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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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FOOD BELIEF

IF YOU EAT SPINACH, YOU WILL HAVE LONG HAIR AND ROSY CHEEKS.

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: CHILDHOOD

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PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM

THE ONLY CERTAIN THINGS ARE DEATH AND TAXES

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN WE WOULD PUT OUT A MANGER SCENE AT THE
BEGINNING OF ADVENT. EACH TIME A CHILD DID A GOOD DEAD WE WOULD
PUT A TOOTHPICK UNDER THE CHRIST CHILD, TO GIVE HIM A COMFORTABLE
BED.

Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS ORIGINALLY COLLECTED IN NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NORTH TONAWANDA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Decorations
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FF64 FF64.2

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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BAD LUCK COMES IN THREES.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers

Date learned: 00001950S

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FOR GOOD LUCK THE GROOM MUST CARRY THE BRIDE OVER THE
THRESHOLD.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Carrying bride over threshold

Date learned: 00001950S

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FIRST STAR

YOU SHOULD WISH ON THE FIRST STAR.

Submitter comment:

Learned in the 1950s.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: 686 686.1
BELIEF -- Star
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00001950S

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IF YOUR PALM ITCHES, IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET
SOME MONEY.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet

Date learned: 00001950S

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A BURNING IN YOUR EAR MEANS SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning
Observation

Date learned: 00001950S

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PUT A PENNY IN YOUR LOAFER (SHOE) FOR GOOD LUCK

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck Money
BELIEF -- Good luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.)

Date learned: 00001950S

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BLUE, BLUE, GOD LOVES YOU.
YELLOW, YELLOW, KISS A FELLOW.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults

Date learned: 00001950S

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Custom

Common Law Custom:

Informant never does family laundry on Sunday, because it is a day of rest and is frowned upon byu herself and other members of the family. Laundry hanging outside on a line is considered disgraceful.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F539] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; LeRoy

Keyword(s): Chores ; CUSTOM ; Domestic ; LAUNDRY ; Sunday

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour

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Custom/Belief

Irregular Festival:

It is a custom in my family to have a big family gathering, celebration, reunion, and party whenever someone in the fammily has made the Sacrament of Confirmation or 1st Communion. The recipient recieves gifts and/or money from every other member of the fmaily. It roughlyparallels the Bar Matzvah of the Jewish Religion.

Data entry tech comment:

motifs added by TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; Myself ; LeRoy

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; Maturity ; PARTY ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; Rite-of-Passage

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

A TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM IS THE SHARING OF A BLESSED
WAFER CALLED OPLATKI. EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BREAKS OFF AND
EATS A PIECE OF THE WAFER WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED USUALLY BY THE
GRANDMOTHER OR THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY. THE WAFER IS SIMILAR TO THE
COMMUNION WAFER. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES ARE OFFERED
AS THE WAFER IS RECEIVED. THIS PARTICULAR PRACTICE FOLLOWS A FAMILY
MEAL OF ALL POLISH FOODS.

Submitter comment:

THIS CUSTOM IS STILL BEING FOLLOWED AT MY HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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IF I STEPPED OVER A BROOM THAT WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR, I
WOULD HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; THE NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck Broom Sweeping

Date learned: 00-00-1945

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

A YOUNG FELLOW WHO WAS VERY INEXPERIENCED IN
MATTERS OF LOVE, WAS GOING TO GET MARRIED, SO HE
WENT TO SEE HIS DOCTOR FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO PROCEED
THE FIRST NIGHT. DOCTOR SAID TO GO TO BED TOGETHER,
PUT YOUR HAND ON HER TUMMY, RUB IN A CIRCLE AND SAY,
"I LOVE YOU." SO THE FELLOW WAS DOING THIS AND HIS
BRIDE SAID, "LOWER." AND THE FELLOW DROPPED HIS VOICE
A FEW TONES AND REPEATED, "I LOVE YOU."

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK ; JOKE COLLECTION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 10-05-1971

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HALLOWEEN SONG

TRICK OR TREATS,
MONEY OR EATS,
IF YOU DON'T LIKE ME,
YOU CAN SMELL MY FEETS.

Submitter comment: THIS SONG IS SUNG ON HALLOWEEN

Where learned: NEW YORK ; CHEEKTOWAGA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent.

Date learned: 12-00-1973

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A GIRL CONFIDED IN HER ROOMMATE THAT LATELY SHE HAD
BEEN GETTING A VIOLENT SEXUAL FEELING EVERYTIME SHE
SNEEZED. THE ROOMMATE SAYS, "WHAT ARE YOU TAKING FOR
IT?" THE FIRST GIRL SAYS, "BLACK PEPPER."

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK ; JOKE COLLECTION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

Date learned: 10-05-1971

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WOMAN IN DRUG STORE ORDERS ONE DOZEN RUBBERS.
SIZE? "MIX THEM UP--I'M GOING TO A PICNIC."

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK ; JOKE COLLECTION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

Date learned: 10-05-1971

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MOCK PRAYER

THIS LITTLE COUPLET WAS SAID BY THE INFORMANT AS A GRACE
BEFORE MEALS. IT WAS SAID WHILE LOOKING UP TOWARDS
HEAVEN AND RUBBING HIS HANDS TOGETHER IN ANTICIPATION
OF A GOOD MEAL:
RUB-A-DUB-DUB,
THANKS FOR THE GRUB.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; SEMINARY ; PLATTSBURGH

James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00001966 FALL

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