Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BASEBALL CARDS
AS A BOY IN NEW YORK CITY, I OFTEN GAMBLED PART(S)
OF MY CARD COLLECTION BY MATCHING HEADS AND TAILS
WITH ANOTHER COLLECTOR, BY FLIPPING THE CARDS FROM
ONE'S HAND (AS ONE MIGHT THROW A SOFTBALL UNDER-
HANDEDLY) TO THE GROUND.
"DOUBLES" OR "TRIPLES" ETC. OF THE SAME CARD WERE GOOD
TO USE AS LUCKY CARDS, SO WE BELIEVED. ALSO, WE
BELIEVED THAT WEARING LONG PANTS WHILE DOING THIS
WAS UNLUCKY (PROBABLY BECAUSE THE PANT CUFFS SOMETIMES
CAUGHT ONE'S FLIPPED CARD AND CHANGED OUR PLANNED
SHOWING SIDE).
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 12-00-1971 ; 00001940-1950
BASEBALL CARDS
AS A BOY IN NEW YORK CITY, IF OFTEN GAMBLED PART(S)
OF MY EXTENSIVE CARD COLLECTION BY MATCHING "HEADS"
AND "TAILS" WITH ANOTHER COLLECTOR BY FLIPPING THE CARD
FROM ONE'S HAND (AS ONE MIGHT THROW A SOFTBALL--
UNDERHANDEDLY) TO THE GROUND.
ONE OF MORE CARDS WOULD BE WAGERED AT A TIME. I
RECALL GAMBLING UP TO 1000 CARDS IN A MATCH; THE FIRST
PLAYER "FLIPS" DOWN 1000 CARDS, AND LET'S ASSUME THAT
THEY COME OUT 995 "HEADS" (FACE UP) AND 5 "TAILS" (FACE
DOWN). THE SECOND PLAYER MUST THEN DO EXACTLY THE SAME
WITH HIS CARDS. THERE WERE MANY TIMES THAT THE MATCHER
LOST ALL 1000 CARDS ($10 FACE VALUE) ON THE LAST FLIP.
WHEN MY FAMILY MOVED TO DETROIT, I INTRODUCED THE GAME
TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS AROUND HENRY FORD HOSPITAL
(1953).
IN 1959, I SOLD THE MAJORITY OF MY COLLECTION (CARDS
FROM 1932-1959) FOR OVER $900 (OVER 30,000 CARDS)
TO A NEW JERSEY DEALER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 12-00-1971 ; 00-00-1953
THE INFORMANT AND HER SISTER VISITED A PALM-READER
JUST OUTSIDE OF CASSADAGA VALLEY, NEW YORK. THE
LADY SAID THAT ONE OF THE GIRLS WOULD SOON HAVE AN
ACCIDENT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE INFORMANT'S SISTER
WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; RUSHFORD
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer |
Date learned: 07-00-1970
SAYING--ITALIAN
MORTE DESIDERATA; VITA LUONGA.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.
THIS ITALIAN SAYING MEANS THAT IF YOU WISH SOMEONE DEATH,
HE WILL LIVE LONGER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-29-1963
SUPERSTITION
MURPHY'S LAW: IF ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG, IT WILL GO WRONG.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE WORKING AS AN ECONOMIST IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS ; WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PESSIMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
IF A FISHERMAN'S BAIT ACCIDENTALLY FALLS INTO A GLASS
OF BEER, AND HE TAKES IT OUT AND USES IT RIGHT AWAY,
HE WILL CATCH A FISH IMMEDIATELY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A CANADIAN FISHERMAN C. 1945.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
ITALIAN SUPERSTITION
DON'T THROW MONEY ON A BED OR YOU'LL LOSE IT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER WHO ONCE LIVED IN ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
POLISH SUPERSTITION
NEVER RAISE YOUR HAND TO YOUR MOTHER, FOR IF YOU DO,
THEN WHEN YOU DIE NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO SHUT THE
COFFIN TO BURY YOU; YOUR HAND WILL BE FROZEN UP IN
THAT SAME POSITION.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG GIRL IN A POLISH NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
IT'S BAD LUCK IF AN OLD LADY WALKS IN FRONT OF YOU,
ACROSS YOUR PATH. AND THE OLDER THE WOMAN, THE
WORSE THE LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
ITALIAN
IT'S BAD LUCK TO PUT A BABY'S SHOES ON THE TABLE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Furniture (bed, table, chair, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
POLISH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU'RE TOO HAPPY AT YOUR WEDDING, YOU'LL BE CRYING
ALL THE TIME AFTERWARD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG GIRL IN A POLISH NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
NEVER LET ANOTHER GIRL TRY ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING OR
YOU WILL BREAK UP WITH YOUR FIANCE.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED AT OSWEGO STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE IN NEW
YORK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Engagement ring |
Date learned: 12-23-1963
NEVER KNIT YOUR BOYFRIEND A SWEATER BEFORE YOU ARE
ENGAGED TO HIM OR YOU WILL BREAK UP.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Engagement |
SUPERSTITION
IF THE WIND IS BLOWING ON TO SHORE, IT WILL BLOW THE FISH IN;
AND IF IT'S BLOWING OFF THE LAND, IT WILL BLOW THE FISH ON
TO THE BAIT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A CANADIAN FISHERMAN IN 1945.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
HICCUP CURE
PUT TWO FINGERS DOWN YOUR THROAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
STICK YOUR TONGUE OUT;
LOOK UP AT THE SKY;
AND HOLD YOUR BREATH AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
SUPERSTITION
HOWEVER YOU FEEL ON JANUARY 1ST (HAPPY, SAD, MEAN, ETC.)
YOU'LL FEEL ALL YEAR LONG.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination |
Date learned: 12-26-1963
ITALIAN SAYING
(ITALIAN)
COMANDA E FATTELLE.
(TRANSLATION)
IF YOU WANT A THING DONE WELL, DO IT YOURSELF.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
THIS CHILD'S GAME, PLAYED IN NEW YORK, IS CALLED
"SARDINES." ONE PERSON IS "IT" AND RUNS AND HIDES
HIMSELF SOMEPLACE WHILE ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS
HIDE THEIR EYES. WHEN "IT" HAS FINISHED HIDING
HIMSELF, HE HOLLERS "SARDINES," FROM WHERE HE IS.
THE OTHER PLAYERS MUST ATTEMPT TO FIND HIM THEN,
FOLLOWING THE DIRECTION OF THE VOICE. MEANWHILE,
"IT" WILL, ON OCCASION CALL OUT "SARDINES," TO
HELP THEM ALONG A LITTLE. THE FIRST PERSON TO
DISCOVER "IT" MUST JOIN HIM IN HIS HIDING PLACE
UNTIL ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS HAVE ALSO FOUND THEM,
AT WHICH TIME THE GAME IS OVER, AND THE FIRST
PERSON TO HAVE FOUND "IT" CAN NOW BE "IT" HIMSELF.
Submitter comment: I REMEMBER PLAYING THIS GAME AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
ITALIAN SUPERSTITION
ALL NEW BORN BABIES MUST IMMEDIATELY BE GIVEN A HORN-SHAPED
PIECE OF CORAL TO FASTEN TO THEIR UNDERSHIRTS. THIS WILL PROTECT
THEM FROM EVIL SPIRITS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 12-29-1963