Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TO RID ONE'S SELF OF A WART, YOU TAKE A RAW POTATO, CUT INTO THREE
EQUAL PARTS, TAKE THE MIDDLE SECTION AND RUB IT ON THE WART.
AFTER THIS IS DONE, TAKE THE POTATO AND BURY IT WITH THE SIDE
USED TO RUB THE WART FACE UP, AND IN A FEW WEEKS THE WART WILL
BE GONE.
Submitter comment:
DIANE TOLD ME THIS WHEN I TOLD HER I USED TO HAVE A WART WHEN
I WAS LITTLE.
Where learned: SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER PLUGGING
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-10-1969
THE GREEKS HAVE A VERY STRONG BELIEF IN THE EVIL
EYE, WHICH THEY CALL TO MATI. IF A GREEK PERSON
THINKS YOU ARE PUTTING THE EYE ON THEM, THEY WILL
SAY "SKORTHA STA MATIA SU" MEANING "GARLIC
IN YOUR EYES."
Where learned: SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-24-1969
THERE'S A SCREW LOOSE IN THE UPPER STORY.
Submitter comment: LAME BRAIN
Where learned: SCHOOL
Keyword(s): INSANITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
WHEN WRITING OR PRINTING, IF YOU CIRCLE YOUR "I'S"
IT MEANS SOME SORT OF AFFECTION, USUALLY "I LOVE YOU."
IF YOU PUT A STAMP UPSIDE DOWN ON AN ENVELOPE,
IT MEANS, "I LOVE YOU."
Where learned: SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
COMMERICAL VOCABULARY - SLOGAN:
WE TRY HARDER.
Where learned: SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
NICKNAME OF A WOMAN DOCTOR
SHE WAS THE ONLY "HEN MEDIC."
Where learned: SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
Superstition: Academics
Belief:
Don't shave from the time of studying for an exam until the student takes the exam.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and F537 is written next to it.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Academics ; BELIEF ; Books ; EDUCATION ; EDUCATION ADVICE ; GROOMING ; jinx ; Shaving ; Studying ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
A woman was in church praying to the Blessed Mother. Suddenly she heard a voice say, "My name is Jesus." The woman did not answer, but only prayed harder. Again the voice sounded. The woman turned around, looked, and continued praying. Again in happened. The woman was then very angry and said "Keep Quiet! Can't you see I am talking to your mother?"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs entered by TRD
Where learned: SCHOOL ; Myself
Keyword(s): Catholic ; Catholocism ; Family Relationships ; HUMOR ; MOTHER ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; Religious Humor ; Respect for Elders ; VIRGIN MARY
| Subject headings: |
A woman was in church praying to the Blessed Mother. Suddenly she heard a voice say, "My name is Jesus." The woman did not answer, but only prayed harder. Again the voice sounded. The woman turned around, looked, and continued praying. Again in happened. The woman was then very angry and said "Keep Quiet! Can't you see I am talking to your mother?"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs entered by TRD
Where learned: SCHOOL ; Myself
Keyword(s): Catholic ; CATHOLICISM ; Family Relationships ; HUMOR ; MOTHER ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; Religious Humor ; Respect for Elders ; VIRGIN MARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Superstition
Point at a shooting star or even speak of it and you lose your next wish.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Origina BN's [P600.880, P800, P880] crossed out and replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: SCHOOL
Keyword(s): ASTROLOGY ; ASTRONOMY ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; jinx ; Point ; SPEAKING TABU ; SUPERSTITION ; TABU ; WISH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Comet BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Entertainment: Gambling
Belief:
Aces and Eights - this is the Dead Man's Hand. Wild Bill Hickok was killed in a poler game with this hand.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] was written twice and crossed out each time/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: SCHOOL
Keyword(s): Aces ; CARDS ; Dead Man's Hand ; DEATH ; Eights ; Entertainment ; Hero ; Legend ; NUMBERS ; Outlaw ; Poker, Gambling ; Wild West
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
EYELASH
IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU AN EYELASH IS ON YOUR CHEEK, GUESS WHICH SIDE.
IF YOU ARE RIGHT, YOU WILL HAVE A WISH COME TRUE.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
HORSESHOE
THROW A HORSESHOE OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
BABIES
WHEN A BABY IS BORN, PIN A MEDAL TO THE CRIB FOR PROTECTION.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET TALISMAN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
MIRRORS
NEVER PASS A MIRROR WUTHOIT LOOKING OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR IDENTITY.
James Callow comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
FIRST CHILD
IF THE FIRST CHILD IS A GIRL, NAME IT AFTER HER MOTHER AND YOUR
NEXT CHILD WILL BE A BOY.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth SPEECH -- S583 |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
WAITRESS BELIEF ABOUT SILVERWARE
NEVER PUT SILVERWARE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A CUSTOMER
OR YOU WON'T GET A TIP.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH A RIGHTHANDED CUSTOMER
HAVING TO REACH OVER FOR HIS SILVERWARE.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHTHANDEDNESS ; TIPPING
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
DEVIL'S NIGHT
ON DEVIL'S NIGHT RING DOORBELLS AND SOAP WINDOWS
TO SHOW YOUR RESPECT FOR THE DEVIL'S POWER.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
HALLOWEEN
ON HALLOWEEN, EAT CHILI AND YOU GET GOOD TREATS.
Submitter comment:
ON HALLOWEEN MY MOTHER ALWAYS MADE CHILI BECAUSE IT WAS A QUICK
MEAL. SINCE NONE OF US LIKE CHILI, SHE TOLD US WE
WOULDN'T GET ANY TREATS IF WE DIDN'T EAT IT.
James Callow comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
NEW YEAR'S EVE
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, BANG POTS AND PANS TO WELCOME THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: CA1963-1975