Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN A GIRL HAS VERY LONG HAIR; AND IS VERY SKINNY; CUT HER HAIR AND
SHE WILL GAIN WEIGHT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy |
IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET AND YOU DON'T SPIT ON THE BROOM;
YOU'LL GO TO JAIL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF YOU STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE; ITS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION LEFT ; STUB YOUR TOE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN A PERSON DIES AND IT RAINS ON HIS CASKET; THE COFFIN IS BEING
BLESSED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A PERSON DREAMS OF FISH; THIS MEANS SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WILL HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about animals |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF YOU HAVE A RABBIT'S FOOT, THAT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY A VERY GOOD FRIEND.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.3 |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
WEARING A RING ON THE WEDDING FINGER IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling about birth and life BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN IT IS THUNDERING AND LIGHTENING AND RAINING AT THE SAME TIME
THIS MEANS THE DEVIL IS BEATING HIS WIFE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Spiritual beings, things, or places BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER A PERSON'S HOUSE ON MONDAY MORNING,
SHOULD BE A MALE OR OTHERWISE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE
WEEK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN TWO PEOPLE WALK DOWN THE STREET AND SPLIT POLES; IT'S BAD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH TO THE RIGHT, THAT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.3 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A WOMAN WASHES HER HAIR IN THE FIRST RAIN IN MAY; THE RAIN WILL
MAKE HER HAIR GROW.
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT HER MOTHER DID EVERY FIRST RAIN IN MAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
THIRTEEN IS AN UNLUCKY NUMBER.
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT SHE SAYS, BUT I THINK THIS IS A LUCKY NUMBER FOR ME.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Good luck P881.5 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.5 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A PERSON GETS HIT WITH A BROOM THAT MEANS HE'S GOING TO JAIL.
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE BELIEVE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF SOMEONE SPILLS SALT; THAT MEANS SOMEBODY IS GOING TO FIGHT.
Submitter comment: I FIND THAT MOST BLACK PEOPLE CAN TELL THIS ONE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND A SNAKE SCARES HER; THAT MEANS HER BABY
WILL SUPPOSEDLY LOOK LIKE A SNAKE
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT OLD MID-WIVES TOLD IN THE SOUTH
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A PERSON'S EAR ITCHES THAT MEANS SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT HIM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID WHILE SCRATCHING HER EAR
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHAT A PERSON IS DOING WHEN THE NEW YEAR FIRST STARTS,
IS WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
EXAMPLE: IF YOU'RE WASHING CLOTHES WHEN IT STARTS YOU'LL BE
WASHING CLOTHES THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
MOST PEOPLE SAY WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO, AND NOT DO, FOR A NEW
YEAR'S RESOLUTION. THIS HAPPENS THE FIRST PART OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, ALL THE RELATIVES VISIT. THE KIDS SHOOT OFF
FIRECRACKERS AND EACH CHILD GETS A PRETZEL ON A STICK FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 03-00-1982