Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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EVERY APRIL 24TH, WE CELEBRATE SAINT GEORGE'S DAY IN GREECE.
SAINT GEORGE IS ONE OF THE PATRON SAINTS OF GREECE. ON THIS
DAY, WE CELEBRATE HIS DESTROYING THE DRAGON. SAINT GEORGE
WAS ORIGINALLY AN ARCHANGEL, THIS IS ONE OF GOD'S CHIEF ANGELS.
THE DRAGON REPRESENTS THE EVILNESS OF SATAN; SO TO COMMEMORATE
THIS EVENT, THE OLDEST MALE CHILD OF EACH TOWN OR VILLAGE
IS DRESSED IN LIGHT CHAIN MAIL, AND ARMED WITH A FAKE SWORD.
AN ADULT FROM THE VILLAGE, NORMALLY THE MAYOR, IS DRESSED AS
THE DRAGON. THEY RE-ENACT THE FIGHT THAT OCCURRED, WITH SAINT
GEORGE WINNING. THIS PERFORMANCE IS FOLLOWED BY A HUGE
FEAST, WHICH THE WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE PREPARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Religious DRAMA -- Secular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 24 |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
GINGER WATER IS GIVEN TO CHILDREN ON HOT DAYS. IT DOES NOT GIVE
THEM CRAMPS IF THEY RUN AND PLAY. YOU NEED A PITCHER OF ICE COLD
WATER; THIS IS YOUR BASE. INTO THE WATER YOU ADD THREE TABLESPOONS
OF SUGAR, ONE FOURTH OF A CUP OF BROWN SUGAR, TWO TABLESPOONS OF
CRUSHED GINGER, TWO SQUEEZES OF LEMON JUICE, AND SIX MEDIUM ICE
CUBES. STIR THIS SLOWLY, CHILL AND SERVE. IT SEEMS TO SWEETLY
WARM UP A CHILD'S STOMACH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- N412 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
TO SPILL YOUR COFFEE
AS A CHILD, I LEARNED TO DRINK COFFEE WITH MY
ELDERS. IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE IN GREECE, IT IS A SIGN
OF MATURITY. I WAS GIVEN A CUP OF EXPRESSO, WHEN TRYING
TO PLACE IT GENTLY ON MY LAP, I ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED SOME.
I BEGAN TO CRY, FOR I NOW THOUGHT THAT I WOULD NO
LONGER BE ABLE TO DRINK COFFEE WITH MY PARENTS. MY
MOTHER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT TO SPILL COFFEE IS A
SIGN OF GOOD FORTUNE. IT MEANS THAT MONEY WOULD COME MY
WAY. SURE ENOUGH, I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM MY GRANDMOTHER
FOR A JOB THAT I HAD DONE FOR HER. TO THIS DAY I STILL
BELIEVE THIS.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER HAS MANY SUCH STORIES AND BELIEFS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1955 ; 00-00-1974
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS, PUT HAY ON A TABLECLOTH. IN THE MIDDLE PUT THE
CHRISTMAS WAFERS. EVERYONE MAKES A WISH THEN. AFTER THE MEAL
THE DOG IS GIVEN WHATEVER IS LEFT OVER FROM THE MEAL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED THIS AROUND 1910 IN POLAND. NO REASON
WAS OFFERED AS TO WHY THIS CUSTOM WAS DONE. THE MENTION OF A WISH
COULD LEAD TO SPECULATION ABOUT LUCK OR PREDICTION. ALSO, WHAT
HAPPENS IF THE HOUSEHOLD DOES NOT HAVE A DOG?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- P122 BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
DEATH SUPERSTITION
IF A PICTURE FALLS AND NO ONE PICKS IT UP OR TOUCHES IT, THEN
THERE IS GOING TO BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS IN POLAND AROUND 1910. FALLING
PICTURES ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH DEATH. HOWEVER, THIS ADDS THE
STIPULATION THAT IF THEY ARE NOT TOUCHED, DEATH RESULTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
DEATH SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU HEAR KNOCKING AT NIGHT, SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE. THE
INFORMANT HEARD KNOCKING ON TWO NIGHTS AND THE DEATH OF TWO
RELATIVES FOLLOWED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS DEATH PREDICTOR IN POLAND AROUND 1910.
SINCE SHE CLAIMS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HER, SHE HELD A GREAT
CONVICTION TO ITS TRUTH. KNOCKING IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH
COMMUNICATION FROM THE DEACEASED. PERHAPS, THE DEAD WILL WARN OF
AN UPCOMING DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Observation BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
DEATH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU GO TO COMMUNION ON NINE FRIDAYS IN A ROW, THEN YOU WILL
HAVE A HAPPY DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS AROUND 1910 IN POLAND. SHE IS VERY
RELIGIOUS AND PLACED HIGH REGARD ON THIS CUSTOM. PERHAPS NINE IS
A LUCKY NUMBER AND ACTS AS A MEDIUM FOR A GOOD DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
PRAY TO SAINT ANTHONY FOR LOST THINGS.
PRAY TO SAINT JUDE FOR A HOPELESS CAUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THESE PRAYER RITUALS IN POLAND AROUND 1910.
THE COLLECTOR HAS ALSO HEARD OF PRAYING TO PARTICULAR SAINTS FOR A
SPECIAL PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
SUPERSTITION
THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY WOULD PUT A CRADLE, FULL OF STRAW, IN A TREE,
HOPEFULLY, A STORK WOULD MAKE ITS NEST THERE. WHEN THE STORK
THROWS ONE OF HER BABIES OUT OF THE NEST, THIS MEANS THAT THERE
WILL BE A BAD SUMMER.
Submitter comment:
THIS WEATHER PREDICTOR WAS FIRST HEARD BY THE INFORMANT AROUND 1910
IN POLAND. A STORK, CRADLE AND GOOD SUMMER ALL SYMBOLIZE LIFE.
THIS IS HINDERED BY A BIRD FALLING FROM THE CRADLE (DEATH) CAUSING
A BREAK IN THE LINK (A BAD SUMMER).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Measure of time Summer BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
WEATHER SUPERSTITION
IF YOU CAN SEE THE STARS AT NIGHT, IT WILL BE A SUNNY DAY TOMORROW.
BUT, IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE STARS, IT WILL RAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS WEATHER PREDICTOR IN POLAND AROUND
1910. TO THE COLLECTOR, IT SEEMS COMMON SENSE, SINCE IF YOU CAN
SEE THE STARS, THEN THERE ARE NO CLOUDS. IF THERE ARE NO CLOUDS
NO RAIN CAN BE PRODUCED. HOWEVER, THE INFORMANT HAD A VERY
STRONG CONVICTION THAT THIS THEORY WAS INFALLIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
A SURE CURE FOR WARTS INVOLVES THE USE OF LEAVES FROM A WEEPING
WILLOW TREE. THE INFLICTED PERSON RUBS THE LEAVES OVER THE WART IN
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. THEN THEY BURY THEM.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS REMEDY AROUND THE YEAR 1910 IN
POLAND. IT IS A PLUGGING CURE IN WHICH THE OBJECT USED TO CURE
THE WARTS IS BURIED IN THE GROUND. A HIGH DEGREE OF BELIEF WAS
PORTRAYED WHEN SHE DISPLAYED HER HANDS TO THE COLLECTOR. WHERE
THERE USED TO BE WARTS, THERE WERE NONE PRESENT. THE INFORMANT
DID NOT INDICATE WHETHER A TRANSFER OCCURRED FROM THE HAND TO THE
LEAF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
TO THINK IS TO BE HAPPY. TO FEEL IS TO SUFFER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
SPEECH IS OF SILVER, BUT SILENCE IS OF GOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
JUMP ROPE RIME
NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR
ASKED THEM WHAT THEY WANTED
THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID:
SPANISH DANCER DO THE TWIST
SPANISH DANCER TWIRL LIKE THIS
AS I RAN OUT--THEY RAN IN.
HIT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN IN ALASKA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
JUMP ROPE RIME
------AND------SITTING IN A TREE
K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
FISRT COMES LOVE.
THEN COMES MARRIAGE
THEN COMES------WITH A BABY CARRIAGE
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYMATES IN NEW YORK CITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-30-1967
ROPE JUMPING RIME
MARGIE HAD A BABY, NAMED HIM TINY TIM
PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB TO TEACH HIM HOW TO SWIM.
HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER, HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP.
MARGIE CALLED THE DOCTOR, MARGIE CALLED THE NURSE, MARGIE CALLED
THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
IN CAME THE DOCTOR, IN CAME THE NURSE, IN CAME THE LADY WITH THE
ALLIGATOR PURSE.
DEAD SAID THE DOCTOR, DEAD SAID THE NURSE, DEAD SAID THE LADY WITH
THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
OUT WENT THE DOCTOR, OUT WENT THE NURSE, OUT WENT THE LADY WITH THE
ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYMATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-30-1967
JUMP ROPE RIME
SAILOR GIRL, SAILOR GIRL, DRESSED IN BLUE
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
SALUTE TO THE CAPTAIN
CURTESY (COURTSY?) TO THE QUEEN
TURN MY BACK TO THE DIRTY MARINE}
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYMATES.
BUFFALO, N.Y.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
ROPE JUMPING RIME
LITTLE SUZIE SAUCER
SITTING IN A SAUCER
WEEPING AND CRYING
BECAUSE HER MOTHER'S DYING
RISE SUZIE RISE
WIPE YOUR EYES
POINT TO THE EAST,
POINT TO THE WEST
POINT TO THE ONE YOU LOVE THE BEST.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ON THE PLAYGROUND IN CLEVELAND, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
ROPE JUMP RIME
MABLE, MABLE, SET THE TABLE
DON'T FORGET THE RED HOT PEPPER!
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; SPEED-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
ROPE JUMPING RIME
MARGIE DRANK SOME MARMALADE
MARGIE DRANK SOME BEER
MARGIE DRANK SOME OTHER STUFF THAT MADE HER FEEL SO QUEER.
OOPSIE WENT THE MARMALADE, OOPSIE WENT THE BEER,
OOPSIE WENT THE OTHER STUFF THAT MADE HER FEEL SO QUEER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYMATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967