Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN SOMEONE IN A JEWISH FAMILY DIES ALL THE MIRRORS ARE COVERED
UNTIL THE PERSON IS BURIED
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WITNESSED THIS CUSTOM ABOUT 25 YRS AGO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
CUSTOM
A SWEDISH SMORGASBORD IS TIZERS EATEN BEFORE A MEAL. THE APPE
APPETIZERS CONSIST OF BREAD AND BUTTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Noon mealsDinnerLunch |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
IRISH GHOST BELIEF
WE HEARD A BANSHEE CRYING ONE NIGHT AND GRANDFATHER O'BRIEN TOLD US
THIS MEANT SOMEONE IN TOWN WAS GOING TO DIE. THE BANSHEE WENT MMOOO
MMOOO ALL NIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE OF THE PERSON THAT WAS GOING TO
DIE. A BANSHEE IS A KIND OF A LITTLE FAIRIE. PEGGY SWEARS SHE SAW
ONE IN THE GRAVEYARD ONE NIGHT. IT WAS ALL WHITE.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND. SHE WAS FIVE
YEARS OLD IN 1932 WHEN SHE HEARD THE CRY OF THE BANSHEE.
PEGGY IS MY AUNT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1932 ; 11-22-1979
IRISH FAIRY STORY
MY GRANDFATHER TOLD US THIS STORY ONCE ABOUT HOW WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG
MAN HE WAS CAUGHT IN A FAIRIE-RING. HE WAS IN THIS FIELD WHICH WAS
ENCLOSED BY A CIRCULAR WALL. WHEN HE WAS FINISHED WORK FOR THE DAY
HE WALKED TO THE GATE BUT THERE WAS A FAIRIE ON IT AND IT WOULDN'T
LET HIM OUT. A FAIRIE IS A LITTLE GHOST. HE RAN TO ANOTHER GATE BU
THERE WAS A FAIRIE ON THAT ONE TOO. HE WALKED AROUND THE FIELD FOR
DAYS BEFORE HE GOT OUT. YOU CALL THIS A FAIRIE-RING.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY MY GREATGRANDFATHER TO MY MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD
EVERY NIGHT HE WOULD TELL STORIES. THE 1892 DATE IS ABOUT THE TIME
GRANDFATHER O'BRIEN WAS CAUGHT IN THE FAIRIE-RING, HE TOLD THE STORY
TO MY MOTHER IN 1932. MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD,
IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): FAIRY RING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00-00-1892 ; 00-00-1932
Proverb
Whistling girls and cackling hens / Always come to some bad ends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C800, V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Cackle ; FATE ; Girl ; Hen ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; RHYME ; VERSE ; Whistle
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Proverb
Death is nature's way of telling us to slow down.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [W200, P666] crossed out. Replacedw tih current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DEATH ; Maxim ; NATURE ; PROVERB ; Slow ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Belief: Animal
If you touch a frog, it will cause warts.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P870] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; Disfigure ; FROG ; SUPERSTITION ; Wart ; Warts
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
THE BONES
THE BONES ARE A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. THEY LOOK LIKE RIB BONES
AND ARE ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. A GUY WOULD PLACE THREE OF THEM
BETWEEN HIS FINGERS AND CLICK THEM TOGETHER TO MAKE SOUNDS.
Submitter comment:
THE BONES COME FROM INDIANA AND WERE FOUND ANYWHERE THERE WAS
MUSIC. THEY WERE USUALLY CURVED, BLACK IN COLOR, AND USED TO KEEP
TIME THE WAY WE USE A DRUM TODAY. THE INFORMANT SAID THAT SOME
PEOPLE WERE SO GOOD AT IT THAT "YOU COULD TELL WHAT SONG HE WAS
PLAYING JUST FROM THE BONES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Music ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Musical instrument SPEECH -- To Be Heard |
Superstition: Pregnancy
Birth Omen:
When you are pregnant, if you thread a needle and hold it over your left arm with your right hand, you can learn what the sex of the child is. If it swings across the arm, it is a boy. If it swings up and down the arm, it is a girl.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): BIRTH ; CHILD ; DIVINATION ; gender ; Ordaining ; PREGNANCY ; SEX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
TO KEEP CIDER SWEET, WHEN IT HAS REACHED THE DESIRED LEVEL, ADD A
TUMBLER OF GRATED HORSERADISH TO EACH 24 GALLONS AND STIR A LITTLE
TO MIX.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GOT THIS OUT OF AN OLD BOOK ON HOUSEHOLD TIPS. SHE
THINKS THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED IN THE 1920'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO FRESHEN STALE BREAD, WRAP THE LOAF IN A CLEAN CLOTH AND DIP
IT INTO BOILING HOT WATER FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. THEN TAKE OFF THE
CLOTH AND BAKE THE LOAF FOR 10 MINUTES IN A SLOW OVEN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
BELLING.
WHEN SOMEONE GETS ENGAGED, ALL THE TOWNSPEOPLE FIND A NIGHT WHEN
THEY'RE TOGETHER AND TAKE TIN CANS AND POTS AND STUFF TO MAKE NOISE.
THIS BRINGS THE COUPLE OUT AND THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO TREAT EVERYBODY
TO GET THEM TO GO AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, WINIFRED MIRTO, LEARNED THIS CUSTOM IN INDIANA BUT
BELIEVES IT ORIGINATED ELSEWHERE, PROBABLY IN PENNSYLVANIA
WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA-DUTCH. THE TREAT THE COUPLE USUALLY GAVE WAS
CANDY BARS, BUT IT REALLY CAME DOWN TO WHATEVER THEY COULD AFFORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
A CURE FOR SNAKEBITES IS TURPENTINE. HAVE IT IN A BOTTLE, PLACE MOUTH
OF BOTTLE DIRECTLY OVER THE SPOT, AND BRING THE TURPENTINE DIRECTLY
IN CONTACT WITH THE BITE BY HOLDING THE BOTTLE UPSIDE-DOWN. IT SHOULD
BE HELD THERE UNTIL RELIEF COMES. IT USUALLY TAKES LESS THAN FIFTEEN
MINUTES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GOT THIS OUT OF AN OLD BOOK ON HOUSEHOLD TIPS. SHE
THINKS THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED IN THE 1920'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO STOP SOMEONE FROM CHOKING, BREAK AN EGG IN A CUP AND GIVE THE
WHITE PART TO THE PERSON CHOKING. THIS USUALLY CATCHES AROUND THE
OBSTACLE AND SLIDES IT OUT.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THE INFORMANT LIVED ON A FARM AND WOULD HAVE HAD EASY
ACCESS TO EGGS, SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER EVER USING THIS METHOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO STOP A NOSE BLEED, PUT A PIECE OF WRITING PAPER, FOLDED SEVERAL
TIMES, BETWEEN THE UPPER LIPS AND GUMS.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO CLEAR MUDDY WATER, THROW A FEW DRIED PEACH KERNELS, SLIGHTLY
CRACKED, INTO A BARREL OF WATER. IT WILL BE PERFECTLY CLEAR IN AN
HOUR OR TWO.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA BUT DOESN'T
REMEMBER EVER USING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO REMOVE FURNITURE BRUISES, FOLD A PIECE OF BROWN WRAPPING PAPER
FIVE OR SIX TIMES, SOAK IT IN WARM WATER, THEN LAY IT ON THE
BRUISED SPOT AND APPLY A HOT IRON UNTIL THE PAPER IS DRY. IF THE
BRUISE HAS NOT DISAPPEARED, REPEAT UNTIL IT DOES.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CREAM, BEAT THREE EGGS TO A STIFF FROTH;
GRADUALLY POUR BOILING HOT TEA OVER THEM UNTIL THICKNESS OF CREAM IS
REACHED.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Egg Food Drink -- Animal product Milk product Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF EGGS, LOOK AT THE SMALL ENDS. EGGS WITH MALE
GERMS HAVE WRINKLES AT THE SMALL ENDS, WHILE THOSE CONTAINING FEMALE
GERMS WILL BE QUITE SMOOTH.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Egg |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
TO DRIVE AWAY FLIES, BOIL THREE OR FOUR ONIONS IN A PINT OF WATER.
APPLY IT WITH A BRUSH TO GLASS, PICTURE FRAMES, ETC.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 03-04-1982