Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR LUCK GOES BAD, WALK AROUND THE HOUSE AND LOOK FOR A HEX SIGN
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS OF GERMAN ORIGIN, AND THINKS THE HEX
SIGN IS A CIRCLE WITH A CROSS INSIDE OF IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ; Hex ; LUCK ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
THIS IS SAID WHILE TOUCHING THE INFERRED PARTS OF THE
BODY (IN PARENTHESES) OF THE PERSON.
HI OLD TOP (PATS HEAD), GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK (TOUCHES BACK)
FROM THE FRONT (TOUCHES FRONT). IT'S BEEN TWO LONG 'EARS
(GENTLY PULLS EARS) SINCE I SEEN YA, BUT I STILL 'NOSES YA
(TOUCHES NOSE).
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS ONE OF DAD'S JOKES, ALL OF HIS CHILDREN HAD TO ENDURE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
Date learned: 00-00-1976
SUPERSTITION
A CROSS IS USED TO WARD OFF VAMPIRES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
EACH TURN OF AN APPLE STEM IS COUNTED AS A LETTER, UNTIL IT BREAKS
OFF. THE LETTER AT WHICH IT BREAKS IS THE INITIAL OF YOUR FUTURE
SPOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
RICH MAN, POOR MAN, BEGGAR MAN, THIEF, DOCTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE IS REPEATED WHILE COUNTING THE BUTTONS ON YOUR CLOTHING
TO PREDICT THE KIND OF PERSON YOU WILL MARRY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PRAYER
MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU. MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACR.
MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE, THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR
FIELDS AND UNYIL WE MEET AGAIN-MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SANTA'S FOOTPRINTS
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING THERE WERE ALWAYS SNOWY WHITE FOOTPRINTS,
FROM THE FIREPLACE LEADING TO THE TREE. BUT THE SNOW DIDN'T MELT
AND WHEN YOU TOUCHED THE FOOTPRINT, THE WHITE "SANTA-DUST" CAME
OFF ON YOUR FINGER.
LATER, MY MOTHER TOLD ME SHE MADE THE FOOTPRINTS WITH LARGE
WET GALOSHES, DIPPED IN TALCUM POWDER. IT WAS EASY TO VACUUM
UP LATER, BUT IN THE MORNING, IT WAS PURER EVIDENCE EVEN THAN
ALL THE GIFTS, THAT SANTA HAD COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
THE CHICKENS
SAID THE FIRST LITTLE CHICKEN/WITH A QUEER LITTLE SQUIRM,
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A FAT LITTLE WORM."
SAID THE NEXT LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH AN OLD LITTLE SHRUG:
"I WISH I COULD FIND,/ A FAT LITTLE BUG."
SAID A THIRD LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH A FAINT LITTLE MOAN:
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A WEE GRAVEL STONE."
"NOW SEE HERE," SAID THE MOTHER,/ FROM THE GREEN GARDEN PATCH,
"IF YOU WANT ANY BREAKFAST,/ JUST COME HERE AND ASK."
Submitter comment: DEMONSTRATE ACTIONS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CHAIN ; QUATRAIN FOOD ; RHYME: ABCB ; TALKING ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
VERSE WITHIUT MUSIC
KINDERGARTEN BABY,/ WASH YOUR FACE ON GRAVY.
THEY ARE SULKING OR ACTING LIKE A BABY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID TO SOMEONE WHEN YOU ARE SCORNING THEM BECAUSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; FUNCTION ; IMPERFECT RHYME: BABY/ GRAVY ; REBUKE ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
RELIGIOUS
THERE IS A CHURCH ON A HIGH HILL IN MALTA. THERE IS A CAVE UNDER-
NEATH THIS CHURCH. ONE DAY A GIRL WENT DOWN (INTO) THE CAVE AND
NEVER RETURNED. HER SISTER WENT TO FIND HER AND SHE NEVER
RETURNED. ALTOGETHER SEVEN SISTERS WERE LOST. THE CAVE WAS
THEN BOARDED UP BUT PEOPLE STILL VISIT THERE. NO ONE KNOWS
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GIRLS BUT MANY FEEL THEY HAVE DROWNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
MOON BELIEF
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON A FULL MOON IT WILL GROW TWICE AS LONG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SHAVED HER DAUGHTER'S HEAD WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG
BECAUSE SHE HAD A SCALP DISEASE. NOW HER DAUGHTER HAS
SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 12-07-1971
EDGE-WISE
WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH SHARP EDGES, A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
FOR EACH EDGE SO THAT THE FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE CUT.
Submitter comment:
FROM HER MOTHER
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
ONE GIRL ASKS A BOY,"MAKE ME A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH."
SO HE MADE IT. HE WAS ABOUT TO CUT IT WHEN THE GIRL SAID," DO
NOT CUT IT BECAUSE THAT WAY ALL THE FLAVOR GOES OUT."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Some BN crossed out [ P400; P500]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Flavor ; FOOD ; Peanut Butter ; Sandwich
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD ; KNIFE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Plant food Nut BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 09-26-1965
HAUNTED HOUSE
THE INFORMANT'S HUSBAND CLAIMED THAT HE LIVED IN A HAUNTED HOUSE.
IN THIS HOUSE WERE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS WHERE THE BOYS USED TO
SLEEP. ONE NIGHT, THE INFORMANT'S HUSBAND AWOKE AND SAW A LITTLE
MAN WITH A TURBAN AND A LONG RED ROBE UNROLLING A RUG. HE WOKE
HIS BROTHER AND THEY BOTH WITNESSED THE LITTLE MAN. THEY TOLD
THEIR MOTHER AND SHE WOULD NEVER ALLOW THEM TO SLEEP DOWN THERE
AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
COACH SHADA
AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE A
PORTRAIT OF THE LATE COACH JOHN SHADA, WHO PUT THE SCHOOL IN THE
TOP OF ITS DIVISION FOR MANY YEARS, IS ACROSS FROM THE TROPHY
CASE. THE PASTOR TELLS PEOPLE IT IS THERE "SO JOHN CAN
WATCH HIS TROPHIES."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Schusterbaurr
Keyword(s): Coach ; DEATH ; Legend ; Trophy
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CONTRACEPTION
CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD: COMPOSED OF GROUND GINGER, WHICH YOU MUST GRIND
YOURSELF, AND VASELINE RUBBED GENEROUSLY WITHIN THE WOMAN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE WHO HEARD THIS FROM ONE OF HER PATIENTS. THE PATIENT WAS FROM ALABAMA AND NOW LIVED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HEARTBURN IN PREGNANCY
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN GETS HEARTBURN, HER CHILD WILL BE BORN
WITH A LOT OF HAIR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE HEARD THIS WHEN SHE
WAS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001971 (SPRING)
HOLY COMMUNION
WHEN I WAS AROUND EIGHT YEARS OLD, I BELIEVED IF I CHEWED THE HOST,
MY TEETH WOULD ROT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BOTTOMS UP.
HORSE SHOES SHOULD BE HUNG OPEN END UP SO THAT
ALL THE GOOD LUCK WONT FLOW OUT OF THEM.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER FATHER BOB DEVLEIG
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
NUMBER OF CHILDREN GIRL WILL HAVE
WHEN A GIRL RECEIVES GIFTS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF
BOWS THAT SHE BREAKS WILL BE 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: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-00-1971