Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU EAT BUTTER BEFORE YOU DRINK, IT WILL COAT YOUR
STOMACH AND YOU WON'T GET DRUNK. JUST BITE RIGHT INTO A
STICK OF BUTTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; EAST SIDE
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
BELIEF
YOU SHOULD NOT SPREAD BUTTER WITH A FORK, IT WILL MAKE THE COW
KICK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; DETROIT ZOO
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Butter ; Cow ; FOOD ; Fork ; SUPERSTITION ; Utensil
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Egg BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
FIGURE OF SPEECH
MARY SLOAN IS NOT THE BIGGEST CATFISH IN MY SEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DETROIT ZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; PERSONAL NAME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 08-20-1967
WHEN YOU HICCUP, IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE GROWING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-17-1967
SPORTS SUPERSTITION
MANY PLAYERS WILL AVOID RUNNING ON THE CHALK LINES
OF THE BASEBALL DIAMOND IN ORDER TO AVOID BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SANDLOTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
CAR THEFT MNEMONIC DEVICE
"CYMBAL"
Submitter comment:
THE LETTERS IN THE MNEMONIC STAND FOR ITEMS DESCRIPTIVE OF
THE STOLEN CAR. THEY ARE: COLOR, YEAR, MAKE, BODY STYLE, AND
LICENSE NUMBER. THE "A" IS NOT PART OF THE MNEMONIC; HOWEVER, ITS
LETTER POSITION IS USED TO REPRESENT THE CAR'S SERIAL OR "VIN"
NUMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLICE DEPARTMENT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
BELIEF ABOUT A GROUP
THE POLISH WERE SUPPOSEDLY INDICATED BY THE WHITE SOCKS THEY WORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P439 |
MAGIC
TELLING THE TEMPERTATURE BY COUNTING CRICKET CHIRPS. IF YOU COUNT
THE CHIRPS FOR A MINUTE, MULTIPLY BY THE SQUARE ROOT OF A COW'S HORN,
SUBTRACT YOUR AGE AND TOSS IN THE PRICE OF A HAM SANDWICH,
YOU COME UP WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN DEGREES OF FARENHEIT.
Submitter comment: HUMOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE ; NEWSPAPER ; THE DETROIT NEWS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
CUSTOM
A LEMON CUT OPEN IN AN ICEBOX IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE
ICEBOX SMELLING FRESH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Cleaning ; Domestic ; Household ; Housekeeping ; Icebox ; Lemon ; Scent
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
BIRTH CONTROL METHOD
IF A WOMAN PUTS A BANDAID OVER HER NAVEL SHE WON'T BECOME PREGNANT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRACEPTION ; HIDDEN CONNECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
FOLK MEDICINE FOR PIMPLES
GAYUMA-THE VERY FIRST MENSTRUAL BLOOD IS APPLIED
ON THE FACE FOR HALF AN
HOUR AND THEN WASHED OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
SUPERSTITION
CUTTING NAILS ON SUNDAY RESULTS IN BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT VIEWS CUTTING THE NAILS AS A WAY TO WARD OFF SPIRITS,
PRIMARILY EVIL SPIRITS. CUTTING THE NAILS ON SUNDAY, THE DAY
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS TO WARD OFF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LUNCHROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-14-1979
DEATH BELIEF
THERE IS A BELIER THAT AFTER ONE DEATH IN THE FAMILY, THREE MORE
DEATHS WILL FOLLOW IN THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P868 P868.1 |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
CONTACT WITH THE DEAD
IF ONE HAS A DECEASED RELATIVE, AND WOULD LIKE
ANY INFORMATION FROM THESE PEOPLE, SUCH AS IN REGARDS
TO NUMBERS, HORSES, ETC.
WRITE A LETTER, DON'T DOT ANY "I"S
AND DON'T CROSS ANY "T"S.
AND THIS PERSON WILL APPEAR TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-10-1972
RIDDLE
QUESTION: IF YOU HAD 1,000 MEN AND I HAD 1,000 MEN AND WE
WERE AT WAR, WHO WOULD WIN?
LISTENER: I GIVE UP.
ANSWER: I WIN. YOU JUST GAVE UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
HAUNTED HOUR
AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT IF YOU LOCK YOURSELF
IN A PITCH DARK ROOM CONTAINING ONLY
ONE MIRROR AND SAY TWENTY FIVE TIMES,
"I BELIEVE IN MARY FULTON," AND REALLY DO,
QUICKLY TURN ON THE LIGHTS AND YOU WILL SEE SCRATCHES
ON YOUR FACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Number P686.1.25 |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
BUTTER MAKING CHARM
COME, BUTTER, COME
COME, BUTTER, COME
PETER STANDS AT THE GATE
WAITING FOR A BUTTERED CAKE,
COME, BUTTER, COME
IF WHILE CHURNING THE BUTTER, IT DOES NOT
COME, THIS VERSE SHOULD BE SAID THREE TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
GOLD PIN
THE GREEK PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH AFRAID OF THE EVIL EYE.
A BABY MUST WEAR A GOLD PIN ON HIS GOWN
TO PROTECT HIM AGAINST THE EYE.
ONCE A CHILD HAS BEEN BEWITCHED BY THE EVIL EYE
ONLY CERTAIN WOMEN MAY RID HIM OF THE SPEEL.
THIS WOMAN SAYS CERTAIN WORDS IN GREEK.
I DO NOT KNOW THEM , BUT THEY ARE A SORT OF PRAYER.
THIS WOMAN MAY TELL WHOMEVER SHE PLEASES THE WORDS,
AND THEN THIS PERSON IS ABLE TO CAST OFF THE EVIL
EYE SPELL. NO MAN HOWEVER MAY BE TOLD
THESE SECRET WORDS. MY MOTHER IN LAW
KNOWS THEM, AND AFTER SHE REPEATS THEM SHE SPITS.
IF THE BABY BEGINS TO YAWN, THE SPELL IS GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
NEW YEAR'S
AFTER MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE EAT HERRINGS FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE
NEW YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; collector's home
Date learned: 03-10-1970
TANGLE TALK
GOOD BYE MORON: I SAT MYSELF DOWN, PENCIL IN HAND, TO
TYPEWRITE YOU A LETTER. PARDON THE INK. I DO NOT LIVE
WHERRE I LIVED BEFORE, BECAUSE I MOVED TO WHERE I DO NOW.
I AM SORRY WE ARE SO FAR TOGETHER, I WISH WE WERE CLOSER
APART. WE ARE HAVING MORE WEATHER THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR.
MY AUNT NELLIE DIES AND IS DOING FINE. HOPE YOU ARE THE SAME.
I STARTED TO FLORIDA TO SEE YOU AND I SAW A SIGN THAT SAID,
"THIS TAKES YOU TO MIAMI", SO I GOT ON THE SIGN AND SAT THERE FOR
THREE HOURS, AND THE DARN THING DIDN'T MOVE. I AM MAILING
YOU A COAT BE EXPRESS, I CUT OFF THE BUTTONS TO MAKE IT
LIGHTER. THEY ARE IN THE POCKETS. IF YOU DON'T GET THIS LETTER
LET ME KNOW AND I WILL MAIL IT TO YOU. OUR NEIGHBOR'S BABY
SWALLOWED SOME PINS BUT THEY FED IT A PIN CUSHION SO
EVERYTHING IS O.K. NOW. I WOULD SEND YOU THE SIX DOLLARS
I OWE YOU BUT I DIDN'T THINK OF IT UNTIL I SEALED THE
ENVELOPE. ENCLOSED YOU WILL FIND A PICTURE, BUT FOR FEAR
OF LOSING IT, I TOOK IT OUT. HELLO,_____________
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COMPUTER CENTER
Keyword(s): MAIL
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-11-1971