Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ST. BRIDGET'S CROSS
THE HANGING OF ST BRIDGET'S CROSSOVER THE FRONT DOOR
INSURES GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO LIVE THERE
Submitter comment:
ST BRIDGET'S CROSS IS AN IRISH CUSTOM
DESIGNED AND FASHIONED FROM FRESH GREEN REEDS AND IS BLESSED
MUCH THE SAME WAY AS PALMS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA02001980
A MEMBER OF THE SOPHOMORE CLASS ALWAYS DROPS HIS LUNCH TRAY ON THE
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. IN THIS CUSTOM, ONE SOPHOMORE ALWAYS DROPS HIS
LUNCH TRAY ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. HE RECEIVES A STANDING
OVATION. IF NO MEMBER OF THE SOPHOMORE CLASS DROPS HIS TRAY
ACCIDENTALLY, AN UPPERCLASSMEN (SIC) HELPS HIM. THIS HAS HAPPENED
EVERY YEAR SINCE 1962.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW A FELLOW STUDENT DO IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: |
Date learned: FALL 1967
SINGING AT THE DINNER TABLE IS BAD LUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Bad luck |
NIGHTGOWNS
THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE ALWAYS BUYS HER DAUGHTERS NIGHT GOWN FOR HER
WEDDING NIGHT. IT IS CONSIDERED AN INSULT IF ANYONE ELSE BUYS IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA02001980
HOPECHESTS
IN AN ITALIAN FAMILY WHEN A GIRL IS BORN HER HOPE CHEST IS STARTED
FOR HER ON THAT VERY DAY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: CA02001980
DATEING
WHEN GOING OUT WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS
ALWAYS CARRY AN APPLE, A MAGAZINE, AND A ROSARY.
AN APPLE IN CASE A BOY TRIES TO KISS YOU
A MAGAZINE IN CASE YOU HAVE TO SIT ON A BOYS LAP
AND A ROSARY TO PRAY FOR HIS SOUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA02001980
NAME CALLING
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA02001980
WHISTLING
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WHISTLE IN A DRESSING ROOM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA02001980
"BLOODY MARY" (BRAVERY GAME)
A TEST OF BRAVERY IN MY GRADE SCHOOL WOULD BE A GAME CALLED
"BLOODY MARY".
FIRST, ONE WOULD GO INTO A SCHOOL BATHROOM, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS
AND FILL THE SINK WITH WATER. AFTER STARING INTO THE WATER FOR
THIRTY SECONDS, ONE WOULD QUICKLY LOOK INTO A MIRROR IN HOPE OF
SEEING THE GHOST OF "BLOODY MARY" STABBING HERSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; CASS ELEMENTARY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001970
ENGAGEMENT RINGS
AN ITALIAN CUSTOM SAYS THAT A GIRL NEVER WEARS A RING ON HER HAND
UNTIL IT IS AN ENGAGEMENT RING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA02001980
NEW YEAR'S VISITOR
IF THE FIRST PERSON TO VISIT YOUR HOME
HAS DARK HAIR, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK
ALL YEAR. IF HE IS FAIR, POOR LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F690 F690.1231 BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
PROVERB
HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOP SCOTCH
TO PLAY THE GAME ON THE DIAGRAM BELOW, (ON 5 X 8 CARD)
THEY TOOK SOMETHING HEAVY, LIKE A ROCK OR A METAL
WASHER, AND THREW IT ON THE NUMBERS IN SEQUENCE.
YOU HAD TO HOP TO YOUR NUMBER AND LAND ON IT, PICK UP
THE OBJECT AND THEN HOP BACK. THEN YOU THREW IT
ON THE NEXT NUMBER IN SEQUENCE UNTIL THERE WERE NO
MORE. WHEN YOU DID THIS WITHOUT DROPPING YOUR MARKER
OR HOPPING ON A LINE, YOU WON. IF YOU HOPPED ON A
LINE OR DROPPED THE MARKER, YOU LOST YOUR TURN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER DIAGRAM OF THE SAME GAME WITH THE
SAME RULES. THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE
NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FAMILY GOES TO CHURCH AROUND 11
O'CLOCK FOR SERVICES AND THEN RETURNS AROUND MIDNIGHT TO
EAT SUPPER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, ALL OF THE FANCY PRESENTS ARE PLACED
UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE. IN THE MORNING, JUST BEFORE
THE CHILDREN OPEN THE GIFTS, THE ONES WRAPPED IN NEWSPAPER
ARE BROUGHT OUT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
EVERY CHRISTMAS SINCE THEY WERE CHILDREN, THE KLINGENSMITHS
HAVE OPENED THEIR GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BERMUDA DAY
ON THIS DAY, ALL MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT BODY COME TO
SCHOOL IN BERMUDA SHORTS. IT USUALLY OCCURS TOWARDS
THE END OF MAY WHEN THE STUDENTS GET THEIR YEARBOOKS.
EVERYONE LIES ON THE FLOOR AND SIGNS YEARBOOKS.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW SOME FELLOW STUDENTS DO IT.
Where learned: FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
"LET US ENDEAVOR SO TO LIVE THAT WHEN WE COME TO DIE,
EVEN THE UNDERTAKER WILL BE SORRY."
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TAKEN FROM A TELEVISION SPECIAL ON THE LIFE
OF MARK TWAIN A FEW MONTHS BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
Entry filtered.
INDICATOR OF MORE THAN ONE MARRIAGE
IF A MAN HAS A DIMPLE IN HIS CHIN,
THIS SHOWS THAT HE WILL BE MARRIED MORE THAN ONCE IN HIS LIFETIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) |
Date learned: 04-03-1970