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 34 returned 22195 results.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM (POLISH)
THE CHRISTMAS TREE WAS NEVER TAKEN DOWN BEFORE THE FEAST OF THE MAGI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM (POLISH)
A CHRISTMAS TREE MUST HAVE AN ANGEL ORNAMENT PLACED ON THE TOP
OF THE TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
AMONG UKRAINIANS THE RITUAL OPENING OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
IS THE BRINGING IN OF A SHEAF OF WHEAT CALLED "DIDUKH"
(GRANDFATHER), A SYMBOL OF THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN; THIS
IS DONE BY THE MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD. (IN THE CITIES
THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND THE SHEAF IS REPLACED
WITH A FEW STALKS OF WHEAT IN A VASE.) THE SHEAF IS
PLACED IN THE CORNER OF THE DINING ROOM AND
REMAINS THERE UNTIL NEW YEAR WHEN IT IS TAKEN OUT AND BURNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
IN THE HUNGARIAN NEIGHBORHOODS IN WINDSOR DURING THE 1920'S, THE MEN
WOULD GET TOGETHER DURING ADVENT AND BUILD A MANGER. ON CHRISTMAS
EVE A LIGHT WOULD BE PLACED IN THE MANGER AND FOUR MEN WOULD CARRY IT
ON THEIR SHOULDERS FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. AT EACH HOUSE, THE MEN WOULD
STOP, HAVE A DRINK AND SOMETHING TO EAT AND THEN CONTINUE ON THEIR
JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
ITALIAN DINING CUSTOM
IT WAS CUSTOMARY AMONG THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER'S
GENERATION TO PUT WINE IN OR ON THEIR FOOD, NO MATTER WHAT IT
WAS, FOR LUNCH AND DINNER EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER LIVED TO BE 89 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
Date learned: 11-00-1982
GOOD LUCK BELIEF ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS: PENNY ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
IF YOU FIND A PENNY AND PUT IT IN YOUR SHOE YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.15 |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GOOD LUCK ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
A MUSTARD SEED WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
VERSE
ROSES ARE RED,/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE,/ MY FEET STINK,/ AND SO DO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PARODY ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
MY MOTHER ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT TO BE TOO HAPPY
MEANS THAT SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN TO YOU TO
BALANCE THE MEASURE. SO IF THINGS ARE GOING RIGHT,
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, BUT DON'T BE TOO VOCAL, OR
SOMETHING BAD IS SURE TO OCCUR!!!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPENSATION CYCLICAL THINKING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1985
COLD REMEDY FROM GREECE
THIS IS A TYPE OF HOMEMADE ELIXIR. YOU NEED A COFFEE CUP.
POUR IN A FOURTH OF A CUP OF WHISKEY, A THIRD OF A CUP OF HONEY,
THE HONEY SHOULD BE HEATED, A THIRD OF A CUP OF HOT TEA, AND TWO
TABLESPOONS OF LEMON JUICE. THIS YOU MIX VIGOROUSLY WITH A SPOON.
TO THIS YOU ADD A PINCH OF NUTMEG, TWO TEASPOONS OF SUGAR, AND
A CINNAMON STICK TO STIR IT WITH. THIS ACTUALLY DOES COAT THE
THROAT, BUT EVEN IF IT DID NOT, THE WHISKEY IS ENOUGH TO MAKE
YOU NOT CARE!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
IF YOU EAT LOTS OF CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT, YOUR
CHILD WILL HAVE DARK BROWN HAIR. SHE TOLD ME THIS DURING MY
AUNT'S PREGNANCY; MY AUNT CRAVED CHOCOLATE, AND SURE ENOUGH.
MY COUSIN HAS DARK, SHINY BROWN HAIR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I FIRST HEARD THIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
SUPERSTITON
AN ENGLISH IVY PLANT IN THE HOUSE WILL BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT STRONGLY BELIEVES THIS. SHE CLAIMS THAT WHENEVER SHE HAD SUCH A PLANT IN THE HOUSE, THE RESULT WAS NOTHING BUT BAD LUCK UNTIL SHE DISPOSED OF THE PLANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck Plants |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
PROVERB
WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS IT MEANS THAT WHAT'S GOOD FOR ONE PERSON IS ALSO GOOD
FOR THE OTHER. INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS ONE HUNDRED EYES BUT NEVER A NOSE?
A: A POTATO
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER VARIANT IN U OF D FOLKLORE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL
James Callow Keyword(s): VEGETABLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
ANGORA BELIEF
PUT ANGORA YARN IN THE ICEBOX A FEW HOURS BEFORE YOU
PLAN TO USE IT FOR KNITTING;
IT KEEPS THE YARN FROM SHEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL PRODUCT
| Subject headings: | Custom BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
HIDE AND SEEK CAL
APPLE, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE,
WHO'S NOT READY HOLLER "I."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.538 |
Date learned: 00001958 CA.
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF A MOTHER CONTINUES TO NURSE HER CHILD, SHE WON'T BECOME PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT ATTEND A FUNERAL, OR HER CHILD WILL
DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
NUMBER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
IN JAPAN, IF A GIFT IS GIVEN WITH MORE THAN ONE PIECE (E.G., TEA SET)
IT MUST BE AN ODD NUMBER OR BAD LUCK WILL FOLLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific) |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Keyword(s): caring, love
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1991