Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
IDLE HANDS MAKE WORK FOR THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
UKRAINIAN NATIONAL FLAG
THE TRADITIONAL FLAG IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS HORIZONTALLY
WITH THE TOP HALF BEING LIGHT BLUE AND THE BOTTOM YELLOW.
THE BLUE REFLECTS THE SKY AND THE YELLOW SIGNIFIES THE
GOLDEN WHEAT FIELDS OF UKRAINE. THE FLAG IS DISPLAYED IN
UKRAINIAN CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND HALLS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Finished Product BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001950S
BELIEF
"IF AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR IS ROCKING, SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO GET REAL UPSET IF SOMEONE MADE THE
CHAIR ROCK DELIBERATELY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ROCKING CHAIR
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001965CA
TRADITION
"ON CHRISTMAS EVE MY FAMILY AND I GO TO MIDNIGHT MASS AND THEN
WE COME HOME AND HAVE ITALIAN SAUSAGE COOKED IN WINE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS DONE THIS AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER. SHE SAID
SHE BELIEVES HER FATHER STARTED THIS SINCE HE IS ITALIAN.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Date learned: 00001965CA
"ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MARDI GRAS MY MOTHER MAKES FOSHNUTS
(WHICH IS A TYPE OF FRIED DOUGHNUT) FOR GOOD LUCK."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER WILL ONLY MAKE THEM ON THAT DAY.
SHE SAID THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY CRAVE AND WANT THEM, HER
MOTHER WILL NOT MAKE THEM.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras BELIEF -- Good luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 00001965CA
BELIEF
"IF A BRIDE'S VEIL GETS TORN, IT MEANS THAT THE MARRIAGE WILL BE
A HAPPY ONE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS STORY. HER MOTHER TOLD HER THAT SHE BORROWED A VEIL FOR HER WEDDING. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE VEIL
SHE FELT REAL BAD BECAUSE SHE HAD RIPPED THE VEIL; HOWEVER, THE
LADY SHE BORROWED IT FROM WAS REAL HAPPY BECAUSE IT MEANT THAT SHE
(INFORMANT'S MOTHER) WAS GOING TO HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER SAID THAT SHE KNEW PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY RIPPED
THEIR VEIL ON PURPOSE SO THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001965CA
"MY PARENTS WERE GIVEN AN ANNIVERSARY CHALICE ON THEIR WEDDING
DAY. EVERY YEAR ON THEIR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY THE CHALICE IS FILLED
WITH WINE AND EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY DRINKS FROM IT."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ENJOYS THIS AND WANTS TO RECEIVE AN ANNIVERSARY CHALICE
FOR HER WEDDING TOO.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANNIVERSARY CHALICE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 00001965CA
GHOST STORY
"AFTER MY GRANDFATHER DIED STRANGE THINGS HAPPENED AROUND MY
HOUSE (DOORS STARTED POPPING OPEN, STRANGE NOISES, ETC.). MY
OLDER SISTER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY GRANDFATHER."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
GHOST STORY
"A GUY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND HOME FROM A PARTY LATE ONE NIGHT.
THEY WERE GOING REAL FAST BECAUSE SHE WAS ALREADY LATE. THEY TOOK
A SHORT CUT AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A MAN. HIS HEAD
AND FACE WERE BLEEDING SO THE GUY STOPPED (HE WAS DRIVING REAL
FAST SO WHEN HE STOPPED, HE WAS BEHIND THE MAN). HE GOT OUT TO SEE
IF THE MAN WAS ALL RIGHT, BUT THE MAN HAD DISAPPEARED."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER BOYFRIEND WHO WAS FROM
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. HE SAID THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF GHOST
STORIES GOING AROUND THERE BECAUSE OF AND ABOUT DEAD SLAVES.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ROAD GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
GHOST STORY
"A FRIEND OF MY BOYFRIEND'S MOVED INTO A HOUSE THAT USED TO BE
OWNED BY A COLONEL IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY. ONE NIGHT WHEN MY
BOYFRIEND'S FRIEND'S PARENTS WERE OUT OF TOWN, MY BOYFRIEND WENT
OVER THERE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. HIS FRIEND WAS AFRAID OF THE HOUSE.
HE SAID THAT HE HEARD WEIRD NOISES ALL THE TIME. SO, THE TWO OF
THEM MADE AN AGREEMENT; THEY WOULD SLEEP IN SEPARATE BEDROOMS AND
IF EITHER OF THEM HEARD OR SAW ANYTHING, THEY WOULD WRITE IT DOWN
AND SHOW IT TO EACH OTHER (THIS WAS ACTUALLY IN FUN BECAUSE THEY
DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT TO SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING). HOWEVER, AS THEY
WERE GOING UP TO THEIR ROOMS, THEY SAW A MAN DRESSED IN A
CONFEDERATE'S UNIFORM. EACH OF THEM RAN INTO A ROOM AND WROTE
DOWN WHAT THEY SAW--THEY SAW THE SAME THING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY
SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE THAT NIGHT."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): CONFEDERATE GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT WHEN MY BOYFRIEND WAS LITTLE, HE WAS LYING IN BED AND
HE SAW HIS CLOSET DOOR OPEN. IN HIS CLOSET STOOD HIS GRANDFATHER
(WHO LIVED IN ANOTHER STATE). HIS GRANDFATHER SAID, 'I'VE COME TO
SAY GOODBYE' AND DISAPPEARED. HE LOOKED AT HIS CLOCK AND DIS-
COVERED IN THE MORNING THAT HE HAD SAW HIS GRANDFATHER'S IMAGE
ONE MINUTE BEFORE HE HAD DIED."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT TO THIS DAY HER BOYFRIEND IS AFRAID OF
CLOSETS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): DEAD GRANDFATHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001979CA
GHOST STORY
"MY BOYFRIEND'S FATHER DIED WHEN MY BOYFRIEND'S SON WAS A COUPLE
OF MONTHS OLD. AS J. R. (MY BOYFRIEND'S SON) GOT OLDER HE COULD
REMEMBER WHAT HIS DEAD GRANDFATHER LOOKED LIKE. MIKE, MY BOYFRIEND,
SAID THAT HE WOULD HEAR ONE-SIDED CONVERSATIONS COMING FROM J.R.'S
BEDROOM ALL OF THE TIME. FINALLY, MIKE WENT INTO THE ROOM WHEN HE
HEARD J.R. TALKING. IN J.R.'S ROOM WAS HIS GRANDFATHER'S ROCKING
CHAIR. THE CHAIR WAS ROCKING AND J.R. WAS TALKING DIRECTLY TO IT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001979CA
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT MY BOYFRIEND MIKE SAID THAT HE SAW HIS DEAD FATHER'S
GHOST AT THE FOOT OF HIS BED."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT HER BOYFRIEND BELIEVES THAT HIS FATHER CAME
BACK FROM THE GRAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS ALL RIGHT IN
HIS SON'S LIFE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001979CA
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT WHEN I SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE, I KEPT
HEARING STRANGE CAT NOISES. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO GET UP AND LOOK
TO SEE WHERE THE NOISES WERE COMING FROM AND I DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE
UP MIKE, SO I WENT BACK TO SLEEP. IN THE MORNING I ASKED MIKE IF
ANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS HAD A CAT; HE SAID NO. HE SAID THAT HE USED
TO HAVE A CAT THOUGH AND THAT IT HAD DIED. HE SAID THAT IT
PROBABLY CAME BACK TO VISIT HIM."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER BOYFRIEND FIRMLY BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMAL GHOST ; CAT GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
JOKE
"A LITTLE BOY IS SAYING HIS PRAYERS AND HIS PARENTS ARE
LISTENING. HE SAYS,'GOD BLESS MOMMY, GOD BLESS DADDY, AND
GOODBYE GRANDPA.' THE NEXT DAY THE GRANDFATHER DIES. THAT
NIGHT WHEN THE BOY IS SAYING HIS PRAYERS HE SAYS, 'GOD BLESS
MOMMY, GOODBYE DADDY.' THIS FRIGHTENS THE FATHER AND HE IS VERY
CAUTIOUS THE NEXT DAY. HE IS CAREFUL TO AND FROM WORK, HE IS
CAREFUL AT WORK, AND WHEN HE GOES OUT FOR LUNCH HE IS VERY CAREFUL
TOO. THAT NIGHT WHEN HE IS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, HE IS VERY
HAPPY BECAUSE HE REALIZES THAT, SINCE HE IS STILL ALIVE, IT
MEANS THAT HIS SON DOESN'T HAVE ANY POWERS. WHEN HE GETS HOME
AND GETS OUT OF HIS CAR, HE FINDS THE MAILMAN DEAD ON HIS PORCH."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
JOKE
"ONE NIGHT A LITTLE BOY WAS SAYING HIS PRAYERS AND HIS
PARENTS WERE LISTENING TO HIM AS HE NAMED OFF ALL OF
THE PEOPLE HE WANTED GOD TO BLESS. HE SAID, 'GOD BLESS
MOMMY. GOD BLESS DADDY. GOODBYE GRANDPA.' HIS PARENTS WERE
VERY UPSET BY THIS BUT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO THE BOY.
THE NEXT DAY THE FATHER LEARNED THAT HIS FATHER HAD PASSED AWAY.
THIS SCARED THE FATHER TERRIBLY. HE THOUGHT THAT HIS SON
MAY HAVE SOME KIND OF PSYCHIC POWER. WELL, THAT NIGHT
WHEN THE LITTLE BOY WAS SAYING HIS PRAYERS HE SAID, 'GOD
BLESS MOMMY. GOODBYE DADDY.' THIS FRIGHTENED THE FATHER
TERRIBLY AND THE FOLLOWING DAY HE WAS VERY CAUTIOUS. HE
WAS VERY CAREFUL DRIVING TO WORK, HE WAS VERY CAREFUL AT
WORK, ETC. SO THAT NIGHT WHEN HE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM
WORK, HE DECIDED THAT HIS SON WASN'T PSYCHIC AFTER ALL AND
THAT HE WAS JUST OVERACTING. HE WAS STILL ALIVE, WASN'T HE?
SO THE MAN PULLED UP INTO HIS GARAGE, WHISTLING TO
HIMSELF AND VERY HAPPY. BUT WHEN HE REACHED HIS PORCHED
HE STOPPED COLD--THERE LYING DEAD ON THE PORCH WAS THE MAILMAN!
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00001965CA
JOY AND TEMPERANCE AND REPOSE
SLAM THE DOOR ON THE DOCTOR'S NOSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SAYING THAT MY INFORMANT LEARNED FROM
HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): BATHOS ANTILLIMAY ; CONTRAST ; SURPRISE
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
IF A BLACK CAT RUNS ACROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU,
THAT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THAT DAY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
AND IF A CAT SAT WASHING HER FACE WITH HER PAW, THE FIRST
(PERSON) SHE LOOKED AT WOULD BE THE FIRST OF THE FAMILY
TO DIE. SO NOW I AM HAPPY TO SAY THERE ARE NO CATS
IN MY HOUSE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
PROVERB
THE MAN WHO BECOMES SUCCESSFUL OWES IT TO HIMSELF.
THEN HE OWES IT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; TAXATION OF WEALTH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-11-1972