Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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OMENS
AFTER MIDNIGHT IF YOU TALK TO A BLACK CAT THE CAT COULD TALK BACK
BECAUSE SOME BLACK CATS CARRY THE SOULS OF FAIRIES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
OMENS
IF YOU LEAVE SCISSORS OPEN INSTEAD OF CLOSED THERE MIGHT BE A FIGHT
IN THE HOUSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
AFTER THE CEREMONY THEY POUR RICE SUGAR AND MONEY ON THE HEAD OF THE
BRIDE SO IT WILL BRING FORTUNE SWEETNESS AND A LOT OF EVERYTHING TO
THE MARRIAGE
Submitter comment: THIS WAS REDUCED TO JUST RICE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Things thrown at newlyweds |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
PLANT BELIEFS
KEEPING AN IVY PLANT IN THE HOME IS BAD LUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.36 |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
GOOD AND BAD LUCK
SATURDAY AFTER NOON YOU SHOULD NOT TOUCH A NEEDLE AND THREAD BECAUSE
IT WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK
Submitter comment: THIS WAS INSPIRATION FOR WOMEN TO STOP HOUSE WORK TO SOCIALIZE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
DETERMINING THE SEX OF UNBORN
YOU TAKE A WEDDING RING AND ATTACH A STRING TO IT, AND SWING IT OVER
A PERSON'S HAND. IF IT SWINGS IN A CIRCLE THIS PERSON WILL HAVE A
A GIRL.
IF IT SWINGS BACK AND FORTH THIS PERSON WILL HAVE A BOY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.4 |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
CHRISTMAS, EASTERTIDE
IF IT SNOWS ON CHRISTMAS, IT WILL BE A GREEN EASTER
Submitter comment: THIS YEAR (1979) THIS BELIEF SEEMS TO BE TRUE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
Date learned: 04-00-1979
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: "NA TO JAK NA LATO."
TRANSLATION: FAR IT LIKE FOR SUMMER.
Submitter comment:
THIS MEANS THAT ONE IS AS ENTHUSIASTIC FOR SOMETHING AS FOR SUMMER.
THE WORD "SUMMER" IS ALSO USED BECAUSE IT RHYMES WITH "IT".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
POLISH: "FARTUNA KOTEM SIE TOCZY"
TRANSLATION: "FORTUNE TURNS AS A WHEEL" MEANING THAT IT HAS
ITS UPS AND DOWNS. I KNOW THIS FROM HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: ZIUILKIEJ CHMURY, MATY DESZAZ.
TRANSLATION: FROM A BIG CLOUD, LITTLE RAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
"OD DESKI DO DESKI"
TRANSLATION: FROM BOARD TO BOARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb BELIEF -- Weather sign or control PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 11-19-1967
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: "ZASTAW SI'E, A YSOSTOW SI'E"
TRANSLATION: GO ALL OUT, BUT SHOW YOURSELF WELL.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS NOT A VERY LITERAL TRANSLATION, BUT THIS SAYING IMPLIES
THAT IT IS WORTH IT TO EXTEND YOURSELF OVER YOUR LIMITS IN ORDER TO
PRESENT YOURSELF WELL TO SOMEONE. THIS IDEA IS PARTICURLY USED
WHEN ENTERTAINING GUESTS. MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERED IT FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
POLISH SAYING
GOD DOES UNTO JACOB, AS JACOB DOES UNTO GOD.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER REMEMBERS THIS PROVERB FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL? ; RECIPROCITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-29-1967
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: PAN BOG GO NIE CHEE, DIABLIGO, SU BOJA.
TRANSLATION: GOD DOESN'T WANT HIM, THE DEVILS FEAR HIM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS USED IN REFERENCE TO SOMEONE WHO IS VERY EVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: "DABRY PRYZKTAD POTOWA POZANIA."
TRANSLATION: A GOOD EXAMPLE IS HALF THE SERMON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: POJS'C DO ABRAHAMA NA PIIVO.
TRANSLATION: GO TO ABRAHAM'S FOR A BEER.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS USED IN REFERENCE TO SOMEONE DYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
POLISH PROVERB
POLISH: CYGAN DZIE'CMI S'IVNACZY.
TRANSLATION: A GYPSY GIVES HIS CHILDREN AS WITNESSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED IN CASES OF PREJUDICE. MY FATHER KNOWS THIS SAYING AS
WELL AS HIS MOTHER DID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
A LEGEND IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
THERE IS A LEGEND OF A PHANTOM INHABITING THE RUINS OF A CASTLE IN
THE VILLAGE OF JANOWIEC, IN CENTRAL POLAND WHERE MY GRANDFATHER
COMES FROM. THE CASTLE HAS BEEN LONG ABANDONED AND ONLY A FACADE
AND A FEW ROOMS ARE LEFT. ONE ROOM IS SAID TO BE THE BLACK LADY'S
WHO LIVED THERE ONCE.
THIS BLACK LADY WAS THE DAUGHTER OF A NOBLE. SHE HAD FALLEN IN
LOVE WITH A MAN OF MUCH LOWER STATUS AND WISHED TO MARRY HIM.
SINCE THIS WAS SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE, HER FATHER WAS VERY MUCH
AGAINST THE ROMANCE. TO PUNISH HIS STUBBORN DAUGHTER, HE LOCKED
HER UP IN THE TOWER OF THE CASTLE TO THINK THIS OVER.
SHE WOULD NOT CHANGE HER MIND, BUT INSTEAD MADE PLANS TO CLIMB
DOWN ON KNOTTED SHEETS TO HER LOVER. A SERVANT HAD LEARNED OF HER
PLANS AND ARRANGED FOR HER FATHER TO MEET HER WHEN SHE CLIMBED DOWN.
IN HIS ANGER, THE FATHER THREW HER INTO THE DUNGEON, WHERE SHE
COMMITTED SUICIDE, SINCE THEN HER GHOST HAS BEEN KNOWN TO
INHABIT THE CASTLE IN DOING PENANCE FOR HER DISOBEDIENCE AND
AT TIMES APPEARING TO THE PEOPLE OF JANOWIEC IN THE VALLEY BELOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LEGEND THAT IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE AREA OF
JANOWIEC, POLAND AND ITS TOLD TO EVERYONE VISITING THE CASTLE
RUINS.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING, TOOK OUT COMMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
NED OF THE HILLS
IN THE WORDS OF JIM LAMB, WHEN WE WERE LITTLE GRANDPA LAMB USED TO
TELL US THE STORY OF NED OF THE HILLS. NED WAS A REVOLUTIONARY HERO
WAY BACK IN HISTORY. OH, THIS IS A SAD, SAD STORY. NED WENT UP TO
THE HILLS OF IRELAND TO ESCAPE THE POLICE. THE ENGLISH HAD PUT A
PRICE ON HIS HEAD. ONE NIGHT HE STAYED WITH A COBBLER. THE COBBLER
CUT OFF HIS HEAD BECAUSE THE ENGLISH, YOU SEE, HAD PUT A PRICE ON HI
ACTUAL HEAD. THE COBBLER BROUGHT THE HEAD IN ONLY TO FIND THE PRICE
HAD BEEN LIFTED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IRISH LEGEND OF THE SECULAR HERO NED OF THE HILLS WAS TOLD BY M
GRANDPA LAMB TO HIS CHILDREN IN DEARBORN. GRANDPA LAMB, BEING FROM
IRELAND, WAS A GREAT STORYTELLER AND HE TOLD THE LEGEND OF NED OF TH
HILLS MANY TIMES TO MY UNCLE JIMMY LAMB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1939 ; 11-22-1979
PETTICOAT LUCE
HERE IS ANOTHER IRISH STORY GRANDPA LAMB USED TO TELL US WHEN WE WER
KIDS. THIS IS THE STORY OF PETTICOAT LUCE. THERE WAS THIS OLD
FARMER COMING HOME FROM THE VILLAGE AT NIGHT. AS HE CROSSED A STREA
HE NOTICED A WOMAN AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHO WANTED A RIDE SO HE
STOPPED HIS WAGON AND LET HER ON. AS HE CONTINUED HE NOTICED THE
HORSE WAS PANTING AS IF THE LOAD WAS GETTING HEAVIER AND HEAVIER.
THE FARMER LET PETTICOAT LUCE OFF AT ANOTHER STREAM BUT WHEN HE GOT
HOME WOULD YOU BELIEVE THE HORSE DROPPED DEAD.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THE EXPLANATION TO THIS STORY IS THAT PETTICOAT LUCE WAS A
PHANTOM WHO WEIGHED MORE AND MORE. THIS IRISH LEGEND WAS TOLD BY
GRANDPA LAMB TO MY UNCLE JIM LAMB WHEN HE WAS A KID IN DEARBORN.
James Callow comment: COMPARE "THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOSTLY HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1939 ; 11-22-1979