Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION
IF A BIRD FLIES THROUGH YOUR WINDOW, SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THEIR NEIGHBOR'S PARAKEET FLEW THROUGH THEIR
PATIO DOOR ONE SUMMER AND THAT THE NEXT DAY THEIR DOG WAS HIT BY
A CAR AND DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR DRESS TAIL IS TURNED UP, IT MEANS THAT YOU WILL GET A NEW
DRESS SOON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT EVERYTIME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HER SHE GOT A
NEW DRESS OR SOME CLOTHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 6, THE PARISH PRIESTS USED TO COME TO THE HOUSES OF THE
FAITHFUL AND BLESS THEM AND WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE
MEN IN CHALK ON ALL THE DOORS TO DRIVE ALL EVIL OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD, LIVING
WITH HER FAMILY IN WARSAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM
TO CHASE BUGS AND EVIL SPIRITS FROM YOUR HOME, MARK THE EDGES OF THE
DOORS AND WINDOWS WITH CHALK WHICH HAS BEEN BLESSED ON JANUARY 6.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER HUSBAND, MANY
YEARS BEFORE HIS DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
AGNUS DEI
AFTER THE EASTER LAMB CAKE IS MADE AND DECORATED, IT IS TAKEN TO THE
CHURCH ON EASTER MORNING TO BE BLESSED BY THE PRIEST FOLLOWING THE
MASS. THIS LAMB CAKE, BEARING A TINY SILK BANNER WITH A CROSS ON
IT, REPRESENTS CHRIST, THE VICTORIOUS LAMB OF GOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY GRANDMOTHER. THIS IS A VERY POPULAR POLISH CUSTOM, WHICH IS EVEN OBSERVED IN MANY POLISH PARISHES IN THIS COUNTRY. MY GRANDMOTHER HAS KNOWN THIS CUSTOM ALL HER LIFE.
Data entry tech comment:
AGNUS DEI MEANS "THE LAMB OF GOD" WHEN TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Grandmother
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
AN OLD POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
ONE EASTER EGG IS CUT SO THAT EACH FAMILY MEMBER WILL HAVE ONE PIECE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYBODY'S EATING PART OF THE ONE EGG IS THE
LESSON OF ONENESS AND FAMILY UNITY. THIS CUSTOM IS USUALLY OBSERVED
JUST BEFORE THE BREAKFAST MEAL ON EASTER SUNDAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS CUSTOM AS A LITTLE GIRL SINCE HER FAMILY
HAD ALWAYS OBSERVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
NOTHING VENTURE, (SIC) NOTHING GAINED
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-18-1967
PROVERB IN VERSE
NOTHING IS HARDER TO TAKE THAN A TIME OF OVERABUNDANCE (IN THE
SENSE THAT WEALTH CAN RUIN THE CHARACTER OF A HUMAN BEING)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN MUNICH, GERMANY
THIS IS SIMILAR TO AN ENGLISH SAYING THAT I HAVE HEARD
OFTEN IN FERNDALE MICHIGAN. MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS GERMAN TEXT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD FORTUNE ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
CHURCH
WHEN NAPOLEON CAME TO INVADE MALTA OF ITS CHURCHES' RICHES, A
SACRISTAN OF ST. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL PAINTED THE SOLID SILVER DOOR
BLACK. NAPOLEON WAS FOOLED AND JUST RECENTLY THE BLACK PAINT
HAS BEGUN TO CHIP OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
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
Entry filtered.
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
NEVER CROSS A BRIDGE BEFORE YOU GET TO IT
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN FERNDALE MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; MAKING DECISIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
WEATHER PROVERB
ABENDROT SCHON WETTERBOT.
TRANSLATION: THE EVENING SUN (IF CLEAR AND RED) INDICATES GOOD
WEATHER TOMORROW.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; RHYME ; SYMBOL ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
TELEPHONE JOKE
UPON ANSWERING THE TELEPHONE:
A CALL IS MADE TO A GROCERY STORE. WHEN THE CLERK ANSWERS
HE HEARS, "DO YOU HAVE POP IN THE BOTTLE?" TO HIS
ANSWER, "YES!" HE RECEIVES, "YOU'D BETTER LET HIM OUT.
MOM WANTS HIM."
"SO AND SO'S PLUMBING COMPANY, WHICH DRIP DO YOU WANT.
Submitter comment: SCHOOL DAY TELEPHONE PRANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1953
PREGNANCY BELIEF
INFORMANT HAS REPEATEDLY HEARD THAT BATHING IN PREGNANCY CAUSES THE
BABY TO DROWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CONTRACEPTION BELIEF
ONE OF THE INFORMANT'S PATIENTS, A POOR SOUTHERN BLACK WOMAN,
LIVING NOW IN THE INNER CITY OF DETROIT, TOLD HER OF A
CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD COMPOSED OF GROUND GINGER WHICH YOU MUST GRIND
YOURSELF, AND VASELINE RUBBED GENEROUSLY WITHIN THE WOMAN.
Submitter comment:
SHE WAS FROM ALABAMA AND ALREADY HAD SIX CHILDREN.
INFORMANT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREGNANCY BELIEF
INFORMANT HAS BEEN TOLD SEVERAL TIMES BY HER PATIENTS, MOSTLY
POOR BLACK GHETTO RESIDENTS, THAT A BABY WILL LOOK
LIKE THE PERSON THE PREGNANT WOMAN HATES THE MOST. A POSSIBLE
PARTIAL EXPLANATION OF THIS IS THE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF DESERTED MOTHERS,
HATING THE LOST FATHER, OR LOVERS, SEE A RESEMBLANCE IN THE CHILD TO THE FATHER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREGNANCY BELIEF
INFORMANT HAS HEARD REPEATEDLY FROM HER PATIENTS, POOR BLACK
WOMEN, THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN MUST NOT RAISE HER HANDS ABOVE HER
HEAD OR SHE WILL STRANGLE HER UNBORN BABY.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS, OF COURSE, NO MEDICAL TRUTH IN THIS, BUT IT IS WIDELY
BELIEVED.
INFORMANT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Proverb
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Submitter comment:
From - Uncertain
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; MONEY ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |