Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MISTLETOE
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, MISTLETOE IS HUNG FROM
CHANDELIERS, ARCHWAYS, ETC. WHEN A PERSON STANDS
UNDER THIS MISTLETOE, THE FIRST PERSON OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX TO COME UP TO SUCH PERSON, IS TO KISS
HIM OR HER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS WHEN VERY YOUNG.
Keyword(s): PARASITE ; poison ; POISONOUS PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
THE GROOM SHOULD NEVER LOOK AT THE BRIDE BEFORE THEY
ARE MARRIED ON THEIR WEDDING DAY. IF HE DOES, BAD
LUCK WILL COME TO HIM.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS MANY YEARS AGO BEFORE A WEDDING.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Separation before wedding |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
EVERY BRIDE MUST HAVE ON SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING
NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, AND SOMETHING BLUE WHEN
SHE GOES UP TO THE ALTAR.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS LONG AGO BUT DON'T KNOW WHO FROM.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
IT IS THE CUSTOM AT WEDDINGS TO THROW RICE AT THE BRIDE
AND GROOM AS THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH. THE RICE IS A
SYMBOL OF FERTILITY AND SO THIS THROWING OF RICE IS
A HOPE THAT THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE HAVE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS A FEW YEARS AGO.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Rice |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
THE BRIDE THROWS THE BOUQUET WHEN SHE LEAVES THE
CHURCH. THE GIRL WHO CATCHES THE FLOWERS WILL
BE THE NEXT GIRL PRESENT TO GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND MANY YEARS AGO.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet toss |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
IF YOU EAT SAUERKRAUT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU'LL BECOME
RICH.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER TOLD ME THIS AT HOME.
Date learned: 11-24-1967
THE LAST BLAST
IT IS A COMMON CUSTOM AMONG THE AMERICANS TO GET INEBRIATED
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS AT HOME.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Drink |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
NOISE MAKERS AND STREAMERS ARE ALWAYS AT NEW YEAR'S EVE
PARTIES TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR. THEY ARE USED WHEN
THE CLOCK STRIKES TWELVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
THE FIRST ONE TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
SHOULD BE A MAN, FOR GOOD LUCK. IF IT'S A WOMAN, IT'S
BAD LUCK. ALSO APPLIES TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO CALLS
YOU ON THE PHONE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FATHER BELIEVED STRONGLY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-12-1972
IT IS COMMON CUSTOM FOR PEOPLE TO KISS ONE ANOTHER AT
THE START OF A NEW YEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE AT
PARTIES ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS AT HOME.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ARE OPENED BY SOME FAMILIES ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS THROUGH MY FRIENDS.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IN MOST FAMILIES, INCLUDING OURS,
ARE ALWAYS OPENED ON CHRISTMAS MORNING BEFORE
BREAKFAST.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM OUR FAMILY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
MANGER
MANY PEOPLE PUT FIGURINES RESEMBLING THE NATIVITY
SCENE UNDER THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES. THESE SMALL
STATUES ARE USUALLY A FEW INCHES IN HEIGHT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HOME.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
MISTLETOE
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, MISTLETOE IS HUNG FROM
CHANDELIERS, ARCHWAYS, ETC. WHEN A PERSON STANDS
UNDER THIS MISTLETOE, THE FIRST PERSON OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX TO COME UP TO SUCH PERSON, IS TO KISS
HIM OR HER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS WHEN VERY YOUNG.
Keyword(s): PARASITE ; poison ; POISONOUS PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
BEFORE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, PEOPLE CUT DOWN EVERGREEN
TREES AND STAND THEM UP IN THEIR LIVING ROOMS
BY MEANS OF SUPPORTS. THEY THEN DECORATE THESE
TREES WITH MULTI-COLORED BUBLS, LIGHTS, TINSEL,
ORNAMENTS OF ALL SORTS, STRINGED POPCORN, ETC.
THEY USUALLY LEAVE THEM UP TILL AFTER NEW YEAR'S
DAY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HOME.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, FAMILIES, CLUBS,
ORGANIZATIONS, ETC., GO AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS
OF COMMUNITIES AND SING CAROLS FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS. THE RESIDENTS COME
TO THE WINDOWS AND LISTEN TO THEM.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
HIDE AND SEEK
THIS GAME IS PLAYED BY THREE OR MORE CHILDREN. ONE
PERSON IS "IT" AND CLOSES HIS EYES AND COUNTS TO FIFTY
AT THE BASE. EVERYONE ELSE HIDES. WHEN THE COUNTER
IS THROUGH COUNTING, HE GOES AND LOOKS FOR THE OTHERS.
WHEN HE SEES A PLAYER HE THEN RUNS TO THE BASE AND
SAYS, "ONE, TWO, THREE, ON (NAMES THE PERSON)." THE
HIDER ALSO RUNS TO THE BASE AND TOUCHES IT SAYING,
"FREE!" THE FIRST ONE TO THE BASE AND THROUGH WITH
THEIR SENTENCE WINS. THE HIDER IS EITHER CAUGHT OR
FREE. THE FIRST ONE CAUGHT IS "IT" FOR THE NEXT
GAME.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
STONE SCHOOL
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED BY SMALL CHILDREN. ONE
PERSON IS CALLED THE TEACHER AND THE OTHERS ARE THE
PUPILS. THE SIDEWALK IS THE SCHOOL AND EACH BLOCK
IS A DIFFERENT GRADE. THE PUPILS ALL START FROM THE
FIRST CEMENT BLOCK. THE TEACHER TAKES A SMALL
STONE AND HOLDS IT BEHIND HER BACK. THEN CONCEALS THE
STONE BY CLENCHING IT IN EITHER OF HIS FISTS. HE
THEN PUTS BOTH FISTS IN FRONT OF HIM AND ONE PUPIL
GUESSES WHICH FIST HOLDS THE STONE. IF HE IS RIGHT
HE GRADUATES TO THE NEXT CEMENT BLOCK; IF HE IS
WRONG, HE FLUNKS AND STAYS WHERE HE IS. EACH PUPIL
GETS A TURN TO GUESS AND THERE ARE USUALLY ABOUT
TEN TO FIFTEEN CEMENT BLOCKS TO PASS.
Submitter comment: I PLAYED THIS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN VERY SMALL.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement C560.14 |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
KICK THE CAN
THIS GAME IS PLAYED BY THREE OR MORE PERSONS. ONE
PERSON IS "IT" AND COUNTS TO FIFTY AT A BASE, WHICH
IS A CAN. EVERYONE ELSE HIDES. WHEN THROUGH COUNTING,
THE COUNTER GOES AND LOOKS FOR THE OTHERS; WHEN HE SEES
SOMEONE HE RUNS AND KICKS THE CAN. THE PERSON WHO IS
SEEN ALSO RUNS AND KICKS THE CAN. THE FIRST ONE TO
KICK THE CAN WINS. THE HIDER IS EITHER CAUGHT OR IS
FREE. ANY HIDER MAY RUN TO THE CAN AND KICK IT ANY
TIME HE WISHES UNTIL ALL HIDERS ARE IN. THE FIRST ONE
CAUGHT IS "IT" FOR THE NEXT GAME.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS GAME IN NEIGHBORHOOD.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
CROSSING YOUR FINGERS WHEN YOU COME UPON A DIFFICULT
TASK OR CHALLENGE SYMBOLIZES GOOD LUCK. PEOPLE
OFTEN CROSS THEIR FINGERS FOR OTHER PEOPLE AS
WELL AS THEMSELVES.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS LONG AGO THROUGH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Good luck Body parts and functions |
Date learned: 12-02-1967