Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DO NOT SIT ON THE GROUND DURING A MONTH WITH THE LETTER R IN IT.
R STANDS FOR RHEUMATISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
POLISH SWITCH DAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS CALLED SWITCH DAY IN OLD POLISH TRADITION.
IF THE GIRLS DO NOT DO FAVORS FOR THE BOYS, THE BOYS HIT THEM WITH
A SWITCH STICK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A GAME ALL DONE IN FUN. NO ONE WOULD BE HURT. MY DAD
LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER AROUND 1935.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
MARRIAGE BELIEF
PUT A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE UNDER YOUR PILLOW AND YOU WILL DREAM
ABOUT WHO YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001970S
SEX OF UNBORN CHILD BELIEF
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS ONLY BIG IN THE FRONT, THE BABY WILL BE A
GIRL. IF THE WOMAN IS BIG ALL THE WAY AROUND, THE BABY WILL BE A
BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-28-1982
REMEDY FOR EARACHE
TO CURE AN EARACHE, FILL A STOCKING WITH WARM SALT, TUCK IT UNDER
YOUR CHIN, AND TIE IT ON TOP OF YOUR HEAD SO THE SOCK IS COVERING
YOUR EARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Mineral |
LULLABY
GOT A DEAR LITTLE DOLLIE
AND HER EYES ARE SO BLUE.
SHE CAN OPEN AND SHUT THEM
AND SHE SMILES AT ME TOO.
IN THE MORNING I DRESS HER
AND SHE GOES OUT TO PLAY.
THEN SHE ASKS ME TO ROCK HER
AND SHE IS HAPPY ALL DAY.
GO TO SLEEP MY DOLLIE.
CLOSE YOUR EYES SO BLUE.
THE SAND MAN IS COMING
TO BRING SWEET DREAMS TO YOU.
Submitter comment:
DOLLIE CAN BE REPLACED WITH THE NAME OF THE CHILD.
THIS IS NOT SUNG TO A FAMILIAR TUNE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 1960S
STAND IN FRONT OF A MIRROR, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND TURN AROUND OVER
AND OVER REPEATING "BLOODY MARY." WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK
IN THE MIRROR, BLOODY MARY WILL BE LOOKING BACK AT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF LITTLE BOYS STAND WHILE THEY EAT, THEY WILL GET FAT KNEES.
Submitter comment:
MOTHERS TELL THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN SO THEY WILL SIT WHILE
THEY EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001970S
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS A GIRL BREAKS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER IS THE
NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE AND HER HUSBAND WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00001970S
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
FOR A WOMAN TO FIND A GOOD HUSBAND, SHE SHOULD PRAY TO SAINT JOSEPH
WHO IS THE PERFECT HUSBAND AND HE WILL HELP HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001970S
EASTER BREAD-ITALIAN
THIS BREAD IS MADE BY FIRST BRAIDING THE DOUGH AND THEN FORMING IT
INTO A DOUGHNUT SHAPE. FOUR RAW EGGS ARE PLACED IN THE BRAID WITH
CROSSES MADE OF DOUGH PLACED OVER THEM. IT IS THEN BAKED.
THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BREAD IS FILLED WITH EASTER GRASS AND
EASTER CANDY BEFORE SERVED ON EASTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS BREAD CAN ALSO BE MADE IN A LARGE QUANTITY AND SENT TO
NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AS EASTER GIFTS. MY MOTHER STILL CARRIES ON
THIS TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Elements Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00001970S
SUPERSTITION
INCLUDE SOME COINS (AT LEAST A PENNY) IN A KNIFE SET BOX WHEN
GIVING IT AS A GIFT OR ELSE IT WILL SEVER YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 00001970S
GUARISCE, GUARISCE
IL GATTO CI CACA,
IL SORGIO CI PISCIA. MM
HEAL, HEAL
THE CAT POOPOOS AND THE
RAT WEE WEES.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A SMALL CHILD IS HURT, YOU RUB YOUR HAND OVER THE INJURED
SPOT AND RECITE THE LITTLE VERSE; MORE TO SOOTH THE CHILD THAN
TO ACTUALLY HEAL HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.760 |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
SALLUZZA, SALLUZZA
VA MARE, VA PUZZA
VA COMMARE, VA COMPARE
VEDI QUEL CHE DICE
E VEMMELLO A DICE. MM
HICCUP, HICCUP
GO TO THE OCEAN, OR GO TO THE WELL
GO TO SEE COMMARE, AND GO TO SEE COMPARE
HEAR WHAT THEY TELL YOU
AND COME. AND TELL ME
Submitter comment:
IF YOU CAN SAY THIS WHILE YOUR HICCUPPING, YOU'RE HICCUPS
WILL BE GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.750 |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
WEATHER
IF A RED SKY AT NIGHT,
A SAILOR'S DELIGHT. (GOOD WEATHER THE NEXT DAY).
IF A RED SKY IN THE MORNING,
A SAILOR'S WARNING. (BAD WEATHER IS COMING).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 04-02-1967
I'VE LIVED A LONG TIME, BUT YOU CAN BE CERTAIN,
THAT NOTHING IN THIS WORLD IS FOR CERTAIN, AND
THAT'S CERTAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-19-1969
ILL HUMOR
ARE THOSE YOUR KNEES OR ARE YOU SMUGGLING WALNUTS?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JOKE
THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A VERY WANTON, BEAUTIFUL WIFE.
ONE DAY SHE WENT TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECKUP AND HER
HUSBAND DECIDED TO PICK HER UP. WHEN HE CAME INTO
THE OFFICE, HE FOUND THEM HAVING A PASSIONATE AFFAIR.
HIS WIFE WAS ABOVE THE DOCTOR. THE DOCTOR TRYING
VAINLY TO COVER UP SAID, "I'M TAKING HER TEMPERATURE!"
THE MAN SAID, "I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MEDICINE, BUT
THAT THING HAD BETTER HAVE NUMBERS ON IT WHEN IT
COMES OUT!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple |
Date learned: 04-02-1967
Entry filtered.
POLAK JOKE
WHAT'S A POLAK GOT UP HIS NOSE?
FINGERPRINTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman B662.5 |
Date learned: 04-02-1967