Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THIRTEEN
13 IS A LUCKY NUMBER IN ITALY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM AN ITALIAN FRIEND WHOSE GRANDMOTHER HAD
AN 18 KARAT GOLD METAL CHAIN WITH THE NUMBER 13 INSCRIBED ON IT TO
BE WORN FOR LUCK AROUND HER NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Good luck P881.5 |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
DRINKING THE DOLPHINS
CEREMONY WHERE A SUBMARINER RECEIVES HIS DOLPHIN PIN FOR COMPLETING
THREE CRUISES. THE PIN IS PLACED IN A PITCHER OF BEER AND THE
SUBMARINER MUST GUZZLE THE BEER DOWN, CATCHING THE DOLPHIN PIN IN
HIS TEETH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
CHILDREN WERE CAUTIONED NOT TO PICK UP TOADS AS THEY
WOULD GET WARTS.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
There was a custom in our home that in order to have a safe
and happy New Year the dinner to begin the year with had to
include black eyed peas.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Aberdeen
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
A PREGNANT WOMAN IS NOT ALLOWED TO HOLD A CHILD IN
BAPTISM FOR FEAR HARM WILL COME TO HER OWN BABY OR TO
THE GODCHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Baptism Naming rite BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A CURE FOR PIMPLES
FOR FACIAL BLACKHEADS AND PIMPLES,
SMEAR FRESH TOMATO JUICE ON FACE
BEFORE RETIRING, AND LEAVE IT ON ALL NIGHT.
THE ACID IN THE TOMATO JUICE
WILL COMBAT THE POISON.
Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): ASTRINGENT ; FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
African-American children's jumping rope game
Dum Dee Dum Dee Doe Doe
catch me if you can
I can run faster than
(say the name of the person to chase you) can!
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 (jump out of the rope)
Submitter comment:
This game is played jumping rope. Two people are
turning the rope, one on each end. The person to be
chased says the above rhyme, then jumps out. The person
to tag runs in afterwards. Each one can only jump one
time in the rope. This is a fast chase game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001960-61
KINDERGARTEN BABY,
WASH YOUR FACE IN GRAVY.
Where learned: LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
AT THE SOUND OF FIRE TRUCKS, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO MAKE
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND PRAY FOR THOSE IN THE
FIRE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT'S VERY BAD LUCK TO PLAY PIANO WHILE SOMEONE IN
THE HOUSE IS ILL, BECAUSE THIS MAY HASTEN THEIR
DEATH.
James Callow Keyword(s): MUSIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
LITTLE MISS MUFFET SAT ON A TUFFET,
EATING HER CURDS AND WHEY.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER AND SAT DOWN BESIDE HER,
AND SHE BEAT IT TO DEATH WITH HER SPOON.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A FRIEND IN CLASS.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
A ball game played by African-American Children
Hello, hello, hello sir
how are you today sir?
fine sir
yes sir
Submitter comment:
This game is played by one or more players. The player(s)
bounces a ball to each word of the rhyme. When the word "sir"
is said the player must cross his/her leg over the ball.
Rhythm is very important in that the ball and the rhyme and
the leg crossing must all be together in timing. A missed
cross, or lost of control of the ball constitutes elimination
and turning the ball over to the next player.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
MARY HAD A LITTLE
IT WAS A TRIFLE AIRY.
IT DIDN'T SHOW CLEAN,
IT DIDN'T SHOW DIRT,
BUT OH! IT DID SHOW MARY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
Stain Remover
As a high school student, I was forever getting ink on some part
of my clothing. My mother informed me that if put on a fairly new ink
stain, hair spray would remove it completely.
Submitter comment:
This form of stain removal is still used by my family and
friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00001985ca
WHEN SALT IS SPILLED, SOME OF IT MUST BE TOSSED
OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
Submitter comment: TO AVERT BAD LUCK, SAYS COLLECTOR.
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITIN DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB,
SHE FED IT CASTOR OIL.
AND EVERY TIME IT WAGGED ITS TAIL,
IT FERTILIZED THE SOIL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
IF YOU GET MARRIED ON A CLOUDY OR RAINY DAY,
YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Superstition about good weather BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
IT'S BAD LUCK TO KILL A LADYBUG.
James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NEVER OPEN YOUR UMBRELLA INSIDE THE HOUSE. IT
MEANS BAD LUCK.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: 10-04-1965
Emergency Phone Calls
When I was a child, I always wore Penny Loafers. My mother would
put dimes in the penny slots of my shoes, just so that I would always
have twenty cents to make a phone call in case of an emergency.
Submitter comment:
The dimes I was forced to wear helped me out of a difficult
situation more than once.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): Telephone call, price of
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Number P686.1.20 |
Date learned: 00001980CA