Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION
IF A GIRL PUTS A SLIP ON INSIDE-OUT AND DOESN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL
THE DAY IS THROUGH, SHE MAY MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 12-24-1963
ITALIAN AND FRENCH SUPERSTITION
NEVER CROSS YOUR FORK AND KNIFE AFTER A MEAL OR TERRIBLE
FORTUNE WILL COME YOUR WAY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE TRAVELLING IN EUROPE 1959-1961.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-24-1963
JAMAICAN SUPERSTITION
IT'S BAD LUCK TO SWEEP THE HOUSE AFTER 6 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A LADY-FRIEND FROM JAMAICA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
NECK
IF YOU HAVE A STIFF NECK, HAVE A LEFT-HANDED PERSON CRACK IT FOR YOU.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
Keyword(s): LEFT HANDEDNESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
IF A WOMAN OPENS AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE, SHE WILL
NEVER MARRY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
FOR GOOD LUCK, (IN THE THEATER) KICK SOMEONE ON
EITHER SIDE OF HIS REAR-END BEFORE A PERFORMANCE.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED WHILE DANCING PROFESSIONALLY IN NEW YORK
CITY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Secular BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 12-24-1963
JAMAICAN
IF A WOMAN PUTS A DRESS ON BACKWARDS, SHE MUST NEVER
CHANGE IT UNTIL 12 MIDNIGHT, OR IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A LADY FRIEND FROM JAMAICA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Conversions Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
IF YOU SPILL SALT, THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT
SHOULDER AND SOME INTO THE FIRE, OR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
IF YOU'RE GOING SOMEPLACE AND YOU SUDDENLY REALIZE
THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING, BEFORE RETURNING
HOME, COUNT TO TEN OR BAD LUCK FOLLOWS.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness BELIEF -- Conversions Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
CURE--JAMAICAN
IF A BABY HAS HICCUPS, TO CURE HIM YOU MUST PLACE A WET
CLOTH ON HIS FOREHEAD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A LADY-FRIEND FROM JAMAICA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
JAMAICAN SUPERSTITION
WHEN A WOMAN'S HUSBAND DIES, SHE MUST IMMEDIATELY PUT
ON BLACK PANTIES. TO CARRY THEM ON HER ALWAYS
IS A GOOD IDEA.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A JAMAICAN LADY-FRIEND.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
JAMAICAN SUPERSTITIONS
IF YOU SEE A CHICKEN FLY UP SUDDENLY AND THEN DROP
DOWN DEAD IMMEDIATELY, IT MEANS SOMEONE HAS JUST DIED.
(OR WOULD HAVE DIED).
WHEN A DOG HOWLS AT NIGHT, IT MEANS A DEATH OF SOMEONE.
IF A PERSON DIES, REMOVE ALL HIS CLOTHES FROM THE ROOM
THAT HE DIED IN OR ELSE HE WILL RETURN EVERY NIGHT
TO TRY THEM ON.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A LADY FRIEND FROM JAMAICA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
ITALIAN SUPERTITION
NEVER PLACE THE FOOT OF YOUR BED FACING THE FRONT DOOR
OF YOUR HOUSE, OR YOU MAY WAKE UP DEAD. (WHEN FUNERALS
USED TO BE HELD IN THE HOME, THE COFFIN WAS ALWAYS
PLACED THAT WAY.)
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE TRAVELLING IN ITALY, 1960.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-24-1963 ; 00-00-1960
JAMAICAN SUPERSTITION
NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON THE SEA, BECAUSE IT WILL BECOME
ANGRY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A LADY-FRIEND FROM JAMAICA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Still water Large body. |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
"Engine, engine, number nine
Going down Chicago line
If the train falls off the track,
Do you want your money back?"
An answer of yes or no is given, then it is spelled out.
You'd say "O-U-T spells out and you are not it."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
As a counting out rhyme, it can be used by itself or
added on to the end of another:
"My mother said to pick the very best one and
you are not it."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001975 ca.
"Bubblegum, bubblegum in a dish,
How many pieces do you wish?"
A number would be specified, and then spelled out--
"O-N-E spells out and you are not it."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001975 ca.
"Cross down when Billy was one, he learned to suck his thumb,
Thumb yellow, thumb yellow, half past one.
Cross down when Billy was two, he learned to tie his shoe,
Shoe yellow, shoe yellow, half past two. Cross down" etc.
--when Billy was three, he learned to climb a tree.
--when Billy was four, he learned to shut the door.
--when Billy was five, he learned to do a dive.
--when Billy was six, he learned to pick up sticks.
--when Billy was seven, he learned to pray to heaven.
--when Billy was eight, he learned to shut the gate.
--when Billy was nine, he learned to draw a line.
--when Billy was ten, he learned to pluck a hen.
Submitter comment: This is a song with clapping done by two people.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE ; CHAIN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 00001977 ca.
This was a saying around my house when someone bent over
and their underwear was showing:
"I see London, I see France,
I see David's underpants.
Not too big, not too small,
Just the size of a cannon ball."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.360 SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001977 ca.
This game is played with a number of people lined up on
one end of a driveway or front lawn, and one person ("it")
stands at the other end with his back turned to the others.
The person who is "it" will yell "green light" followed by
any other color he wishes but red. When "green light" is
heard, the others begin to advance toward "it" as fast or
as slow as he wishes. When "it" wants to, he will yell out
"red light" and turn around. Everyone advancing must freeze
when they hear "red light". When "it" turns around, if he
sees anyone moving, he sends them back to the beginning.
"It" then turns back around and play continues until
one of the contestants reaches "it." That person then
becomes it and play begins over again.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001975 ca.