Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON CHRISTMAS EVE, ITALIANS SERVE FIVE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH.
THEY ARE SMELT, SHRIMP, EEL, COD AND SQUID SAUCE OVER SPAGHETTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 02-26-1979
A LITTLE CLOTH CONTAINING SALT AND TIED WITH RED RIBBON IS GIVEN TO
MOTHERS OF BABIES. THIS IS PLACED IN A BABY'S CRIB OR BUGGY.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMANT'S SISTER WAS GIVEN ONE OF THESE CLOTHS WHEN ONE
OF HER CHILDREN WAS BORN. SHE DID NOT USE THE CLOTH BECAUSE SHE
FELT THE CROSS SHE HAD IN THE BABY'S ROOM WAS THERE TO PROTECT
THE CHILD.
AMULET
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
AT WEDDINGS OR OTHER FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS CONFETTI, A TYPE OF
ALMOND CANDY, SUGAR COATED IS USED TO DECORATE SWEET TRAYS. AT
WEDDINGS, THIS IS THROWN AT THE BRIDE AND GROOM AS GOOD LUCK.
FOR GRADUATION THE RED COLORED ONES ARE USED TO WARD OFF EVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
HORN SHAPED PENDANT- "CORNICUE"
THIS PENDANT IS USUALLY MADE OF A PRECIOUS METAL, GOLD OR SILVER.
IT IS GIVEN TO ANOTHER AS AN AMULET OF GOOD LUCK. IT SHOULD NOT
BE PURCHASED BY THE ONE WHO IS TO WEAR IT. IT SHOULD BE RECIEVED
AS A GIFT. IT IS WORN AROUND THE NECK ON A CHAIN. IRONICALLY
SOME WEAR A CROSS WITH IT , TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
"FATTURA"
WISHING ILLNESS BY PLACING A LETTER STATING THIS IN A FEATHER
PILLOW. SICKNESS CAUSED A PERSON TO BE TOTALLY IMMOBLIZED AND
WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN IN BED. IF A PERSON WAS KNOWN TO HAVE CURSED
SOMEONE WITH SICKNESS, THEN SALT WAS THROWN AFTER THAT PERSON BY
THE PERSON WHO WAS CURSED (WITHOUT THEM SEEING IT DONE) WHEN
THE PERSON RECOVERED FROM THE ILLNESS.
Submitter comment: "FATTURA" MEANS CHARM OR SPELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-26-1979
EVIL EYE "MALOCCHIO"
A CURSE IS PLACED ON SOMEONE. TO FIND OUT IF A PERSON HAS IT
FIRST MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD THEN DROP OIL
INTO A BOWL CONTAINING WATER. IF THE OIL DISPERSES, THE PERSON
HAS THE CURSE. IF THE OIL COMES TO THE CENTER, THERE IS NONE.
CURSES ARE REMOVED BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD
THREE TIMES AND RECITING PRAYERS WITH INTENT FOR IT TO BE REMOVED.
Submitter comment: "MALOCCHIO" MEANS TO LOOK ASKANCE AT SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Conversions |
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
MADONNA
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ITALIAN EXPRESSION USUALLY SAID TO SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE
EXAGGERATING. THIS IS ALL THAT IS SAID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DESERT
CANNOLI-A FRIED PASTRY SHELL FILLED WITH SOME KIND OF PUDDING OR
CUSTARD. THE ENDS ARE DIPPED IN CANDY SPRINKLES OR NUTS, THEN
SPRINKLED WITH POWDERED SUGAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
FOOD
POLENTA-POOR MAN'S MEAL MADE OF CORN MEAL AND COVERED WITH
MEAT SAUCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Meat |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
FOOD
CANNELONI-PASTA TUBES FILLED WITH MEAT, COVERED WITH SAUCE, AND BAKED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PROVERB
VECCHIA CON LE CALZE ROSE. WITH OLD AGE YOU WEAR RED SOCKS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ITALIAN, USUALLY SAID WHEN AN OLDER PERSON IS OBVIOUSLY
TRYING TO LOOK YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GESTURE
CUPPING YOUR FINGERS AND THUMB TOGETHER, THEN WAVING YOUR HAND UP
AND DOWN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN ITALIAN GESTURE MEANING WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
BELIEF CONCERNING CHRISTMAS
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU ARE SPANKED ON CHRISTMAS EVE, YOU WILL BE
SPANKED ALL YEAR LONG. I GUESS WE WERE TOLD THIS TO BE EXTRA GOOD
ALL DAY LONG IN PREPARATION FOR CHRIST'S BIRTH, AND ALSO SO AS TO
STAY OUT OF THE BUSY MOTHERS' WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Entry filtered.
THE BLACK LINE
A BLACK LINE IN THE CEMENT OF A SIDEWALK IS A LINE TO AVOID.
IF YOU SHOULD PURPOSELY STEP ON A BLACK LINE YOU WILL GET COOTIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; SIGN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-03-1968
WHISTELING
WHISTLING GIRLS AND CACKLING HENS ALWAYS COME TO SOME BAD ENDS.
LADIES DONT WHISTLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: CA02001980
FROM WEDDINGS TO CHRISTENINGS
IN THE EVENT OF A SON MARRYING IN THE FAMILY, THE GROOMS MOTHER
GIVES THE BRIDE A WHITE LINEN HANDKERCHIEF TO CARRY AT HER
WEDDING. AFTER THE WEDDING IS OVER, THE BRIDE GIVES IT BACK TO
HER MOTHER-IN-LAW. IT IS THEN CLEANED AND PRESSED . IN THE EVENT
OF THE FIRST CHILD BORN TO THE COUPLE, THE HANDKERCHIEF IS FOLDED
INTO A BABYS BONNET AND WORN AT THE CHRISTENING.
AFTER THIS IS OVER, THE BONNET IS PUT AWAY UNTIL HE OR SHE GETS
MARRIED AND IT IS UNFOLDED AND PASSED TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: CA02001980
ASURING GOOD WEATHER FOR A WEDDING
ON THE DAY OF A WEDDING IN YOUR FAMILY, TO INSURE THAT IT WILL NOT
RAIN, THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO HANG A ROSARY IN THE TREE IN THE
BACKYARD. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THE LORD WOULD NEVER RAIN
ON THE ROSARY AND HAPPY THE BRIDE THE SUN SHINES ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through |
Date learned: CA02001980
GESTURE
FLIPPING THE BACK OF YOUR HAND OFF YOUR CHIN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS ITALIAN, MEANING GO TO HELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
WHISTLING IN THE DRESSINGROOMS.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WHISTLE IN THE DRESSINGROOMS.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE SEEN THIS IN ACTION. I WAS AT ONE TIME IN A PLAY AT
GREENFIELD VILLAGE. DURING INTERMISSION I WAS IN THE
DRESSINGROOM, AND SOMEONE WAS WHISTLING. SOMEONE CAME IN AND
SAID THAT THIS WAS A BAD THING TO DO, BUT THE PERSON
JUST LAUGHED. THAT NIGHT DURING A DANCE ROUTINE, I ALMOST SLIPPED
AND FELL DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979