Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT ALWAYS HAS TO SNOW ON THE BUTTERCUPS.
Submitter comment: OVERHEARD IN THE GROCERY WHEN TWO WOMEN WERE DISCUSSING
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through A time segment or a direction BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
IT IS BAD LUCK TO TELL A DREAM BEFORE BREAKFAST. MY FAMILY ALL
QUOTED THIS BELIEF WHEN EVER ANYONE WOULD START TO TELL A
DREAM BEFORE BREAKFAST. AFTER EATING IT WAS OK. THIS BELIEF
APPLIED TO ALL DREAMS--IT WAS WRONG TO TELL BAD DREAMS BECAUSE
THEY MIGHT COME TRUE, BUT GOOD DREAMS COULD NOT BE TOLD
EITHER BECAUSE THE GOOD THINGS MIGHT BE CANCELLED OUT IF IT
WERE TOLD OUT LOUD. EVERYONE WOULD LAUGH WHEN SOMEONE
SAID "IT IS BAD LUCK" OR "DON'T TELL IT NOW, WAIT TILL YOU
EAT" BUT SOMEONE ALWAYS SAID IT TO STOP ANOTHER MEMBER
FROM TELLING THE DREAM. I STILL DO IT AS A MATTER OF
COURSE TO MY OWN FAMILY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Dreams BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEBANESE BELIEF
IF A WOMAN'S FIRST-BORN CHILD LOOKS LIKE HER HUSBAND, IT MEANS
THE WIFE LOVES HER HUSBAND MORE THAN HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
MY MOM OBTAINED THIS BELIEF IN FADJUNA, LEBANON AND TOLD IT TO ME
IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
Where learned: LEBANON ; FADJUNA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001950S
LEBANESE BELIEF
IF YOU WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FROM A NIGHTMARE AND GO TO
THE BATHROOM AND FLUSH THE TOILET, YOU CAN GO BACK TO BED WITHOUT
WORRYING ABOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE NIGHTMARE.
Submitter comment:
MY MOM OBTAINED THIS BELIEF IN FADJUNA, LEBANON AND TOLD IT TO ME
IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
Where learned: LEBANON ; FADJUNA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 00001950S
LEBANESE BELIEF
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN HAS A STRONG CRAVING FOR SOME TYPE OF FRUIT
(I.E., STRAWBERRIES) HER CHILD WILL HAVE A BIRTHMARK IN THE SHAPE
OF THAT FRUIT.
Submitter comment:
MY MOM COLLECTED THIS ITEM IN LEBANON AND TOLD IT TO ME IN
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
Where learned: LEBANON ; FADJUNA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001950S
ONCE I KNEW A PRINCESS. SHE WAS VERY PROUD. SHE ASKED
'WHO IS BETTER THAN I?' ONE DAY SHE WAS TOLD OF A
BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WHOSE FEET WERE LIKE POMEGRANITES,
GOLD AND RED. SHE WANTED TO SEE THIS WOMAN SO GREAT
GRANDFATHER GOT A FAIRY TO CARRY THE PRINCESS TO THE
BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. THE FAIRY TOOK HOLD OF THE PRINCESS
AND THEY FLEW OVER TREES AND FARMS. FINALLY, THE
FAIRY SET THE PRINCESS DOWN BESIDE A SLEEPING GIRL
WHO WAS SO BEAUTIFUL THAT THE PRINCESS WAS BLINDED BY
HER BEAUTY. SHE TOLD THE PRINCESS TO GIVE HER (THE
FAIRY) A BAG OF GOLD AND SHE WOULD MAKE THE
BEAUTIFUL GIRL UGLY. THE PRINCESS DID SO. THEN THE
PRINCESS WOULD BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE
WORLD. THEN THE FAIRY MADE THE PRINCESS ANOTHER
BAG OF GOLD OR SHE WOULD MAKE THE PRINCESS UGLY.
THUS THE FAIRY GOT THE BEST OF THE DEAL.
Data entry tech comment: MADE THE PRINCESS (GIVE HER ANOTHER BAG OF...)
Where learned: LEBANON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WILD MUSTARD--WHEN YOU WANTED TO BUY A FARM IN WILSON COUNTY,
TENNESSEE, YOU WENT AND LOOKED IN THE SPRING FOR WILD
MUSTARD, IF IT WAS BLOOMING (A BRIGHT YELLOW FLOWER) YOU
KNEW THAT ROCK WAS JUST UNDER THE PLANT, AND THAT THE LAND
WAS UNDER WATER DURING THE WET TIMES OF THE YEAR. THIS
CUSTOM WAS HELD TO BE TRUE FOR A FIFTY MILES RADIUS AROUND
WILSON COUNTY.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY ROBERT MARTIN, OF LEBANON (TENNESSEE)
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A COMPLIMENT IS NEVER GIVEN WITHOUT FOLLOWING IT WITH A
BLESSING TO WARD OFF ANY EVIL SPIRITS THAT MAY BE AROUND.
Where learned: LEBANON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
BARBERSHOPS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CLOSED ON MONDAYS BY
LAW IN LEBANON. A BARBER HAD A CUSTOMER, ILLEGALLY,
ONE MONDAY, AND WAS PREPARING TO GIVE HIM A SHAVE. WHEN
THE BARBER SAW A POLICEMAN COMING TOWARD THE SHOP,
HE HASTILY THREW A SHEET OVER THE STARTLED CUSTOMER.
WHEN APPROACHED BY THE POLICEMAN AND ASKED IF HE WAS,
INDEED, WORKING, THE BARBER REPLIED NO. WHEN ASKED WHAT
THE CUSTOMER WAS DOING IN THE CHAIR, THE BARBER REPLIED
THAT HE WAS SOAKING HIM FOR THE NEXT DAY.
Where learned: LEBANON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL, A DEATH IN THE FAMILY WILL
FOLLOW. OUR NEGRO MAID, CELANE D ENY, BELIEVED THIS AND
TAUGHT IT TO US CHILDREN. I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM OTHER
PEOPLE; THE ONES WHO BELIEVED IT USUALLY SAID THAT
ROBERT E. LEE'S PICTURE FELL OFF THE WALL THE DAY HE
DIED. THE DAY MY GRANDMOTHER DIED, 2 PAINTINGS FELL
FROM THE WALL AT MY HOUSE (BREAKING FRAME, GLASS, ETC.)
THE MAID I HAD THEN WAS TERRIFIED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A LEBANESE CUSTOM
WHENEVER A MALE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WANTS TO GET MARRIED,
HE HAS TO PROVIDE THE FIRST COOKING UTENCIL FOR HIS
BRIDE. HE HAS TO GO TO A PARTICULAR SPOT, RICH IN
COPPER; HE HAS TO MELT THE COPPER DOWN AND CAST IT
INTO A COOLING POT, OTHERWISE HE CANNOT GET MARRIED.
HE IS WATCHED BY MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AND OTHERS TO
MAKE SURE HE ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY HIMSELF.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH MY MOTHER, WHO WORKS
WITH THE INFORMANT. THIS CUSTOM WAS A PARTICULAR
TRADITION IN THE HAJJAR FAMILY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; LEBANON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
A VERY ODD WEDDING CUSTOM AMONG A SMALL MINORITY
CHURCH. THE WEDDING TAKES PLACE, AND THEN THE BRIDE
AND GROOM SPEND A NIGHT TOGETHER, TO SEE IF THE GIRL
IS A VIRGIN OR NOT. IF SHE IS NOT, THE MARRIAGE
IS NULL AND VOID. IF SHE IS A VIRGIN, THEN THE
LARGER CEREMONY TAKES PLACE ALONG WITH THE WEDDING
CELEBRATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; LEBANON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.136 |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
THICKNESS OF SHUCKS ON CORN COBS--HARD WINTER.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY DR. MORRELL, BIOLOGY TEACHER AT PEABODY
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON ; DIXON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Plants |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THICKNESS OF FUR ON RABBITS AND SQUIRRELS WILL SHOW HOW
HARD THE WINTER WILL BE.
Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF WAS TOLD TO ME BY DR. MORRELL, BIOLOGY TEACHER AT
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON ; DIXON
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HARD WINTER--THE CLOSER A HORNET'S NEST IS TO GROUND, THE
HARDER THE WINTER WILL BE.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY DR. MORRELL, BIOLOGY TEACHER AT PEABODY
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; LEBANON ; DIXON
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE, A DEATH WILL FOLLOW. THE
MAID WE HAD WHEN I WAS A CHILD, AND WHO WORKED FOR ME LATER,
BELIEVED THIS. HER NAME WAS CELANE DENY, SHE WAS ABOUT
20, IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, IN 1940. SHE WOULD GET
HYSTERICAL IF A BIRD GOT IN THE HOUSE. IF IT CAME DOWN
THE CHIMNEY SHE WOULD SCREAM AND RUN OUT OF THE ROOM WHERE
IT WAS. THEN SHE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS AND
HIDE BEHIND THE COUCH OR RUN IN THE CLOSET AND JUST PEEK
OUT. IT WAS BAD LUCK FOR HER IF IT TOUCHED HER. SHE
WOULD KEEP MY SISTER AND ME RIGHT WITH HER SO IT
COULDN'T TOUCH US EITHER.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; TENNESSEE ; LEBANON ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN ; 00-00-1940
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
YOU CAN'T MAKE BUTTER OUT OF COW SHIT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD EXPRESSION MEANING THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE
PROPER MATERIALS THAT YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING. THE INFOR-
MANT SAID IT WHEN HE LOOKED AT WOOL DYED WITH MAGNOLIA LEAVES.
HE CONSIDERED THE COLOR UNATTRACTIVE. HE SAID HE'D HEARD THE
EXPRESSION ALL HIS LIFE AROUND LEBANON, TENNESSEE.
Where learned: LEBANON ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS BAD LUCK TO BURN BRUSH ON SUNDAY.
Submitter comment: BELIEVED IN KENTUCKY IN FARMING AREAS. THE IMPLICATION IS
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; TENNESSEE ; LEBANON ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; FRANKFORT ; KENTUCKY, ASSUMED ; LOUISVILLE ; PRESTONSBURG
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEATHS COME IN THREES.
Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS BELIEF ALL MY LIFE, FIRST IN LOUISVILLE,
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LEBANON ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
PUTTING A HAT ON THE BED MEANS THAT DEATH WILL FOLLOW.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE GROWING UP IN PRESTONSBURG, KENTUCKY IN
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LEBANON ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; PRESTONSBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |