Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 6958 returned 102 results.
YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT A CHICKEN ON CHRISTMAS BECAUSE A
CHICKEN PAWS THE GROUND BACKWARDS.
Submitter comment:
Therefore, harmonizing with the Christmas season, which leaves the year behind just as the chicken leaves the earth behind.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): Chicken ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2 |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
HERE'S TO THE TOP - - -
BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE BOTTOM,
IT WOULDN'T HOLD A DROP.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): DRINKING HUMOR
James Callow Keyword(s): GLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
IF YOU WENT OUT THE DOOR AND YOU FORGOT SOMETHING,
YOU YOURSELF COULD NOT GO BACK IN THE HOUSE FOR IT.
SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT OUT
TO YOU.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD IRISH CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
DEATH CUSTOM
AFTER A JEWISH FUNERAL THEY HAVE A "SHIVA" WHERE
THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY SIT ON LOW, BACKLESS,
STOOLS, SHOELESS, AND FRIENDS COME IN TO OFFER THEIR
CONDOLENCES AND VISIT FOR A WHILE WITH THE
BEREAVED FAMILY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
DEATH CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE A CUSTOM, AT AN OCCURRENCE OF
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, COVER UP ALL MIRRORS IN THEIR
HOME, SO AS NOT TO SEE THEIR REFLECTION AT MOURNING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
NEW HANDKERCHIEF
ONE OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, PLACED A
NEW HANDKERCHIEF OVER THE FACE OF THE DECEASED.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE HAIR (ON THE HEAD)
FROM GROWING OVER THE FACE AFTER DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DID NOT PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM, BUT SAW
RELATIVES DO IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-02-1972
AFTER A WEDDING THE BRIDE AND GROOM COME BACK TO
THE BRIDE'S HOME. THE BRIDE HAS TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR
AND WHEN ASKED WHO IS THERE, SHE MUST ANSWER BY HER
MARRIAGE NAME. THEN BOTH HER AND THE GROOM ARE GIVEN
A PIECE OF WHITE BREAD WITH SALT ON IT AND A GLASS OF
WINE. THIS IS TO SYMBOLIZE FOOD AND HAPPINESS IN THE
NEW MARRIAGE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
IT IS AN ITALIAN-AMERICAN CUSTOM AT WEDDINGS FOR
THE NEW BRIDE TO DANCE WITH ALL OF THE MEN AT THE
CELEBRATION. THE MEN, IN RETURN FOR THE PRIVILEGE,
PUT MONEY INTO THE APRON THE BRIDE WEARS FOR THE CUSTOM.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE CUSTOM AT A WEDDING
CELEBRATION IN SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: 10-04-1967
AT POLISH WEDDINGS THEY HAVE A SPECIAL DANCE.
THE YOUNGEST SISTER OF THE BRIDE STANDS IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR WITH AN APRON ON. ANYONE
AT THE WEDDING CAN GO UP AND PUT SOME MONEY IN THE
APRON AND DANCE WITH THE BRIDE.
Submitter comment: I SAW THIS DONE AT A FEW WEDDINGS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN A SLOVAKIAN GIRL BECOMES MARRIED, AT THE WEDDING
RECEPTION THEY PERFORM A "BRIDAL DANCE." A CEREMONY IS
PERFORMED BEFORE THE DANCE WHEREBY THE BRIDE'S MOTHER
REMOVES HER WEDDING VEIL AND TIES A WHITE RIBBON ON
HER HEAD. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS IS THAT THE BRIDE'S
MOTHER IS GIVING UP HER DAUGHTER TO HER NEW HUSBAND.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Circle singing |
Date learned: 04-01-1972
UPON THE COMPLETION OF A STEEL STRUCTURE, AN AMERICAN FLAG
IS PLACED ON THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE STRUCTURE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE TO SHOW EVERYONE THAT THE STEEL WORKERS'
WORK IS DONE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EAT A FRESH HAM ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT A FRESH HAM ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
BECAUSE THE PIG PUSHES THE DIRT AHEAD OF HIM. (SOMETHING
AHEAD).
Submitter comment:
THEREFORE, SAYS THE COLLECTOR, HARMONIZING WITH THE
DAY, WHICH PUSHES AHEAD INTO THE YEAR JUST AS THE PIG
PUSHES AHEAD INTO THE EARTH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
IRISH PEOPLE WOULD NOT LET ANYONE IN THE HOUSE ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY UNLESS THE FIRST ONE IN HAD DARK HAIR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
A MAN WITH BLACK HAIR SHOULD BE THE FIRST ONE IN THE
HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER BELIEVED FIRMLY IN THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
PUT CLEAN SHEETS ON THE BEDS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR A
CLEAN YEAR THROUGH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
A DARK-HAIRED MAN MUST BE THE FIRST TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
ON GOOD FRIDAY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12 NOON AND 3 P.M.
YOU SHOULD KEEP SILENT AND DO NOT USE THE RADIO, T.V.,
RECORD PLAYER, ETC.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
SWIENCONKA
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU TAKE THE FOOD TO CHURCH TO BE
BLESSED. YOU CAN'T EAT THIS FOOD UNTIL EASTER
SUNDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
SLOVAK
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU TAKE HARD BOILED EGGS TO THE
CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. ON SUNDAY MORNING YOU SHARE
THE EGGS AND WISH EACH OTHER A HAPPY EASTER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 04-00-1972