Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION
IT WAS TOLD BY MY GREAT AUNT THAT IF ONE DID NOT PUT
OU ON THE KITCHEN TABLE MILK AND
COOKIES FOR ST. JOACHIM, ONE WOULD SUFFER BAD LUCK AND FATAL ILLNESS
FOR TEN YEARS.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IT WAS TOLD BY MY GRANDMOTHER THAT IF ONE DID NOT SAY THE ROSARY ON
THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION
OF THEBLESSED VIRGIN MARY, ONE WOULD NEVER
RECEIVE GOD'S BLESSINGS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IT WAS BELIEVED BY MY GREAT AUNT
THAT IF ONE DID NOT RECITE THE LITANY OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ON ALL HER FEASTDAYS, ONE WOULD NEVER SEE HEAVEN
AND ONE WOULD HAVE DISEASES OF THE FEET FOR THE REST OF ONE,S LIFE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1979
NAMING OF A BUILDING
RENAISSANCE CENTER MEANS THE REBIRTH OF A NEW CITY (DETROIT).
Submitter comment:
CITY OF DETROIT WAS DEAD, THE RENISSANCE CENTER WAS BUILT TO
BRING MORE PEOPLE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF DETROIT, SO FAR IT HAS
WORKED OUT PRETTY WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CITY NEWSPAPER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE GERMANS HANG A WREATH OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND HANG MISTLETOE
OVER THE DOOR ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE DURING THE CHRISTMAS
SEASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-14-1968
TO DETERMINE SEX OF UNBORN CHILD TAKE AN ERASER AND STICK
A COMMON PIN INTO IT. TIE A STRING TO PIN AND HAVE
A WEIGHTED OBJECT TIED TO OTHER END. THE WAY THE
PENDULUM SWINGS, UP AND DOWN OR RIGHT AND LEFT OVER THE
PREGNANT WOMAN'S STOMACH DETERMINES WHETHER THE BABY WOULD
BE A BOY OR GIRL.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMER DOESN'T KNOW WHICH WAY DETERMINES WHAT SEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; OFFICE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
When traveling on the highway put garlic cloves in your bosom for a safe trip.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY EATS
SMOKED HERRING FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-26-1971
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE OWL
AN OWL AFTER A RECENT OPERATION, WAS QUOTED AS SAYING:
'SINCE THEN I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HOOT WORTH A SHIT,
OR SHIT WORTH A HOOT!'
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ON A WALL OF THE MEN'S JOHN AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF DETROIT LIBRARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LAVATORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
GRAFFITI
SMILE: YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA
Data entry tech comment: THIS SAYING THRIVES FROM A TV SHOW PRODUCED BY ALAN FUNT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): TELEVISION SHOWS RETORT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
BELIEF CONCERNING CHRISTMAS
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU ARE SPANKED ON CHRISTMAS EVE, YOU WILL BE
SPANKED ALL YEAR LONG. I GUESS WE WERE TOLD THIS TO BE EXTRA GOOD
ALL DAY LONG IN PREPARATION FOR CHRIST'S BIRTH, AND ALSO SO AS TO
STAY OUT OF THE BUSY MOTHERS' WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SUPERSTITION
CROSSED FINGERS ON EACH HAND RESULTS IN BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REASONS THAT SINCE CROSSING TWO FINGERS ON ONE
HAND RESULTS IN GOOD LUCK, DOING THIS WITH ANOTHER HAND MUST
RESULT IN BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITES CONTRAIETY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-12-1979
THE GREEK CURE FOR DIARRHEA:
BOIL RICE AND PLACE IN BOWLWITH JUICE FROM ONE LEMON.
IF THE PATIENT EATS THE RICE WITH LEMON FOR ONE DAY,
HE WILL BE CURED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SENT ALL TO ME ON REQUEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-19-1971
IF A MAN TELLS YOU HE SAW A WHITE CROW , DON T ARGUE WITH HIM.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
IF BEES STAY AT HOME
RAINS WILL SOON COME.
IF THEY FLY AWAY
FINE WILL BE THE DAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREDICTING WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.880 |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
WEATHER BELIEF
IF IT RAINS FROM THE EAST, IT WILL RAIN FOR THREE DAYS
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 03-23-1972
IF THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1965