Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF A BABY IS TEETHING YOU ARE TO GET SOME WHITE THREAD WITH
SEVEN WHITE BUTTONS FROM THE SAME SHIRT PUT IT AROUND THE BABIES
NECK AND HE OR SHE WON'T BE FRETFUL.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; CENTERVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 01-15-1984
IF YOU BREAK A MIRROR YOU WILL HAVE SEVEN YEARS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; CENTERVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Mirror |
Date learned: 04091984CA
BELIEF
IF YOU PUT A ROPE AROUND THE CAMP WHEN YOU'RE NOT CAMPING, THE SNAKES WON'T CROSS IT.
(COURSE, IT'S NOT TRUE.)
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ON A BUS ; BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fish |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
BELIEF
IF YOU GET IN A NEST OF BEES, THEY WON'T STING YOU IF YOU HOLD YOUR BREATH.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ON A BUS ; BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
IF YOUR AZALEA BLOOMS AT CHRISTIMASTIME, THERE'LL BE A DEATH
IN YOUR FAMILY.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ON A BUS ; BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
IF A BIRD TRIES TO GET IN THE HOUSE, THERE'LL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ON A BUS ; BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
HE'S A SIMPLE TOOL.
Submitter comment:
THIS EXPRESSION IS USED BY MASONS AND BRICKLAYERS TO
DESCRIBE A PERSON THAT CAN'T DO MANY COMPLICATED THINGS.
IT REFERS TO A CROW BAR OR A HAMMER, OR ANOTHER SIMPLE
TOOL THAT ANYONE CAN USE, THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE MUCH
SKILL TO USE. THE INFORMANT SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD THIS
FROM MASONS AND BRICKLAYERS IN ALABAMA, GEORGIA, AND
TENNESSEE DURING THE PAST TWENTY YEARS (1950S-1970S).
Where learned: ALABAMA ; GEORGIA ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
PROVERB
LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM ; BUS TO MONTGOMERY ; MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
PROVERB
SHOEMAKER'S CHILDREN NEVER HAVE SHOES.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM ; BUS TO MONTGOMERY ; MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
WE HAD A CUSTOM IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT BY PINCHING A PATTERN
INTO A DRINKING STRAW (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) AND ALTERNATING
SAYING "HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT," ONE COULD FIND
OUT THE TRUE STATE OF THEIR LOVE LIFE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; HIGH SCHOOL ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object SPEECH -- Formula |
BELIEF
BORN BY LIGHTNING, CAN'T BE HURT BY ANYTHING NATURAL OR HUMAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; AUBURN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
BELIEF
THE PERSON WHO TAKES THE LAST SERVING OR PIECE OF BREAD WILL BE AN OLD MAID.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; AUBURN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-28-1968
THE THREE DREAMS
THERE WERE THREE MEN TRAVELLING THROUGH THE SOUTH LOOKING FOR
WORK. THEY CAME UPON A FARM WHERE A FARMER'S WIFE OFFERED THEM
A SWEET POTATO PIE TO CHOP SOME WOOD. AFTER THEY HAD FINISHED
WORKING THEY WERE ALL VERY HUNGRY. THEY DECIDED THAT THEY
WOULD ALL GO TO SLEEP AND THE NEXT MORNING WHOEVER HAD HAD THE
BEST DREAM WOULD HAVE THE WHOLE PIE TO HIMSELF. THE NEXT DAY
THEY BEGAN TO RELATE THEIR DREAMS. THE FIRST MAN SAID THAT HE
WAS TOO TIRED AND HUNGRY TO DREAM ABOUT ANYTHING. THE SECOND
MAN SAID THAT HE HAD DREAMED ABOUT BEING RICH AND HAVING ALL
THAT HE WANTED TO EAT. THE THIRD MAN SAID THAT HE COULDN'T
SLEEP SO HE GOT UP AND ATE THE PIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS TYPE OF STORY IS COMMON AMONG SOUTHERN NEGROES. THE OBJECT
OF THE VICTUAL VARIES ACCORDING TO REGION. GREENS FOR GEORGIA
A POT OF RICE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA, AND SO ON.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; ANNISTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
IF A ROOSTER FLIES IN YOUR WINDOW, AND CROWS AFTER HE
PERCHES ON THE FOOT OF YOUR BED, YOU WILL BE DEAD BY SUNRISE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; SELMA
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01111984CA
HOME REMEDIES
FOR BURNS APPLY COBWEBS MIXED WITH SOOT TO THE AFFECTED
AREA AND COVER. MM
TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF BLISTERS MAKE A PASTE OF
SYRUP AND BAKING SODA AND APPLY TO THE AFFECTED AREA. MM
FOR NOSEBLEEDS A PAIR OF SCISSORS AND SEVERAL KEYS CAN
BE HUNG DOWN THE BACK OF THE VICTIM OR BROWN BAG PAPER
THAT HAS BEEN SOAKED IN VINEGAR CAN BE APPLIED TO THE ROOF
OF THE MOUTH OF THE VICTIM.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; SELMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
UNDERTAKER
THIS MAN OWNED A FUNERAL HOME AND HIS BUSINESS WAS
ALWAYS SLOW. HE GOT MOST OF HIS CUSTOMERS BY WATCHING
FOR ANY MISHAP THAT LOOKED LIKE DEATH WAS NEXT. ONCE
A MAN COLLAPSED ON THE STREET BECAUSE HE WAS TOO DRUNK.
THE UNDERTAKER TOOK HIM FOR DEAD AND PUT HIM IN THE
PARLOR WITH INTENTIONS OF EMBALMING HIM THE NEXT MORNING.
THE NEXT MORNING, HE WENT IN TO PREPARE THE SUPPOSED
CORPSE, HOWEVER, THE DRUNK HAD SLEPT OFF HIS CONDITION
AND AWAKENED SHOCKED TO FIND HIMSELF IN A FUNERAL PARLOR.
HE JUMPED UP AND RAN OUT THE DOOR AS THE UNDERTAKER
WAS COMING IN. THE UNDERTAKER YELLED AT HIM AS HE RAN
PAST--HEY! COME BACK HERE, YOU'RE DEAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN HIS HOME
TOWN, TUSKALOOSA, ALABAMA (1928).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; TUSCALOOSA
Keyword(s): DRUNKARD, MISTAKE ; J1849. INAPPROPRIATE ACTION FROM MISUNDERSTANDING -- MISC.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-19-1971 ; 00-00-1928
UNDERTAKER
THIS MAN OWNED A FUNERAL HOME AND HIS BUSINESS WAS
ALWAYS SLOW. HE GOT MOST OF HIS CUSTOMERS BY WATCHING
FOR ANY MISHAP THAT LOOKED LIKE DEATH WAS NEXT. ONCE
A MAN COLLAPSED ON THE STREET BECAUSE HE WAS TOO DRUNK.
THE UNDERTAKER TOOK HIM FOR DEAD AND PUT HIM IN THE
PARLOR WITH INTENTIONS OF EMBALMING HIM THE NEXT MORNING.
THE NEXT MORNING, HE WENT IN TO PREPARE THE SUPPOSED
CORPSE, HOWEVER, THE DRUNK HAD SLEPT OFF HIS CONDITION
AND AWAKENED SHOCKED TO FIND HIMSELF IN A FUNERAL PARLOR.
HE JUMPED UP AND RAN OUT THE DOOR AS THE UNDERTAKER
WAS COMING IN. THE UNDERTAKER YELLED AT HIM AS HE RAN
PAST--HEY! COME BACK HERE, YOU'RE DEAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN HIS HOME
TOWN, TUSKALOOSA, ALABAMA (1928).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; TUSCALOOSA
Keyword(s): DRUNKARD, MISTAKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1928
IF A VIRGIN PASSES THE CHIMES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA,
THE BRICKS WILL FALL OUT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; TUSCALOOSA
James Callow Keyword(s): PESSIMISM SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
IN 1930 A BLACK MAN WAS CONVICTED OF A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT,
HE WAS HUNG AND COMES BACK EVERY NIGHT AND IT IS SAID THAT HIS FACE
CAN BE SEEN, THEY HAVE CHANGED THE WHOLE COURTHOUSE BUT HE STILL
COMES BACK.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; JONESBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
FATTY, FATTY, TWO BY FOUR,
CAN'T GET THROUGH THE BATHROOM DOOR,
SO SHE DID IT ON THE FLOOR.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BALDWIN COUNTY ; FOLEY
| Subject headings: | -- |