA AND CHILD WHICH IS
BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PAINTED BY ST. LUKE. A GREAT MANY MIRACLES
ARE ATTRIBUTED TO IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BALOGNA ; Jewel ; Madonna ; PAINTING ; Patron ; Picture ; Saint ; Saint Luke
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001968 (FALL)
METHOD OF CURING
INFORMANT RELATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD
AND HAD A COLD SORE ON HER MOUTH,
HER MOTHER WOULD SPLIT A RAISIN AND PUT IT ON THE SORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
RUSSIAN PEOPLE ACCEPTED CHRISTIANITY I BELIEVE IN
760 A.D. BEFORE THAT THERE WASN'T ANY ORGANIZED
RELIGION BUT THEY BELIEVED IN SOME SPIRITS OR GHOSTS.
ONE IS DOMOVOY. "DOM" IN RUSSIAN MEANS HOUSE; DOMOVOY
IS THE HOUSE SPIRIT. HE IS A VERY SMALL OLD MAN, ABOUT
THE SIZE OF A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD. HE HAS LONG HAIR
AND A LONG BEARD. HE ALWAYS WEARS BOOTS AND CAFTAN
(A RUSSIAN HOUSE COAT WITH A LONG TIE-ROPE AROUND
THE WAIST). HE LIVED IN THE ATTIC AND EVERY HOUSE HAD
ITS OWN DOMOVOY. HE WASN'T A BAD FELLOW BUT HE WAS
ALWAYS PLAYING TRICKS. IF SOMEONE FELL OFF THE STEPS
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED HIM. IF SOMETHING FELL OFF THE SHELF
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED IT. HE WAS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE UNEXPLAINED ACCIDENTS.
ANOTHER SPIRIT IS LESOVOY. "LES" IN RUSSIAN MEANS
FOREST; LESOVOY IS THE SPIRIT THAT LIVES IN THE WOODS.
HE IS SMALL AND HAIRY AND WEARS HIGH BOOTS AND A JACKET.
HE LIVED IN HOLLOW TREES AND ONE VERY SELDOM SAW HIM.
BY THE TIME I WAS SIX OR SEVEN YEARS OLD I STOPPED
BELIEVING IN THESE SPIRITS. I NEVER HEARD OF THEM IN
THE BIG CITIES, ONLY IN SMALL VILLAGES AND TOWNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
CHRISTMAS FOOD TRADITION
AT CHRISTMAS TIME, EVERYONE PARTICIPATES IN AN EGG FIGHT TO FIND
THE YEAR'S CHAMPION (COLORED EGGS AND LEMON PIES ARE MADE TWO DAYS
IN ADVANCE).
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
O.K. SIGN--JOIN THUMB AND INDEX FINGER TI SIGNIFY
EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; FOR MANY YEARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms SPEECH -- All right O.K. |
Date learned: 10-22-1969
COACH SHADA
AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE, THERE IS A PORTRAIT OF
THE LATE COACH JOHN SHADA WHO PUT THE SCHOOL IN THE
TOP BRACKET OF ITS DIVISION FOR MANY YEARS, ACROSS FROM THE
TROPHY CASE. THE PASTOR TELLS PEOPLE IT IS THERE SO JOHN CAN
LOOK OVER HIS TROPHIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PEAS PORRIDGE HOT, PEAS PORRIDGE COLD,
PEAS PORRIDGE IN THE POT, NINE DAYS OLD.
SOME LIKE IT HOT, SOME LIKE IT COLD.
SOME LIKE IT IN THE POT, NINE DAYS OLD.
SECOND VERSE--SUBSTITUTE "ONE DAY OLD" FOR "NINE DAYS OLD"
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.522 |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
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
CHILDREN'S SONGS
CHORUS: FUZZY WUZZY WAS A GUY.
LOOKED LIKE A HAWK WITH AN EAGLE'S EYE.
FOOLING PEOPLE WAS HIS NAME.
FUZZY WUZZY WAS THE OLD GUY'S NAME.
1ST VERSE: OLD KING COLE WAS A MERRY OLD SOLE.
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON A TELEPHONE POLE.
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON A TELEPHONE POLE.
ONE FOOT SLIPPED; THE OTHER ONE FELL.
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO HELL.
CHORUS
2ND VERSE: FUZZY WUZZY HAD BIG FEET.
SPREAD ALL OVER MARKET STREET.
MARKET STREET WAS MADE OF GLASS
FUZZY WUZZY FELL DOWN AND BROKE HIS . . .
CHORUS
3RD VERSE: WAY DOWN YONDER WHERE THE GRASS GROWS GREEN.
FROG JUMPED INTO A SEWING MACHINE.
SEWING MACHINE WAS GOING SO FAST
NINETY-NINE STICHES UP HIS . . .
CHORUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): CACOGRAPHY: SOLE FOR SOUL ; ELLIPSIS ; EUPHEMISM FOR ASS ; METONYMY: SOUL OR SOLE FOR ENTIRE PERSON, BODY, ETC.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IF YOU ARE AT A BAR AND A GIRL WALKS IN WEARING
WHITE BOOTS AND YOU ARE THE FIRST MAN TO TALK TO HER,
SHE WILL GO HOME WITH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Color |
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER HAS ALWAYS
MADE A GREEN IRISH WHISKEY PIE. IT'S A BASIC
CHEESECAKE WITH FOOD COLORING AND WHISKEY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: CA1960-1975
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
ONE OF THE WAYS WE ALWAYS CELEBRATED WAS TO HAVE ALL THE RELATIVES
OVER FOR AN IRISH DINNER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: CA1960-1975
HOCKEY SUPERSTITION
HOCKEY GOALIES ALWAYS PUT THEIR LEFT LEG PAD ON FIRST
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): SEQUENCE
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport S555.580 |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
SINGING IRISH SONGS AROUND THE TABLE OR AT A BAR IS A FAVORITE OF
MANY FAMILIES
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick |
Date learned: 00001960-1975
NEW YEAR'S DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE CORN BREAD HAD WITH THE POOR BOY'S MEAL
CONTAINS A DIME WHICH WILL GIVE GOOD LUCK TO THE PERSON WHO GETS IT.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982