Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF SOMEONE ASKS FOR YOUR HANDERCHIEF, MAKE SURE
YOU GET IT BACK OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): BORROW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
HOLY COMMUNION
WHEN I WAS 8 I BELIEVED IF I CHEWED THE HOST, MY TEETH WOULD ROT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATIC ; SYMBOLISM UNKNOWN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
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
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
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.'
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): KNIFE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Plant food Nut BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 09-26-1965
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
BELIEF
ONE GIRL ASKED A BOY TO MAKE HER A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH.
HE MADE IT, BUT SHE SAID NOT TO CUT IT, LEST THE FLAVOR GO OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
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
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.
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
THE WAY TO GET RID OF AN EAR ACHE, IS TO GET A BETSY BUG, WHICH
ONLY HAS TWO DROPS OF BLOOD IN IT, PULL HIS HEAD OFF WHILE STANDING
OVER THE PERSON WITH THE EAR ACHE, AND LET THE TWO DROPS OF BLOOD
FALL IN THE INFECTED EAR. THE EAR ACHE WILL DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS FOR HER EAR ACHE WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
HER MOTHER WOULD GET UP EARLY EVERY MORNING FOR THREE MORNINGS
AND CRAWL UNDER THE HOUSE AND DIG UNTIL SHE FOUND A BETSY BUG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 12-07-1971
MORTAL SINS--SHOCK THEATRE
AT HOLY NAME GRADE SCHOOL IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, ONE OF THE NUNS
USED TO TELL THE KIDS THAT WATCHING 'SHOCK THEATER' (A WEEKLY SHOW
WHICH PRESENTED HORROR MOVIES) WAS A MORTAL SIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P439 BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
Entry filtered.
TO MAKE YOUR HAIR GROW, YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR HAIR IN THE FIRST
RAIN IN MAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
TATTOOS
33 5 X 8 CARDS OF TATTOOS AND INSTRUMENTS
Submitter comment:
INDICATE ON THE CARD IF IT IS NOT STANDARD. HE SAID THAT ABOUT A
THIRD OF HIS CUSTOMERS BRING IN THEIR OWN DESIGNS. HE HAD LITTLE
INFORMATION TO GIVE ON INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS. HE FOUND NO PREFERENCES
DETERMINED BY SEX. HOWEVER, HE DID FIND THAT PEOPLE OF CERTAIN
OCCUPATIONS MADE SIMILAR CHOICES.
SOME OF HIS DESIGNS SEEMED OUTDATED BUT HE COULD NOT INDICATE ANY
THAT HE HAD NOT DONE RECENTLY. HE WAS PRETTY VAGUE IN THE WHOLE AREA
OF SPECIFIC DESIGNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 11-26-1973
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES, YOU''LL MEET A NEW FRIEND.
IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES, YOU'LL COME INTO MONEY.
IF YOUR RIGHT FOOT ITCHES, YOU'LL SOON TRAVEL.
IF YOUR LEFT FOOT ITCHES, A STRANGER'S COMING.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
IF YOU BREAK A MIRROR, YOU WILL HAVE NINE YEARS
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS FREQUENTLY AS A CHILD IN FERNDALE,
MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine Observation BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.14 |
DROP A SPOON, AND COMPANY IS COMING.
DROP A KNIFE AND A FIGHT'S A COMIN'
Submitter comment: FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
IF A BIRD FLIES INTO THE HOUSE, SOMEONE CLOSE
WILL DIE.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
A DOG HOWLING AT NIGHT, HOWLS BECAUSE SOMEONE
HAS JUST DIED.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 12-04-1965