Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 24 returned 1401 results.
POLISH GOOD LUCK SYMBOL OF OPLATET [OPLATEK]
BREAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD BETWEEN
PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL TO
SIGNIFY GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BREAD ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
BAD LUCK, SUPERSTITION
BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN THREES (3'S) ESPECIALLY DEATHS
IF ONE MEMBER IN FAMILY DIES, TWO MORE WILL DIE SOON.
Submitter comment:
MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER OF INFORMANT REALLY BELIEVED
THIS AND IF SOMEONE DIED SHE WOULD BEGIN TO
WAIT FOR TWO MORE DEATHS NO MATTER HOW
MUCH TIME LAPSED BETWEEN DEATHS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
A WAFER IS BROKEN AND EATEN BY THE ENTIRE
FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS TO SYMBOLIZE SHARING IN
THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-18-1967
CAROLLING ON THREE KINGS DAY AT WINDOWS OR PORCHES AND RECIEVING
MONEY OR REFRESHMENTS IN RETURN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 10-06-1967
NEVER EAT CHICKEN, OR ANY KIND OF FOWL, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY;
BECAUSE CHICKEN SCRATCH BACKWARDS, AND YOU WANT TO GO
FORWARD IN THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 02-18-1970
ROMANIAN CUSTOM
IF YOU MEET WITH FUNERAL CORTEGE, IF YOU MUST CROSS
TO THE OTHER SIDE, YOU HAVE TO HURRY TO PASS BEFORE
IT, NEVER GO THROUGH THE PROCESSION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
Truckpatch
Most Afro-Americans in the south during the 1930's had great
self pride. However, they had to eat. For this particular
family there were 16 people under one two-room roof shack. Okra
was always left in the ice box; it was a substitute for meat.
Neighbors would come by to bring different items grown from their
truckpatch, but would always say that they had too much and
didn't want it to go to waste. Foods such as sweet potatoes,
pinto beans and rice were brought. Everything was usually cooked
together in one pot and would last for up to three weeks. The
pinto beans were saved mostly because they were good for at least
three more swellings.
Keyword(s): Truckpatch = Small garden
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable |
RIDDLE QUESTION: CLOCK
"WHAT IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13?"
ANSWER: "TIME TO BUY A NEW CLOCK."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS JUST HAVING FUN BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE IS
NO CLOCK THAT WILL INFORM YOU THAT IT IS 13 O'CLOCK.
INFORMANT LEARNED IT AT WORK.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): RIDDLE JOKE: CLOCKS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
AN INNOCENT MAIDEN FROM BUTTE
THOUGHT A BIG CITY SLICKER WAS CUTE.
NOW SHE'S IN, YOU MIGHT GUSS,
A MATFRNITY DRESS AND HE'S IH A PATERNITY SUIT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY OWNS A BAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
SHE REMEMBERED FROM A CUSTOMER.
INFORMANT'S DAMILY OWNS A BAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
SHE REMEMBERED FROM A CUSTOMER.
Keyword(s): LIMERICK ; RHYME: AABBA ; SEDUCTION ; TRIPLE RHYMES ; WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
FOR MEASLES, GET RED SASSAFRAS AND BOIL IT.
IN THREE DAYS YOU WILL BE CURED.
FOR MUMPS, GET MARROW FROM THE JAWBONE (THEY WERE SAVED)
AND RUB YOUR FACE IN IT. IN THREE DAYS YOU WILL BE CURED.
IF YOU STUB A TOE OR HURT A FINGER, CUT A HOLE IN A PINE TREE
AND PUT THE TURPENTINE ON THE INJURY.
Submitter comment:
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAD SO LITTLE MONEY THEY FOUND CURES THEMSELVES
WHEN THEY BECAME ILL. DOCTORS WERE HARD TO GET , THEY CHARGED
BY THE MILE WHEN THEY CAME, FOR 10 MILES HE CHARGED $10.
THE PEOPLE FOUND HERBS FOR THE DIFFERENT AILMENTS.
THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
SUPERSTITION
IF A CERTAIN GIRL IS CONSISTENTLY THE LAST ONE TO FINISH
EATING AT THE TABLE, THEN SHE WILL BE AS OLD MAID.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
WE WET OUR FINGER TO SEE WHICH WAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING.
Submitter comment: COMMON PRACTICE AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
EVIL OMEN
THE VIET CONG WILL NOT ATTACK WHEN THE MOON IS FULL.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
A DEATH WARNING
IF A FLOWER POT FALLS AND BREAKS IN A FUNERAL HOME, THAT MEANS
THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Observation |
Date learned: 09-10-1969
SUPERSTITION
WHEN A BIRD SEEKS SHELTER AROUND A HOUSE, FOR EXAMPLE
ON A WINDOW SILL OR A PORCH OF A HOUSE, AND STAYS THERE FOR
AWHILE, SOMEONE YOU KNOW WILL DIE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-04-1967
FUNERAL PROCESSION
IF YOU COUNT THE CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION
THAT'S HOW MANY YEARS YOU HAVE LEFT TO LIVE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
CUSTOM
FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FAMILY HAS AN ODD NUMBER OF DISHES FOR
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER. THIS DINNER IS CALLED WIGILIA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
FOLK REMEDIES
FRESH LEMON SQUEEZED FROM THE LEMON ONTO A CUT TO STOP BLEEDING.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY MOTHER GOT A BAD CUT, HER MAIDS USED TO DO THIS, AND
IT STOPPED THE BLEEDING.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
FOLK REMEDIES.
BICARBONATE SODA AND WATER FOR STOMACH ACHES.
Submitter comment:
WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I USED TO TAKE THIS, AND IT GOT RID OF MY
STOMACH ACHES.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
OBSERVATION BELIEF
IF IT RAINS WHILE THE SUN SHINES, IT WILL RAIN THE NEXT DAY.
Submitter comment: MRS. DEVERUEX LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-22-1963