Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ORIGIN OF IRELAND
IRELAND BEGAN WHEN A TEAR OF HOPE FELL FROM HEAVEN INTO THE
SEA. THIS FORMED THE EMERALD ISLE. THE COLOR GREEN HERE IS
A SIGN OF HOPE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLOR ; Emerald Isle ; ETYMOLOGY ; Green ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
ALWAYS SIT DOWN WHEN IT IS THUNDERING AND LIGHTENING BECAUSE
GOD IS CLEANING UP HIS HOUSE.
Submitter comment: VERY SUPERSTITIOUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Proverb
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Submitter comment:
From - Uncertain
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; GLASS ; House ; HYPOCRISY ; Hypocrite ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; STONE ; STONES ; Throw ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
MARRIAGE BELIEF
WHEN A SINGLE GIRL HAS HER FEET SWEPT SHE'LL MARRY A WIDOWER.
Submitter comment: BELIEF COMES FROM MEXICAN TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 12-00-1981
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE FIRST PERSON WHO COMES OVER THE THRESHOLD OF
YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE A MAN TO BRING GOOD LUCK
TO THE HOUSE-HOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-26-1971
Superstition
IF YOU CUT DOWN A TREE, A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; FAMILY ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
JEWISH BELIEF
JEWS CANNOT EAT PORK BECAUSE THEY BELEIVE IT IS UNCLEAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consumption ; Culture ; FOOD ; Pork ; RELIGION ; Semitic
| Subject headings: | Custom BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 02-28-1971
MAGIC RING
THIS IS A BELIEF OF INDIA. THERE IS A RING-- SET ON A TABLE--
THAT ATTRACTS SOULS. IT IS WHAT YOU CALL AN ANTENNA. THE SOULS
THAT IT ATTRACTS POSSESS THE BODY OF A LIVING PERSON, THIS IS
VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT USED PROPERLY, OR IS USED BY A WEAK MEDIUM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE LIGHT BULB
THE FOREMAN WALKS INTO HIS SHOP TO SUPERVISE HIS MEN.
HE SPOTS A MAN HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FROM ONE OF THE
CEILING BEAMS. HE SAYS, "HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP
THERE WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING?" THE REPLY:
"I'M A LIGHT BULB!" FOREMAN: "YOU'RE FIRED!"
THE MAN LEAVES AND THEN THE FOREMAN SEES ANOTHER
WORKER, THE ONE WHO WORKED BESIDE THE ONE CLAIMING TO
BE A LIGHT BULB, AND SAYS: "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE
GOING?" REPLY: "IF YOU THINK I'M WORKING IN THE DARK,
YOU'RE CRAZY!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
HAIR OMEN
MEN SHOULD NOT WEAR HATS OR THEY'LL GO BALD.
Submitter comment:
FROM MEXICO, MANY PEOPLE STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS CUSTOM. THE INFORMANT,
MY MOTHER, COMMENTED THAT HER MOTHER FREQUENTLY SAID THIS TO HER HUS
BAND.
HUSBAND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
MANY POLISH PEOPLE EAT ONLY CERTAIN FOODS ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24).
THESE FOODS CONSISTS (CONSIST) OF FISH, CHEESE, EGGS, BREAD,
FRUIT, SALT AND PEPPER, AND MILK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM EVERY YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
ITCHING HANDS
IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SHAKE HANDS WITH A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
CHRISTMAS
EACH PERSON, BEFORE DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, RECEIVES A
PIECE OF WHITE WAFER (ANGEL BREAD). EACH PERSON GOES TO
EVERY OTHER PERSON AND MAKES WISHES FOR HIM FOR
THE NEXT YEAR. WITH EACH WISH THE WISHER MAKES FOR
HIS PARTNER, HE BREAKS A TINY PIECE OF WAFER OFF. WHEN
HE IS FINISHED WISHING, THE WISHER EATS THE BITS
OF WAFER HE HAS BROKEN OFF. THE RECEIVER OF THE WISHES
THEN WISHES THE 1ST PERSON IN A SIMILAR WAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
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LOOKING IN CORNERS
WHEN SOME PERSON YOU KNOW IS CONSTANTLY SNOOPING AROUND YOU CAN SAY
"ONLY MONKEYS LOOK IN CORNERS."
WHEN YOU WRITE A LETTER OR A NOTE YOU CAN WRITE "ONLY MONKEYS LOOK
IN CORNERS."
Submitter comment:
THESE TWO GO TOGETHER BECAUSE OFTEN PEOPLE LOOK FOR MISTAKES IN
LETTERS THEY RECEIVE AND BY PUTTING THE PHRASE IN ONE OF THE CORNERS
YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE PERSON SHOULD ENJOY THE LETTER AND NOT LOOK
FOR MISTAKES. THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON
James Callow Keyword(s): PARA-RIME: BUY BE ; TREATING TO DRINKS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-24-1971