Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN TO PLANT
FARMERS SAY NEVER PUT SEED (IN) WHEN THE MOON GETS
LESS, BUT WHEN IT GETS MORE. YOU PLANT AND GET MORE,
BIGGER FRUIT.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME IN MY HOME BY MY NEIGHBOR, WHO WAS BORN
AND RAISED IN RURAL GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
CERAMIC PRESENTS FOR GRANDMA
WHEN MY GRANDPARENTS LIVED IN TOLEDO, OUR FAMILY USED TO MAKE
ABOUT FIVE TO TEN TRIPS DOWN THERE EVERY YEAR FROM DETROIT,
AND IT WAS SORT OF AN "UNWRITTEN LAW" THAT WE WOULD STOP AT THE
OHIO CHINA COMPANY NEAR THE TOLEDO CITY LIMITS AND BUY SOME SMALL
CERAMIC FIGURE FOR MY GRANDMOTHER. SHE COLLECTED THESE FIGURES,
SUCH AS ANIMALS AND STATUES, AS A HOBBY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Superstition: Baseball
THERE HAS BEEN A PREVAILING BELIEF AMONG THE VARIOUS
BASEBALL BROADCASTERS THAT I HAVE HEARD OVER THE
YEARS, IN THE BAD LUCK OF MENTIONING THE FACT THAT A
PITCHER IS WORKING ON A NO HIT GAME. IF ONE MENTIONS
THE IMPENDING NO-HITTER, THE SUPERSTITION GOES, THE
NO-HITTER WILL NOT CONTINUE FOR THE PITCHER WILL HAVE
BEEN JINXED BY THE MENTIONING OF HIS NEARLY COMPLETE
ACHIEVEMENT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 11-23-1970
ENGLISH FOLK SONG
PAT MAY BE FOOLISH,
AND VERY OFTEN WRONG;
PAT HAS GOT A TEMPER,
THAT DON,T LAST VERY LONG.
PAT IS FOND OF JOLITY
THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS.
THERE NEVER WAS A COWARD
WHERE THE SHAMROCK GROWS.
Submitter comment:
IT'S ABOUT THE IRISH-NOT NECESSARILY ADMIRATION.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): IRELAND ; Irish ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
Entry filtered.
SUPERSTITION
WHEN AN ARAB ENCOUNTERS A SANDSTORM , HE FANCIES THAT HE
HAS MET WITH A JINN OR DEMON & AT ONCE CRIES OUT "IRON! IRON!"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME BY RABBI HALPERN
AND IS STILL DONE TODAY AT TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Word Letter X570 |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BELIEF
WHEN ONE'S RIGHT EYELID TWITCHES, MANY BELIEVE HE WILL SOON
RECEIVE GOOD NEWS. HOWEVER IF IT IS THE LEFT EYELID, BAD
NEWS IS BELIEVED TO FOLLOW.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-01-1970
USE OF ZODIAC CALENDAR FOR CASTRATION
WHEN WE WOULD BUTCHER THE HOGS IN FALL, WE WOULD USE THE
ZODIAC CALENDAR. WE DIDN'T LIKE TO CASTRATE ANIMALS
UNLESS THE ZODIAC SIGN WAS IN THE FEET ON THE CHART.
IF THE SIGN WAS IN THE PROPER PLACE, THE ANIMAL WOULDN'T
BLEED AS MUCH IF CASTRATED AT THE WRONG TIME IN THE
ZODIAC CALENDAR.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
IT IS BAD LUCK IF MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE LIGHT A CIGARETTE
FROM THE SAME MATCH.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS AN OLD WORLD WAR II SUPERSTITION. ONLY TWO
MEN IN A TRENCH COULD LIGHT THEIR CIGARETTES FROM THE
SAME MATCH. THE MEN BELIEVED THAT WHEN THE ENEMY SAW
THE MATCH LIT, THEY WERE GETTING READY TO SHOOT; BY
THE TIME THE MATCH PASSED TO THE SECOND PARTY, THE
ENEMY WAS AIMING; THE NEXT STEP WAS THE FIRING, SO
THE MEN AVOIDED PASSING THE MATCH TO A THIRD PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 01-19-1970
IF YOU DON'T PAY FOR SHOES RIGHT AWAY, THEY WILL
SQUEAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
IN MONTMORENCY COUNTY, S SHIVAREE BEGAN WITH RINGING
BELLS. MY MOTHER'S BIG BELL WAS USED OFTEN. THE
NEWLYWEDS WERE GIVEN A LITTLE NOTICE, AND THEY
WERE TO HAVE FOOD OR DRINKS READY FOR THE SHIVAREE
CROWD.
SOMETIMES, A COUPLE HAD TO GET MARRIED, OR THEY
WEREN'T WELL LIKED, AND THESE DIDN'T GET A SHIVAREE.
IF YOU DIDN'T GET SHIVAREED, IT WAS A SIGN OF BAD
LUCK ON THE MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.1341 |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
SUPERSTITION
ANCIEMT GERMANS WERE LOATHE TO EMBARK ON ANY NEW ENTERPRISE WHEN
THE MOON WAS INVISIBLE
Submitter comment: THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME BY RABBI HALPERN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
ACT ENTHUSIASTIC (SIC) AND YOU'LL BE ENTHUSIASTIC.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND SAYS IT MEANS THAT EVEN
THOUGH YOU'RE NOT ENTHUSED ABOUT SOMETHING ACT AS THOUGH YOU ARE
AND EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BE ENTHUSED. INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS TO BE
TRUE.
Data entry tech comment: KEYPUNCHER BELIEVES THIS TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ATTITUDE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
REMEDY
FOR FEVER-USE PEPPERMINT LEAVES FRESH OR IF NOT IN SEASON, USE
DRIED, WITH BORAJA AND TOMARINDO (THEY TASTE AND SMELL LIKE LEMON,
IN THE FORM OF STICKS.). ADD CINNAMON. BOIL TOGETHER ABOUT 15 MINUTES
THEN STRAIN AND DRINK HOT. MAYBE YOU MIGHT ADD 1 OR 2 JIGGERS OF
WHISKEY, IF IN PAIN OR IN HAVING LABOR PAINS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN
TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS, PRIMARILY
HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P248 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
RITUAL IN HONOR OF THE FEAST DAY OF ST. LUCY-- AN ITALIAN WAY
OF WORSHIPING THIS SAINT IS TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE A
SALAD WHICH IS MADE OUT OF WHEAT AND ITALIAN MOLASSES (MILD, NOT
THICK), AND CHI CHI BEANS. EVERYONE SHOULD EAT THIS AND THIS RITUAL
GIVES STRENGTH FOR YOUR EYES.
Data entry tech comment: ST. LUCY'S DAY: DECEMBER 13.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F121 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
BRIDAL VEIL MUST BE REMOVED AT MIDNIGHT, OTHERWISE
IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Removing veil |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
ONE WHITE FOOT, BUY IT.
TWO WHITE FEET, TRY IT.
THREE WHITE FEET, SEE HOW IT GOES.
FOUR WHITE FEET, AND WHITE NOSE,
CUT OFF ITS FEET AND THROW IT TO THE CROWS.
Submitter comment: THIS APPLIED TO BUYING A HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.442 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
"GOOD AS GOLD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
PRANK
SOME OF THE GIRLS IN MY DORM WOULD FILL A WASTEPAPER
BASKET WITH WATER AND LEAN IT AGAINST SOMEONE'S DOOR.
THEN THEY WOULD KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND RUN. WHEN
THE GIRL WOULD OPEN THE DOOR TO SEE WHO WAS THERE,
THE WATER WOULD SPILL INTO HER ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
CONVERSION; TURNING AND SPITTING (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH YOU MUST TURN AROUND TEN TIMES AND
SPIT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CAT TO GET RID OF THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.31 |
Date learned: 12-01-1971