Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE PERSON GREETS HIS FRIEND, THEN PUTS HIS HAND ON
THE PERSON'S BACK, SAYING: GUESS WHO'S BACK!
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
FRIGHTENED IN CEMETERY
PENNY HAD HEARD A STORY ABOUT A BOY WHO DISAPPEARED
YEARS AGO NEAR HER HOME IN ENGLAND. IT SEEMS A GROUP
OF BOYS HAD BEEN PLAYING NEAR A CEMETERY UNTIL LATE
AT NIGHT. THEY HAD BEEN TELLING THOST STORIES AND
HAD ALL GOTTEN PRETTY FRIGHTENED. WHEN THE GROUP
BROKE UP, ONE YOUTH HAD TO GO THROUGH THE CEMETERY
TO GET HOME. HE STARTED TO RUN AND HIS SHIRT CAUGHT
ON A TOMBSTONE. HE NEVER HAD THE COURAGE TO LOOK
BACK AND WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY DEAD BUT STILL
CAUGHT ON THE STONE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
INDIFFERENCE
SIX OF ONE, HALF DOZEN OF ANOTHER.
Submitter comment: USED TO DENOTE INDIFFERENCE AS TO WHICH ALTERNATIVE TO USE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-30-1970
BIRTH
AFTER CHRISTENING, THE GODPARENTS COME TO THE
MOTHER WITH THE CHILD AND SAY: "WE TOOK TO CHURCH A
JEW AND BROUGHT BACK A CHRISTIAN."
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM POLISH.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
FORMULA THAT 2 PEOPLE SAY IN A FUNERAL HOME:
PERSON NO. 1: GOD FORGIVE HIM.
PERSON NO. 2: MAY HE BE FORGIVEN.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
PUT-DOWN
THERE ONCE WAS A MAN WHO WAS PUT DOWN SO LOW, HE HAD
TO PARACHUTE OFF A DIME.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-20-1968
CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE POLISH CHILDREN WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO
HOUSE KNOCKING ON THE DOORS. THE PEOPLE INVITED THEM INSIDE
WHERE ONE OF THE CHILDREN WOULD BRUSH THE PERSON ACROSS THE ANKLES
WITH A SWITCH WHILE THE OTHERS RECITED A SPECIAL GROUP OF WORDS.
WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED, THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WOULD GIVE THEM
A BLESSED EGG, A PIECE OF CANDY, OR IN MOST CASES, MONEY.
THIS WAS CALLED DINGUS DAY, THE NAME DERIVED FROM THE WORDS RECITED;
DINGUS, DINGUS, PODINGUS...
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; RITUAL SPEECH ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
DRUNK WITH WORDS MAXIM ; RETORT
YOU ARE INTOXICATED WITH THE VIVACITY OF YOUR OWN
VERBOSITY.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
DRUNK WITH WORDS MAXIM ; RETORT
XYZ (MEANING EXAMINE YOUR ZIPPER).
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU MUST TOSS SOME SALT OVER
YOUR LEFT SHOULDER, OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: MISS MAYER LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
PREGNANCY SUPERSTITION
A PREGNANT WOMAN MUST EAT FOR TWO.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
A MOTHER MUST LOSE A TOOTH FOR EACH CHILD SHE BRINGS
INTO THIS WORLD.
BABIES BORN TO PARENTS OF MATURE YEARS, ARE MORE
LIKELY TO HAVE BRILLIANT MINDS.
Submitter comment: FROM NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
UNWED GIRL THROWS BALL OF YARN AT MIDNIGHT THROUGH
WINDOW AND PULLS IT IN, WHOEVER IS AT THE END, IS HER
FUTURE HUSBAND.
Submitter comment: FROM NEIGHBORS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
FRIDAY-BAD LUCK
NEVER START A PROJECT ON A FRIDAY. EITHER YOU WILL
NEVER FINISH IT OR IT WILL END IN DISASTER.
Submitter comment:
TOBY LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD FROM HER HUNGARIAN
MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Bad luck |
IF YOUR RIGHT EAR RINGS, SOMEONE IS SAYING SOMETHING
NICE ABOUT YOU; IF YOUR LEFT EAR RINGS, SOMEONE IS
SAYING SOMETHING BAD ABOUT YOU.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS AS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE, AND THERE WILL BE A
DEATH. MM
IF THERE IS ONE DEATH IN THE FAMILY, TWO MORE WILL
FOLLOW WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD.
Submitter comment: MRS. COLEMAN LEARNED THIS IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
IF A SPIDER DROPS DOWN ON YOUR TABLE WHILE DINNER
IS BEING SERVED, IT MEANS THAT YOU WILL HAVE COMPANY
FOR THE NEXT MEAL.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
IF YOU WEAR YOUR RUBBERS IN SCHOOL, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR
EYESIGHT.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS BELIEF AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
IF THE HEM OF YOUR SKIRT IS TURNED UP, YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1963