Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 1945 returned 578 results.
FARMING LIE
IN CASEVILLE, MICHIGAN, THE PUMPKINS GET SO BIG THAT THEY HAVE TO
BE HARVESTED BEFORE THEY ARE DONE GROWING. IF YOU LET THEM GROW
TOO LONG, THEY WILL DRAG THEIR VINES DOWN THE ROAD AND WEAR THEM-
SELVES OUT UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
A FRIEND OF MINE WAS KILLED IN VIETNAM, HIS FATHER HEARD
A SHOT IN HIS SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY RECEIVED
THE TELEGRAM AND HE KNEW HIS SON HAD BEEN KILLED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
WHEN YOU LOOK UP AT A DOOR AND THINK YOU SEE A SHADOW,
SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-16-1968
IF A PERFORMER DOES NOT BREAK A GUITAR STRING DURING A
PERFORMANCE, BAD LUCK OF SOME SORT (USUALLY NOT
SERIOUS) WILL COME TO HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; ABSOLUTE ZERO COFFEEHOUSE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
WHEN THE SUN CASTS RAYS, IT MEANS IT IS DRAWING FOR RAIN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
FALLING STARS EITHER MEAN GOOD LUCK OR DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Good luck P881.111 |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
IF YOU SEE A HORSE WITH A WHITE TAIL, TURN AROUND AND YOU WILL
SEE A PERSON WITH RED HAIR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
IF A PERSON IS SICK AND THE DOG HOWLS, THERE WILL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
IF A BIRD HITS A WINDOW, IT IS A SIGN OF DEATH IN
THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 09-28-1965
IF A BIRD FLIES INTO YOUR HOUSE, OR AGAINST A WINDOW
OF YOUR HOUSE, THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN YOUR FAMILY
SOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 02-09-1968
WHEN A CASKET IS CARRIED DOWN THE STEPS OF A CHURCH
ON ITS WAY TO THE GRAVEYARD, IT BECOMES CONSIDERABLY
LIGHTER. IT IS SAID THAT THIS IS BECAUSE THE
PERSON'S SOUL IS LEAVING THE BODY ON ITS WAY TO
HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS SUPERSTITION HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH OUR
FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of quantity or weight |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
WHEN A FORK FALLS ON THE FLOOR, COMPANY WILL COME FROM
THE DIRECTION ITS TINES POINT TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE
COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
JUDY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD IN NEW JERSEY.
HER MOTHER USED TO SAY IT ALL THE TIME. SHE HONESTLY
BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD ; 11-27-1965
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL, SOMEONE YOU KNOW WILL
DIE WITHIN A SHORT TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
IF A PERSON GETS THE SHIVERS, IT MEANS SOMEONE IS
WALKING OVER HIS FUTURE GRAVE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Chills, shivering |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
IF YOU GET A CHILL DOWN YOUR SPINE THAT MEANS THAT
SOMEONE IS WALKING OVER YOUR GRAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Chills, shivering |
Date learned: 10-06-1965
IF A PERSON HAS LONG HAIR ON HIS ARMS, IT MEANS A RICH
MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
IF SOMEONE PLANS A SURPRISE PARTY FOR YOU AND YOU FIND OUT
ABOUT IT, IT WILL BE A BAD DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE CONVERSING IN A ROOM AND SUDDENLY
THERE IS COMPLETE SILENCE, IT IS EITHER A QUARTER OF OR
AFTER THE HOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DINNER
WHEN RATIONS WERE LOW AND THERE WAS COMPANY FOR DINNER PARENTS
WOULD SAY FHB FOR "FAMILY HOLD BACK." THIS STARTED DURING
DEPRESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 12-04-1972