Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THERE WAS ONCE A GIRL TRAINING TO BE A NURSE. SHE
HAD ENTERED A CLASS ON DISSECTING CADAVERS AND
FELT QUEASY ABOUT TAKING THE COURSE, WHICH WAS RE-
QUIRED. OTHER TRAINEES WHO HAD REALIZED HER FEAR,
HAD PLANNED A PRACTICAL JOKE. THEY CUT AN ARM OFF
OF ONE OF THE CADAVERS AND REPLACED HER LAMP'S
PULLCORD WITH IT. LAMPS IN THOSE DAYS DAYS
UTILIZED A PULLCORD TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THEIR
INTENTIONS WERE SIMPLY TO INNOCENTLY SHOCK THE GIRL
AS SHE ENTERED HER ROOM AND TURNED THE LIGHT ON.
AS THE GIRLS AWAITED TO HEAR THE VICTIM'S REACTION
NOTHING HAPPENED AND THEY BEGAN TO WORRY. SO THEY
ENTERED HER ROOM, ONLY TO FIND IT EMPTY WITH A
GURGLING NOISE RISING FROM BENEATH THE BED. IN-
VESTIGATING, THEY FOUND THE STUDENT HUDDLED UNDER
THE BED GNAWING AT THE ARM, HAVING GONE MAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
THERE WAS ONCE A GIRL TRAINING TO BE A NURSE. SHE
HAD ENTERED A CLASS ON DISSECTING CADAVERS AND
FELT QUEASY ABOUT TAKING THE COURSE, WHICH WAS RE-
QUIRED. OTHER TRAINEES WHO HAD REALIZED HER FEAR,
HAD PLANNED A PRACTICAL JOKE. THEY CUT AN ARM OFF
OF ONE OF THE CADAVERS AND REPLACED HER LAMP'S
PULLCORD WITH IT. LAMPS IN THOSE DAYS DAYS
UTILIZED A PULLCORD TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THEIR
INTENTIONS WERE SIMPLY TO INNOCENTLY SHOCK THE GIRL
AS SHE ENTERED HER ROOM AND TURNED THE LIGHT ON.
AS THE GIRLS AWAITED TO HEAR THE VICTIM'S REACTION
NOTHING HAPPENED AND THEY BEGAN TO WORRY. SO THEY
ENTERED HER ROOM, ONLY TO FIND IT EMPTY WITH A
GURGLING NOISE RISING FROM BENEATH THE BED. IN-
VESTIGATING, THEY FOUND THE STUDENT HUDDLED UNDER
THE BED GNAWING AT THE ARM, HAVING GONE MAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
PUT A DANDELION UNDER YOUR CHIN AND IF YOUR CHIN
TURNS YELLOW, IT MEANS EITHER THAT YOU LIKE
BUTTER OR YOU'RE IN LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Chin BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD AT THE SAME TIME, YOU
CAN MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS BY MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
AFTER A WISHBONE FOR A TURKEY OR CHICKEN IS DRIED,
TWO PEOPLE GRASP BOTH SIDES OF IT AND PULL. THE
ONE THAT HAS THE WHOLE SIDE LEFT IS CONSIDERED
THE ONE TO GET HIS WISH.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS BEEN A CUSTOM IN OUR HOME SINCE I WAS
A LITTLE GIRL AND IN MY MOTHER'S HOME WHEN SHE
WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-14-1970
LITTLE, WHITE BRUISES UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS, SYMBOLIZE
LITTLE WHITE LIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS PROBABLY PASSED DOWN FROM FRIENDS OF MY
GRANDPARENTS OR MY GRANDPARENTS, WHICH I CANNOT PIN
DOWN. I JUST KNOW THAT I HAVE KNOWN THIS (SINCE)
CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
TO GET RID OF A WART: CUT A POTATO IN HALF, HOLD IT OVER YOUR
BACK, WALK OUT TO A RIVER BED, THEN THROW IT OVER YOUR
SHOULDER INTO THE RIVER WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER PLUGGING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
TO CURE A WART, CUT A POTATO IN HALF AND RUB ONE HALF ON THE
WART. AT MIDNIGHT THAT NIGHT, BURY BOTH PARTS OF THE POTATO.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD FRENCH CURE WHICH HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN IN
QUEBEC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; CANADA ; QUEBEC
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER PLUGGING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-19-1970
HARE KRISHNA'S BELIEVE IN NOT EATING MEAT BECAUSE IT REDUCES
THEM TO AN ANIMALISTIC STATE (IF THEY DO.)
Submitter comment:
MR. AYOTTE LEARNED THIS WHILE TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO
WANTED TO CONVERT HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
THE RIGHT OVARY PRODUCES GIRLS; LEFT OVARY PRODUCES BOYS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY FOUND THIS IN THE ANN LANDERS
COLUMN OF THE "DETROIT NEWS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FARMINGTON ; DETROIT ; CHORUS OFFICE
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A WHITE BRIDAL DRESS IS A SIGN OF PURITY.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS BEEN A BELIEF IN OUR FAMILY FOR AS LONG AS
MY MOTHER CAN REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
RED IS A MAGIC COLOR AND IF YOU WEAR SOMETHING RED ON
A DATE, YOUR DATE WILL SURELY LIKE YOU.
Submitter comment:
BILL WAS GOING ON A DATE AND HE WAS WEARING A RED
SHIRT. I COMPLIMENTED HIM ON THE SHIRT AND HE TOLD
ME ABOUT RED BEING A MAGIC COLOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
WHEN YOU GO OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, IF YOU PUT YOUR HANDS
ON TOP OF THE ROOF, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER BY ONE OF HER FRIENDS
AT SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Good luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
WHEN A GIRL IS INITIATED INTO A SORORITY, THEY HAVE
A CEREMONY WHERE ALL THE GIRLS ARE HOLDING HANDS IN A
CIRCLE AND THIS DENOTES THEY ARE ONE. WHEN THEY
BRING A NEW MEMBER IN FOR INITIATION, THE CIRCLE IS
BROKEN TO LET IN THIS MEMBER AND THIS SHOWS THAT
THEY ARE PART OF THE WHOLE NOW.
Submitter comment:
WHILE TALKING ABOUT SORORITIES ON CAMPUS WITH A
GIRL, SHE TOLD ME THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FARMINGTON ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
BIBLICAL CUSTOM: NO SEX FOR THREE DAYS AFTER
MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLED THIS CUSTOM AND ALSO NOTED
THAT IT WAS OBSERVED BY TINY TIM.
Data entry tech comment:
TINY TIM=AN ECCENTRIC ENTERTAINER POPULAR DURING
KC[ THE 1970S, APPROXIMATELY.
CN[ SCHIMMEL, SUE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage First night, honeymoon, and day after wedding |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN POLISH PEOPLE GIVE A WEDDING SHOWER, THEY DROP A
WEDDING RING IN THE CAKE. THE PERSON WHO GETS
THE PIECE WITH THE RING IN IT, IS THE NEXT ONE TO
GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM OF MANY YEARS.
TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER IN OUR HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bridal shower |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
SHE WAS ALWAYS TOLD BY HER MOM AND DAD THAT WHEN THEY
WERE SMALL THAT AFTER SOMEONE DIED THEY WOULD BE PUT
ON THE ROOF OF THEIR HOUSE AND STAY THERE FOR A DAY
OR SO IN ORDER THAT THE BAD SPIRITS WOULD BE TAKEN
OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
JEWISH CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WHEN A PERSON DIES, HE
SHOULD NOT BE BURIED WITH ANY MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
EXCEPT HIS CLOTHING, BECAUSE YOU CAME INTO THE WORLD
WITH NOTHING AND YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH NOTHING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF THAT ALL JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE KNOWN
FOR MANY YEARS. IT IS PART OF THEIR RELIGION.
TOLD TO ME BY MY UNCLE IN OUR HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
Early in the morning in the middle of the night
Two dead boys got up to fight
Back to back they faced each other
Drew their swords and shot each other
A deaf policeman heard the noise
And came and killed those two dead boys
And if you doubt this lie is true
Ask the blind man, he saw it too.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
EARLY IN THE MORNING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT
BACK TO BACK, THEY FACED EACH OTHER
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER
A DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE
AND CAME TO KILL THOSE TWO DEAD BOYS
AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE
ASK THE BLIND MAN, HE SAW IT, TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1974