Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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EVIL EYE PREVENTION, (ITALIAN)
TO PREVENT THE "BAD EYE" A TRINKET
IN TE FORM OF A HAND
IN THE FORM OF A HAND WITH THE THUMB PLACED
BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS.
IT IS GOOD LUCK. IN ITALIAN IT IS CALLED "LO CORNNO FICO."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
EVIL EYE (ITALIAN)
IF AN ITALIAN FEARS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE "BAD EYE"
(USUALLY A HEADACHE IS INVOLVED).
YOU TAKE THREE SEPARATE DISHES OF COOL
WATER, EACH MUST BE GOTTEN IN THREE SEPARATE
TRIPS. THROW SALT IN EACH DISH IN THE
FORM OF A CROSS. TAKE A SMALL SPOON
WITH OIL AND DIP YOUR FINGERS IN THE OIL AND
DROP THREE SEPARATE DROPS IN EACH DISH,
WHILE THE DISH IS ON TOP OF THE EFFECTED PERSON'S HEAD.
WHILE DROPPING THE OIL THE PERSON EACH TIME
MAKES THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND RECITES
THE CREED. IF THE OIL SPREADS THIS MEANS
THE PERSON DID HAVE THE "EVIL EYE" AND
IT HAS BEEN COUNTERACTED, IF THE OIL
STAYS LUMPED HE NEVER HAD THE EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment:
SHE IS VERY DEFINITE THAT THIS REALLY WORKS
AND WAS ABLE TO RELATE INCIDENTS WHERE IT
HAS WORKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
HOLY THURSDAY
A CANDLE BLESSED IN THE CHURCH ON HOLY THURSDAY HAS A SPECIAL
MEANING FOR UKRAINIANS: IT IS BROUGHT OUT IN TIME OF GRAVE
DANGER AND PLACED LIGHTED BEFORE THE ICONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.32 |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
OMEN FOR A MARRIAGE PARTNER
ANY PERSON YOU GO OUT WITH FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A FRIDAY,
YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
INDICATOR OF INCREASED WEALTH
IF YOU HAVE AN ITCHY PALM
YOU WILL COME IN CONTACT WITH INCREASED FINANCES
WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY FOUR HOURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
VERSE
LITTLE JOHNNY TOOK A DRINK,
BUT HE SHALL DRINK NO MORE,
FOR WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS H2O
WAS H2SO4.
Submitter comment: TOLD AT INFORMANT,S HOME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CHEMICAL TERMS ; DIGITAL HUMOR ; EUPHEMISM ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 01-20-1970
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-00-1968
APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE. HOW MANY YEARS BEFORE I DIE?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-15-1968
REMEDY
COBWEBS WILL STOP A NOSEBLEED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
REMEDY
TO CURE INSOMNIA, PLACE A GOAT'S HORN UNDER YOUR PILLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
PLANT CUREALLS
MR. LEHR WAS OUT HUNTING ON HARSEN'S ISLAND. HE MET AN INDIAN WHO
TOLD HIM ABOUT A WONDERFUL CURE FOR ALL TYPES OF DISEASES, PARALYSIS,
ETC. THE INDIAN GAVE HIM SOME SMALL CLEAR CAPSULES. THE CAPSULES
SMELLED LIKE THE SAP FROM BALSAM TREES. BOTH HE AND I TOOK A CAPSULE
AND WE BOTH BURPED BALSAM TREE SMELL FOR TWO DAYS. NEEDLESS TO SAY
THE REST OF THE PILLS STILL REMAIN IN HIS DRESSER DRAWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-24-1967
THIS WOMAN BELIEVES THAT IF A DOVE
TAPS ON A WINDOW IN A HOUSE, THEN
SOMEONE IN THAT HOUSE IS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-20-1967
THE UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER IS A TWELVE-COURSE MEAL. THE
TWELVE SYMBOLIZES THE NUMBER OF APOSTLES OF CHRIST, WHO
GATHERED G
GATHERED FOR THE LAST SUPPER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; UKRAINIAN
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seconds / Twice / Two |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, UKRAINIANS PUT FRESH CLEAN STRAW
ON THE TABLE UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH, AND UNDER THE TABLE, AS A
REMINDER THAT CHRIST WAS BORN IN A MANGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
OMEN
IF YOU SEE A BULL FROG,
IT'S A WITCH BRINGING A CURSE.
YOU SHOULD PUT THE FROG ON A BOARD(FULCRUM)
AND HIT IT INTO THE AIR, SENDING THE CURSE AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GOT THIS FROM HER MOTHER
WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS A CHILD.
SHE SAID SHE NEVER DID THE ACTION DESCRIBED
BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO AFRAID OF THE FROG TO PICK
IT UP. SHE JUST RAN AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
CHRISTMAS PRACTICE
IF YOU WASH YOURSELF WITH A FIFTY CENT PIECE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING,
YOU'LL NEVER WANT FOR MONEY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD, NOT ANYMORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
YOUR FIRST GUEST ON CHRISTMAS DAY
SHOULD BE A MAN, THAT MEANS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SEEMED TO BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
COUGH
COUGH REMEDY: HEAT AND DRINK WHISKEY, LEMON, AND BUTTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
HAIR TODAY---BALD TOMORROW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS YEARS BACK
PROBABLY AROUND THE LATE 1928S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; PARODY OF HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-05-1972