Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHARM
SALT IS A GOOD GENERAL DEFENSE AGAINST WITCH CRAFT
AND SORCERY. PUTTING A FEW GRAINS IN YOUR
FOOD WILL PREVENT IT FROM BEING USED AS A MEDIUM
FOR BEWITCHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
TALKING IS SILVER, BUT SILENCE IS GOLD.
REDEN IST SILBER
SCHWEIGEN IST GOLD. {GERMAN}
Submitter comment:
(LIKE ENGLISH SAYING, "SAYING IS GOLDEN." ) {????}
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A YOUNG PERSON IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
WEATHER PROVERB
A SWALLOW DOES NOT MAKE A SUMMER.
EINE SCHWALBE MACHT NOCH LANGE KEINEN SOMMER. {GERMAN}
Submitter comment:
IN THE SENSE THAT WE SAY A ROBIN IS A SIGN OF SPRING,
BUT THE WEATHER MAY NOT ALWAYS REMAIN SPRINGLIKE AFTER
WE SEE THE FIRST ROBIN.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
WEATHER PROVERB
A SUMMER FOG WILL ROAST A HOG;
A WINTER FOG WILL FREEZE A DOG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD WHILE LIVING IN THE
THUMB DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-17-1967
SAVE IN TIME, SO YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING WHEN
IN NEED.
SPARE BEZEITEN, SO HAST DU IN DER NOT. {GERMAN}
Submitter comment:
VARIANT OF ENGLISH SAYING "SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY."
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
I HEARD THE VARIANT AS A CHILD IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
RETORT
SLOW AS A SNAIL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN FERNDALE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
SHARED REMEMBRANCES LIVE ON
LONG AFTER YOUTH HAS COME AND GONE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN NORWALK, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
PROVERB
TRANSLATION: A LONG THREAD, A LAZY GIRL.--(IN THE SENSE
THAT IF YOU TAKE A LONG PIECE OF THREAD TO THREAD THE
NEEDLE, YOU ARE NOT AN AMBITIOUS SEAMSTRESS; SINCE A
LONG THREAD EASILY KNOTS AND KEEPS YOU FROM SEWING QUICKLY.)
LANGES FAEDCHEN, FAULES MAEDCHEN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
PROVERB
TRANSLATION: LIES HAVE SHORT LEGS. (IN THE SENSE THAT
THEY ARE QUICKLY DISCOVERED)
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN FERNDALE, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-27-1967
PROVERB
MARRIAGE ISN'T A WORD, IT'S A SENTENCE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HE HAS REPEATED THIS OFTEN TO VARIOUS FRIENDS
CLAIMS IT IS HIS OWN IDEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): PESSIMISM ; PUN ON SENTENCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
BELIEF
THE MILLS OF GOD GRIND VERY SLOWLY, BUT VERY FINE.
TRANSLATION OF:
GOTTES MUEHLEN MALEN LANGSAM, ABER TREFFLICH FEIN.
Submitter comment:
IN THE SENSE THAT GOD'S PATIENCE IS ENDURING, BUT THERE WILL BE
A DAY OF RECKONING.
INFORMANT SAID THIS IS A VERY OLD GERMAN SAYING AND BELIEF
SHE HEARD OFTEN WHEN LIVING IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; FERNDALE ; REGENSBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): GERMAN OBSERVATION ; GERMAN WARNING ; PROPHECY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
PROVERB
MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; FERNDALE ; Norwalk
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; WARNING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
PROVERB
MOST PEOPLE NEVER PLAN TO FAIL,
THEY JUST FAIL TO PLAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
RETORT
IT'S FAR OFF WHAT GOD SENDS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER IRISH GRANDMOTHER
WHEN LIVING IN NORWALK, OHIO.
{MEANING} IN THE SENSE THAT GOD IS ALWAYS WATCHING OVER
US; HELP OFTEN COMES TO US THROUGH THE KIND DEEDS OF
OTHERS AND AT THE MOST OPPORTUNE TIME. E.G. A PERSON IS
WITHOUT BREAD AND UNEXPECTEDLY A NEIGHBOR BRINGS IN A
FRESHLY BAKED LOAF OF BREAD. THIS PERSON WOULD HAVE
SAID, "IT'S FAR OFF WHAT GOD SENDS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUTH TO MAKE MISTAKES.
Submitter comment:
{GERMAN TRANSLATION:} JUGEND HAT KEINE TUGEND.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
KISSING
INFORMANT LEARNED FROM THE NUNS AT ST. JAMES GRADE
SCHOOL IN FERNDALE {MICHIGAN} (ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO)
THAT KISSING WAS NOT SINFUL IF IT COULD PASS THE
DOORKNOB TEST. IF YOU COULD KISS A DOORKNOB AND
HAVE THE SAME REACTION WHEN YOU KISSED A BOY, THE
EXPERIENCE WAS INNOCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KISSING
INFORMANT LEARNED FROM THE NUNS AT ST. JAMES GRADE
SCHOOL IN FERNDALE {MICHIGAN} (ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO)
THAT KISSING WAS NOT SINFUL IF IT COULD PASS THE
DOORKNOB TEST. IF YOU COULD KISS A DOORKNOB AND
HAVE THE SAME REACTION WHEN YOU KISSED A BOY, THE
EXPERIENCE WAS INNOCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF ANYTHING SCARES YOU, SIMPLY DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND
YOURSELF WITH CHALK WHICH THE PRIEST HAS BLESSED
ON JANUARY 6, AND THE DEVIL CAN'T HURT YOU..
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER
PRESENT HUSBAND, WHO, IN TURN, HAD LEARNED IT FROM
HIS FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
A STEP ON A CRACK BREAKS YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD IN NORWALK, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; FERNDALE ; Norwalk
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-16-1967