Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE FIRST TO STEP ACROSS THE PORCH MUST BE A
MALE OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, DO ONLY THOSE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN THE
REST OF THE YEAR. DO NOT PAY BILLS OR YOU WILL BE PAYING BILLS
ALL YEAR. DO NOT DO ANY HARD WORK OR YOU WILL END UP WORKING HARD
ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
MAY YOUR DAY BE BRIGHT
MAY YOUR LIFE BE IN CLOVER
MAY EVERYTHING TURN OUT RIGHT
AND MAY YOUR TOILET NEVER RUN OVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IT IS NOT THIS CANDLE ALONE I STICK
BUT MY LOVE'S HEART I MEAN TO PRICK
IF (INSERT ANY NAME) BE ASLEEP OR AWAKE
I'LL HAVE (INSERT ANY NAME) COME TO ME AND SPEAK.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE TO BRING YOUR LOVER TO YOU. YOU SAY THIS
WHILE STICKING PINS INTO A CANDLE.
INFORMANT SAW THIS IN A MAGAZINE AND WROTE IT
DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
KEEP YOUR SKIRTTAIL DOWN AND YOUR UNDERWEAR UP.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT HER MOTHER USED TO GIVE HER THIS ADVICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B545 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
NEVER GIVE YOUR LOVE A WATCH
IT WILL TICK YOUR LOVE AWAY.
NEVER BUY YOUR LOVE SHOES
YOUR LOVE WILL WALK OUT OF YOUR LIFE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT SHE FOLLOWS THIS ADVICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-00-1982
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GO SWIMMING BEFORE THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN THE
BAPTIST, (JUNE 24)
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
BURN PALMS DURING A STORM TO BRING ABOUT BETTER WEATHER
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
METHOD OF CURING
WASH YOUR FACE IN THE MORNING DEW
AND YOU WILL GET RID OF FRECKLES.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT MATTHEWS CHURCH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
FORMULA SPEECH
THE WEATHER IN WASHINGTON DC IS NOTORIOUS FOR QUICK CHANGES.
TOURISTS ARE TOLD UPON ASKING ABOUT IT, "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT
WAIT A MINUTE."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
CURE
REMEDY FOR ACHES AND PAINS RESULTING FROM PHYSICAL LABOR:
1 TABLESPOON TURPENTINE AND SUGAR; DRINK
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
WHEN YOU ACCIDENTALLY SPILL SALT, INFORMANT TAKES
A FEW GRAINS OF SALT AND THROWS IT OVER EACH
SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; GRADE SCHOOL ; REDFORD ; SAINT MARYS
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 02-12-1970
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
SOMETHING WHITE, USUALLY A LACY HANDKERCHIEF, IS PASSED ON
TO THE FEMALE MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY WHEN THEY GET MARRIED.
EACH FEMALE HAD WORN IT ON HER WEDDING DAY, AND SAVED IT FOR
THE NEXT TIME ANOTHER MEMBER WAS TO BE MARRIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 0001950S
RUGBY PARTY FESTIVITIES
AFTER HEAVY "BETTING" BT VETERANS FROM BOTH TEAMS, FOUR ROOKIES ARE
TRICKED INTO THIS FARCE. THE ROOKIES ARE CONVINCED THAT THIS IS
VERY IMPORTANT FOR TEAM PRIDE. THEY ARE TOLD THAT THE BIGGEST ONE
OF THEM IS TO PICK UP THE OTHER THREE. THE OTHER THREE ARE TIED
TOGETHER. EACH TEAM TRIES TO LIFT THE PLAYERS FASTER THAN THE
OTHER TEAM. WHEN THE CROWD IS AT A FEVER PITCH, THE COUNT OF
1, 2, 3 LIFT IS SHOUTED. AT THE WORD "LIFT" EVERYBODY AT THE PARTY
THROWS THEIR BEER ON THE UNSUSPECTING ROOKIES.
Submitter comment: THIS USUALLY BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER DIDN'T HAVE SUPPER ON TIME
USUALLY THE EXCUSE WAS THE BUTCHER GAVE HER A TOUGH PIECE OF
MEAT. OF COURSE, THE OVER THE FENCE GOSSIPING WITH NEIGHBORS
ALL AFTERNOON HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF WOMEN SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER USED TO CUT PAPER SQUARES,
ABOUT 8 INCHES BY 8 INCHES EXACT. THIS WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY
PAPERS HAD BEEEN READ. AFTER JUDGING THE PILE SHE SAID, "SON
ATTACH THIS PILE TO THE PEG IN THE OUTHOUSE."
Submitter comment: THESE PAPERS WERE USED AS TOILET PAPER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: NEWSPAPERS CONVERTED INTO TOILET PAPER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
JOSE
JOSE LIVED IN A SMALL MEXICAN VILLAGE AND WON A CONTEST TO SEE
FOR FREE A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME. THE VILLAGE BEING SMALL,
GOT HIM DRESSED AND PREPARED AND SENT HIM OFF WITH A BRASS BAND
ON HIS RETURN, THE CITIZENS GAVE HIM A HERO'S WELCOME. THEY WENT
TO THE SCHOOL SO HE COULD TELL THEM OF HIS VISIT AND EXPERIENCES
IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. HE MOST REMEMBERED WHEN 53,333 PEOPLE STOOD
UP BEFORE THE GAME AND SANG "JOSE CAN YOU SEE?".
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
GRANDPA TELLS WHEN HE WENT TO SCHOOL. HE WENT TO CHURCH EVERY
SUNDAY WITH HIS MOTHER, AFTER BOTH CAME HOME HE WOULD GET A SMACK
IN THE HEAD. HE WONDERED FOR A LONG TIME WHAT FOR. BUT AS HE GOT
OLDER HE KNEW THE NUNS AND MOTHER USED TO STAND TOGETHER AFTER
CHURCH AND WHAT WAS SPILLED BETWEEN THE TWO HE NEVER COULD FIND
OUT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
IT'S NOT THE COUGH THAT CARRIES YOU OFF, IT'S THE COFFIN THEY
CARRY YOU OFF IN.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS SAID AS A HUMOROUS EXPRESSION WHENEVER SOMEONE HAD A COUGH.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
GRANDMA'S DAYS, WAYBACK
SHE USED TO SEND THE SON TO THE BUTCHER SHOP AND TELL HIM TO BE
SURE AND GET A DOG BONE. THIS WAS USUALLY FOR FREE AND BEFORE THE
DAYS WHEN SAUSAGE WAS $2.00 A POUND. SO GRANDMA USED THE DOG BONE
TO FEED THE FAMILY FIRST WITH A GOOD SOUP OR STEW AND THE DOG
STILL HAD ENOUGH TO EAT AFTER TWO MEALS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RISE IN PRICES
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
