Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN A GIRL RECEIVES GIFTS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER, THE NUMBER
OF BOWS THAT SHE BREAKS ON THE GIFTS, IS THE NUMBER OF
CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE REMEMBERS THIS FROM
ALL HER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
IF YOU SWEEP UNDER A GIRL'S FEET, SHE'LL NEVER GET
MARRIED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE REMEMBERS THIS
FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN ALABAMA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): SPINSTER
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
TO GET RID OF A WART, RUB A POTATO ON IT AND THROW THE POTATO
AWAY. THE WART WILL GO AWAY WHEN THE POTATO DRIES UP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER, AND THIS WAS A PRACTICE
WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING ; TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
ALWAYS START A JOB IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK, AND
EVERYTHING WILL RUN SMOOTHER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER, AND HE USES THIS PRATICE
IN HIS WORK AS A CARPENTER. THIS IS A CUSTOM CARRIED
OVER FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
CURE FOR INFECTION
WRAP A HOT BREAD POULTICE AROUND THE INFECTED AREA TO DRAW
OUT ALL THE PUS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE CLAIMS THAT HIS
GRANDMOTHER USED TO USE THIS TREATMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
BREAKING A MIRROR WILL BRING YOU SEVEN YEARS OF BAD
LUCK UNLESS YOU TAKE THE BROKEN PIECES, PUT THEM
IN A BAG AND THROW THEM IN A SWIFT RUNNING STREAM
OF WATER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S HUSBAND BROKE A MIRROR AND GATHERED UP
THE PIECES AND THREW THEM IN THE BELLE ISLE RIVER
AND SINCE THIS WAS NOT A SWIFT MOVING STREAM, HE
DIED SEVEN YEARS LATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 12-07-1971
WHEN THREE MEN TAKE A LIGHT FROM A SINGLE MATCH,
BAD LUCK WILL COME TO THE THIRD.
Submitter comment:
BEGAN IN WORLD WAR I.
MARY HEARD IT FROM HER UNCLE, RUSS LLOYD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
CAR FOR SALE
A THUNDERBIRD WAS ON SALE FOR $500--IT WAS AFTER THE FOUR-PASSEN-
GERS CAME OUT, SO AFTER 1958. A WOMAN HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA AND
HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AFTER DRIVING HER TO THE AIRPORT. HE
ENTERED THE GARAGE WHICH OPENED WITH REMOTE CONTROL. HE DIED OF
A HEART ATTACK AND WAS LEFT IN THERE FOR EITHER THREE DAYS OR
WEEKS--I CAN'T REMEMBER. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME BACK SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR SHOCK, I GUESS. ONE OF HER NURSES (WHO
IS THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF MY DAD'S EMPLOYEES) WAS TOLD ABOUT THE
CAR. YOU REALLY COULDN'T SMELL IT UNLESS YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT IT;
BUT THEY STILL HAD TROUBLE SELLING IT. THE NURSE COULDN'T BUY IT
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIND AND HAS SUGAR DIABETES. THIS HAPPENED TWO
OR THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
IF THE STATUE OF AN ELEPHANT WITH HIS TRUNK DOWN IS
SEEN, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH ON THE LEFT SIDE
WHILE IT IS RAINING, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO
LEAVE YOUR HOUSE ALL DAY, OR ELSE YOU WILL HAVE
A STREAK OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SEEMED TO GET MORE AND MORE UPSET JUST
TELLING ME ABOUT HIS MOTHER'S BELIEFS AND HE
COMMENTED THAT HE THOUGHT ANYONE WHO BELIEVED IN
SUCH MESS WAS CRAZY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.3 |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
FLIERS COMMONLY BELIEVE THAT HAVING THEIR PICTURE
TAKEN PRIOR TO A MISSION WILL BRING THEM BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER UNCLE, RUSS FLOYD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): Photography
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P535 BELIEF -- War BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
IF YOU OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE, BAD LUCK
WILL FOLLOW.
Submitter comment: MARY HEARD IT FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
PUTTING THE LEFT SHOE ON FIRST IN THE MORNING WILL
BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID WHEN HIS HAPPENS TO HIS MOTHER,
SHE STAYS CLOSE TO HOME ALL DAY AND IS AFRAID
TO RECEIVE ANY PHONE CALLS. HE SAID THAT WHENEVER
HIS MOTHER DOES THIS, HE REALLY GETS ANGRY AND CANNOT
STAND TO BE AROUND ALL DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
Game Verse
THIS VERSE IS SAID WHILE JUMPING ROPE.
(WHILE JUMPING ON ONE FOOT YOU SAY)
DONALD DUCK IS A ONE-LEGGED, ONE-LEGGED, ONE-LEGGED DUCK.
(THEN YOU JUMP WITH BOTH FEET)
DONALD DUCK IS A TWO-LEGGED, TWO-LEGGED, TWO-LEGGED DUCK.
(NOW YOU MUST JUMP ON
BOTH FEET AND TOUCH THE GROUND WITH ONE HAND WHILE SAYING)
DONALD DUCK IS A THREE-LEGGED, THREE-LEGGED, THREE-LEGGED DUCK.
(FINALLY YOU JUMP ON BOTH FEET AND TOUCH BOTH HANDS TO THE GROUND WHILE SAYING)
DONALD DUCK IS A FOUR-LEGGED, FOUR-LEGGED, FOUR-LEGGED DUCK.
AFTER THIS VERSE THE JUMPER GOES OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ACTION RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
GAME VERSE
RIN TIN TIN SAT ON A PIN,
HOW MANY INCHES DID IT GO IN.
ONE, TWO, THREE, ETC.
THIS VERSE IS SAID WHEN JUMPING ROPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
ITALIAN HOLIDAY CUSTOM
THE FOLLOWING IS TYPICAL OF SMALL TOWNS AND CITIES IN SICILY:
EACH TOWN HAS A FAVORITE SAINT AND A SHRINE OF ADORATION IN CHURCH
WITH A STATUE OF THE SAINT. ON THE PARTICULAR DAY SET ASIDE FOR
THE SAINT, EVERYONE IN THE TOWN CELEBRATES, NOBODY WORKS ON THIS DAY.
THEY HAVE A PARADE WITH THE STATUE BORNE ON A BIER AND A RELIC OF
THE SAINT, CARRIED BY THE CLERGY, WITH A SPECIAL BLESSING FROM THE
POPE ADMINISTERED TO ALL PRESENT. AS THE STATUE AND RELIC PASSES
THE PEOPLE WILL KNEEL AND SAY THE SAINT'S SPECIAL PRAYER.
RIGHT AFTER THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN--SUCH AS
GROUPS SINGING, GROUPS DANCING, FIREWORKS, HORSE RACING WITHOUT
RIDERS, AND GYMNASTICS AND FEATS OF STRENGTH FOR PRIZES. ALL
PRIZES ARE DONATED BY TOWNSPEOPLE.
THE THEME OF THIS DAY, IN REALITY, IS LOVE OF GOD AND MAN AS
EXEMPLIFIED BY THE SAINT. ALL ANIMOSITIES SHOULD END ON THIS DAY.
ANYONE KNOWING OF ILL-FEELING AMONGST INDIVIDUALS, WILL ON THIS DAY,
BRING THE PARTIES TOGETHER AND IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE PARTIES
INVOLVED REFUSES TO MAKE UP, IT IS CONSIDERED AN INSULT TO THE
TOWN AND THE INDIVIDUAL THAT BROUGHT THE PARTIES TOGETHER.
THE CONCILIATORS ARE USUALLY THE CLERGY OR TOWN DIGNITARIES.
THESE FEAST DAYS BEGIN EARLY IN THE MORNING AND LAST TILL MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 11-30-1971
GAME VERSE
JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN,
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNY BROKE A TEAPOT,
AND BLAMED IT ON ME.
HOW MANY SPANKINGS DID HE RECEIVE,
ONE, TWO, THREE, ETC.
Submitter comment:
THE CHILDREN SAY THIS WHEN JUMPING ROPE. IT WAS LEARNED FROM OTHER
CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1965
BLUE BELLS, COCKLE SHELLS,/ EEVY, IVY, OVER/ MY FATHER IS A BUTCHER,/
MY MOTHER CUTS THE MEAT,/ AND I'M A LITTLE HOT DOG,/THAT RUNS AROUND
THE STREET./ HOW MANY HOT DOGS CAN YOU EAT? ONE , TWO, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 12-02-1965