Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CLEVELAND returned 174 results.
IF YOU DON'T EAT PORK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IT MEANS
YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Date learned: 10-00-1971
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
BEFORE THE FAMILY SAT DOWN TO EAT DINNER, EACH
MEMBER WASHED THEMSELVES WITH A SILVER COIN WHICH WAS
TO BRING THEM PROSPERITY FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
IN A HOME WHERE THERE ARE YOUNG GIRLS, AFTER THE MEAL
WAS OVER, A YOUNG MAN WAS ALWAYS WELCOME BECAUSE IT
WAS A SIGN OF THEIR DAUGHTER BEING MARRIED. BUT IF A
GIRL CAME FIRST, IT WAS A SIGN THAT THEIR DAUGHTER
WOULD BE AN OLD MAID.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS DAY THE YOUNG CHILDREN WOULD GO CAROLLING.
EACH CARRIES AN APPLE. THEN THEY WOULD INSERT THE
COINS THEY COLLECTED INTO THE APPLE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
SLOVAK MAY DAY CUSTOM
WHEN A YOUNG MAN HAG A DIRL FRIEND, HE WOULD (DURING THE
EARLY HOURS) CHOP A TREE AND PLANT IT BY HER BEDROOM
WINDOW. THIS WAS A SIGN OF A WEDDING SOON OR AN
ENGAGEMENT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Symbols of engagement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
SLOVAK EASTER CUSTOM
ON SATURDAY OF HOLY WEEK, THE WOMEN BAKED BREAD AND
PREPARED HAM AND KOLBASI. THESE WERE PACKED INTO A
BASKET AND TAKEN TO CHURCH ON EASTER SUNDAY AND WERE
BLESSED. THEN THE FAMILY CAME HOME AND EVERYONE
ATE OF THE BLESSED FOOD, INCLUDING ANYONE WHO VISITED
THEM.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| 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: 00001967 FALL
PEDIDDLE
IF THERE IS A "ONE-EYED" CAR AT NIGHT, THE GUY CAN KISS
THE GIRL IF HE SAYS "PEDIDDLE" FIRST. IF SHE SAYS
IT FIRST, SHE SLAPS HIS FACE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS PLAYED IN
CLEVELAND WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. ALSO, HE SAID
THAT FRIENDS IN CHICAGO ALSO HAD HEARD OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-27-1970
IT'S UNLUCKY TO START ON A NEW JOB OR A NEW PROJECT
ON A FRIDAY.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
BAD LUCK IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
TO PREDICT HOW MANY CHILDREN ONE WILL HAVE, TAKE A
NEEDLE AND THREAD, PLACE THE NEEDLE IN THE ERASER
END OF A PENCIL, THEN HOLD THE POINT OF THE PENCIL
JUST ABOVE THE VICTIM'S WRIST, LETTING IT SWING
FREELY. AT FIRST IT WILL CIRCLE, THEN ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING WILL OCCUR:
1. IF IT SWINGS NORTH TO SOUTH, IT SIGNIFIES A BOY
CHILD.
2. IF IT SWINGS EAST TO WEST, IT SIGNIFIES A GIRL.
3. IF IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL, IT MEANS
THE END OR NO CHILDREN.
BETWEEN THE PREDICTIONS (BOY OR GIRL) THE NEEDLE WILL
CIRCLE, AND WHEN THE PREDICTIONS HAVE STOPPED, IT
WILL STOP CIRCLING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT BELIEVED IN THIS METHOD BECAUSE SHE HAD
DONE IT ON MARRIED WOMEN AND IT TOLD HOW MANY
CHILDREN (BOYS AND GIRLS) THAT THEY DID GIVE
BIRTH TO.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.3 |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
WHEN YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES, YOU WILL RECEIVE
MONEY, IF RIGHT HANDS, YOU WILL BE SHAKING
HANDS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
DURING WORLD WAR II, MOANS WERE HEARD COMING FROM
CHRIST'S GRAVE IN JERUSALEM. IT WAS FELT THAT HE DID
NOT APPROVE OF THE WAR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
IN THE SECTION OF THE METROPOLITAN PARK OF CLEVELAND,
OHIO KNOWN AS "CEDAR POINT HILL," A YOUNG ENGAGED
COUPLE WAS PARKED. THEY HEARD A NEWSCAST WARNING
THOSE IN THE AREA TO BEWARE OF THREE VICIOUS MUGGERS
ACTIVE THAT WEEK. THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND WISHED
TO LEAVE. HER FIANCE REASSURED HER AND WENT OUT TO CHECK
AROUND THE CAR. HE TOLD HER TO HIDE UNDER THE BLANKET
ON THE BACKSEAT FLOOR UNTIL HE KNOCKED THREE TIMES.
SHE WAITED...AND WAITED...AND WAITED, HEARING NO SOUND
OTHER THAN OCCASIONAL SCRAPE ON THE ROOF, CAUSED BY A
LOW HANGING BRANCH. AFTER ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES,
SHE SAW SEVERAL LIGHTS AND HEARD MUCH TALKING.
LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW SHE SAW POLICE CARS. THE
POLICE HELPED HER OUT, INSTRUCTING HER NOT TO LOOK
UP. SHE LOOKED ANYWAY AND SAW HER FINACE HANGING FROM
THE BRANCH ABOVE THE CAR, HIS HEELS TAPPING THE ROOF.
HIS TONGUE HAD BEEN CUT OUT, AS ALSO HAD HIS HEART.
THE MURDERERS WERE NEVER FOUND, BUT ON STORMY NIGHTS,
THE YOUNG MAN TAPS ON THE CAR ROOFS IN CEDAR POINT
VALLEY TO WARN LOVERS OF ANY DANGER.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
COLLEGE LEGEND
MIKE TOLD ME ABOUT A FANTASTIC PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR
AT JOHN CARROLL {UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND, OHIO},
WHO GAVE AN ENTIRE COURSE WITH ONLY ONE TEST, A FINAL.
ON THIS CUMULATIVE FINAL, HE ASKED BUT ONE QUESTION
ON WHICH TO BASE THE GRADE FOR AN ENTIRE SEMESTER.
THE QUESTION WAS "WHY?" NATURALLY, THE CLASS WORKED
FURIOUSLY TO INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF PHILOSOPHY IN
THEIR ANSWERS WITHIN THEIR ALLOTTED TIME. BUT WHEN
THE TESTS WERE GRADED, ONLY ONE PERSON RECEIVED
AN A FOR THE COURSE. HE WAS THE STUDENT WHOSE
ENTIRE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM CONSISTED OF TWO
WORDS: "WHY NOT?"
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): PHILOSOPHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 04-00-1966
IN LAKEWOOD, INHABITED BY STAUNCH CATHOLIC-IRISH-AMERICANS
ANY LEGEND CONCERNING THE DEVIL OR HELL WAS BELIEVED AND
KEPT ALIVE BY WORD OF MOUTH. THE OLD ANGLE, LOCATED IN
THE PARISH OF ST. PATRICK'S ON GROVE, PICKED UP THE
LAKEWOOD LEGENDS AND TRANSMITTED THEM THROUGHOUT THE
PARISH. THE {ST.} PATRICK'S WAS COMPRISED MOSTLY OF
IMMIGRANTS WHILE LAKEWOOD WAS SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION
IRISH. THERE WAS ALWAYS A BIT OF RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO
SECTORS TO SEE WHO COULD COME UP WITH THE BEST LEGENDS.
MOST OF THE TIME ST. PAT'S WAS IN THE LEAD, BECAUSE EVERY
DAY THERE WERE NEW PEOPLE FROM IRELAND MOVING INTO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM MORE TALES FROM
THE OLD COUNTRY.
THIS TIME, THOUGH, THE LAKEWOOD CROWD HAD ST. PAT'S BEAT.
THERE WAS A FAMILY THAT LIVED ON GIEL AVENUE JUST OFF
CLIFTON BLVD. THE FAMILY CONSISTED OF A FATHER, MOTHER
AND FOUR CHILDREN. THE FATHER WORKED ON THE RAILROAD
AS DID MANY IRISH-AMERICANS. HIS WIFE TOOK CARE OF THE
HOUSE AND CHILDREN. THERE WAS ONE DIFFERENCE. THE MOTHER
WAS INCREDIBLY CRUEL AND OFTEN PUNISHED THE CHILDREN FOR
NO APPARENT REASON. THE NEIGHBORS TALKED QUITE A BIT ABOUT
HER BEING POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. ONE NEIGHBOR WAS A
RELATIVE OF MY FATHER AND TOLD THE STORY OFTEN ABOUT THE
NIGHT THEIR SUSPICIONS WERE CONFIRMED. THE MOTHER HAD DIED
SOME ILLNESS NOT ESPECIALLY UNUSUAL IN THOSE DAYS OF
LITTLE MONEY OR MEDICAL HELP. THE WAKE AND BURIAL OVER,
EVERYONE HAD RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. THE FATHER SAT STILL
IN HIS KITCHEN. A HOUSE AWAY, MY RELATIVE SAT WITH HIS
PARENTS. HIS FATHER LOOKED UP AND GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW
TO THE KITCHEN WINDOW NEXT DOOR. HIS GAZE WAS ARRESTED
BY A STRANGE LIGHT THAT SEEMED TO ILLUMINATE THE KITCHEN.
THINKING FIRST OF FIRE, HE AND HIS SON DASHED ACROSS THE
YARD AND UP THE BACK STEPS OF THE HOUSE. BY THE TIME THEY
REACHED THE INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN THE LIGHT WAS GONE AND THE
FATHER SAT WHERE THEY HAD LEFT HIM, NOW IN A STATE OF SHOCK.
HE POINTED DUMBLY TO THE WOODEN TABLE. THERE, BURNED INTO
THE SURFACE WAS THE UNMISTAKEABLE PRINT OF A WOMAN'S HAND.
HE SPOKE ONLY HIS WIFE'S NAME OVER AND OVER. SHE WAS, IT
SEEMS, WITH THAT SPIRIT WHO HAD POSSESSED HER. SHE HAD
APPEARED, HELD UP HER HAND, PLACED IT ON THE TABLE AND
DISAPPEARED.
THE TABLE IS SUPPOSEDLY LOCKED IN THE BASEMENT OF ST.
JOHN'S CATHEDRAL IN CLEVELAND. IF EVER ANYONE TRIES TO ASK
QUESTIONS OF THE BISHOP OR OTHER CLERGY THERE, ONE IS
MERELY ANSWERED WITH A VAGUE REFERENCE TO IRISHMEN BEING
THE BEST STORYTELLERS IN THE WORLD.
Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001913-1968
ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING STORIES MY FATHER EVER TOLD ME
ABOUT BANSHEES WAS THIS ONE. IT SCARED ME MORE THAN ANY
OF THE REST BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER.
SOMEHOW THOSE STORIES AREN'T QUITE SO FRIGHTENING WHEN
THEY ARE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE.
GRANDPA DIED A VERY OLD MAN. HE WAS BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY
HIS DAUGHTER, NELLIE, WHO WAS MY PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.
HE WAS REFERRED TO BY THE CHILDREN, MY FATHER AND UNCLES,
AS "BLIND GRANDPA." CATARACTS HAD TAKEN HIS SIGHT EARLY
IN HIS SIXTIES. BESIDES BEING VERY OLD AND BLIND,
GRANDPA WAS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE THAT WARM SPRING DAY,
AS HE SAT ROCKING IN THE FRONT PARLOR. SUDDENLY, HE
LET OUT A YELL TO NELLIE.
"NELLIE, COME IN HERE, GET THIS DOG OUT OF HERE, GET
HIM OUT." NELLIE CAME RUNNING. SHE WAS SO SURPRISED AT
HER FATHER'S OUTBURST THAT SHE DIDN'T STOP TO THINK
THAT HE COULDN'T HAVE SEEN ANY DOG EVEN IF THERE WAS
ONE, WHICH THERE WASN'T BECAUSE THE MC GRAWS DIDN'T
OWN A DOG THEN. SHE TRIED TO CALM HER FATHER, BUT HIS
AGITATION ONLY GREW AND SHE CALLED HER SISTERS-IN-LAW
FROM NEXT DOOR TO COME OVER WHILE SHE WENT FOR THE DOCTOR.
SHE NEEDN'T HAVE BOTHERED. WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT INTO
THE PARLOR WITH KIT AND JO, BLIND GRANDPA WAS DEAD. HE
WAS SITTING IN THE ROCKER WITH HIS EYES CLOSED AND HE WAS
DEAD. NEXT TO HIM, JUST OUTSIDE THE SCREEN DOOR SAT A
HUGE BLACK LABRADOR. WHILE KIT, JO AND NELLIE STOOD
THERE IN HORROR, HE THREW BACK HIS HEAD AND HOWLED, THEN
TURNED AND DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. A THOROUGH SEARCH OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCED NO DOG NOR ANYONE WHO CLAIMED
SEEING SUCH A DOG EVER AROUND THERE. SOME HAD HEARD THE
HOWL, OTHERS HADN'T OR REFUSED TO ADMIT IT. MY FATHER
REMEMBERED IT AS DID HIS BROTHER CHARLES, BOTH OF WHOM
HAD BEEN IN LORRAINE, OHIO WHILE THEIR GRANDFATHER WAS
DYING IN THE FRONT PARLOR OF THE FAMILY HOUSE IN CLEVELAND.
THE WAIL OF THE BANSHEE IS HEARD BY THOSE MEANT TO HEAR
IT AND IS NEVER EVER FORGOTTEN.
Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD ; OHIO, ASSUMED ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001913-1968
SOME FRIENDS OF THE INFORMANT WERE DRIVING THROUGH
CANADA, TO EXPO' 67 THIS SUMMER, WHEN THEY SAW A NUN
WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY OFFERED HER ONE, WHICH
SHE ACCEPTED. THEY HAD QUITE AN AVID CONVERSATION
DURING THE TRIP TO HER CONVENT. AT ONE POINT, THEY
NOTICED SHE STOPPED TALKING, AND, ON LOOKING IN THE
BACK SEAT, THEY SAW THAT SHE HAD DISAPPEARED.
THEY DROVE TO HER CONVENT ANYWAY TO EXPLAIN THE
SITUATION. THERE, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE NUN HAD
BEEN DEAD FOR THREE YEARS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
IN THE OLD COUNTRY, AT FUNERALS, IT WAS CONSIDERED
RESPECTFUL FOR SOMEONE TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT WITH THE
BODY. SINCE EVERYONE WOULD RATHER "WHOOP IT UP" AT
THE WAKE, INSTEAD OF STAYING WITH THE BODY, THEY
USUALLY GOT A COBBLER, WHO STAYED UP ALL NIGHT
ANYWAY, WORKING ON HIS SHOES, TO DO THE JOB.
ONE NIGHT, A COUPLE PRANKSTERS DECIDED TO PUT A LIVE
PERSON IN THE COFFIN, INSTEAD OF THE BODY. TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE "CORPSE" LIFTED ITS
RIGHT LEG. THE COBBLER, WITHOUT THINKING TWICE,
PUSHED IT BACK IN PLACE. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, AN
ARM WENT UP, AND THE COBBLER, SLIGHTLY ANNOYED,
PUSHED IT BACK. BUT THIS KEPT UP ALL NIGHT, UNTIL
THE COBBLER WAS PRETTY EXASPERATED. THE "CORPSE"
FINALLY PUT ITS HEAD UP AND LOOKED AT THE COBBLER.
AT THIS POINT, IN A FIT OF TEMPER, THE COBBLER PICKED
UP HIS HAMMER AND BASHED THE "CORPSE'S" HEAD IN.
THE MAN NOW REALLY WAS A CORPSE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE: COBBLERS ARE FEARLESS ; HUMOR ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-22-1967
ONE OF THE INFORMANT'S PROFESSORS AT JOHN CARROLL
UNIVERSITY {CLEVELAND, OHIO} WAS NOTED FOR BEING
ABSENTMINDED. AT ONE TIME, WHEN TRYING TO GET HIS
CAR OUT OF A SNOW-FILLED PARKING LOT, HE SPOTTED A
STUDENT HITCHHIKING WITH SUITCASE IN HAND. HE MADE
A DEAL WITH THE STUDENT, THAT IF HE PUSHED HIS CAR
OUT OF THE SNOW, THE PROF WOULD DRIVE THE STUDENT
TO THE TRAIN STATION. SO THE STUDENT THREW HIS SUITCASE
IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO PUSH THE
PROF'S CAR OUT OF THE SNOW.
BUT WHEN THE CAR GOT TO BETTER GROUND, THE PROF KEPT ON
DRIVING, SUITCASE IN THE CAR, STUDENT LEFT IN THE
PARKING LOT, ALL THE WAY TO THE TRAIN STATION, BEFORE
HE NOTICED THAT HE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 06-00-1961
THERE WAS A GIRL IN COLLEGE WHO CLAIMED TO BE COMPLETELY
FEARLESS. HER ROOMMATE AND ALL HER FRIENDS PLAYED MANY
PRANKS TRYING TO FRIGHTEN HER. BUT SHE REMAINED BRAVE.
FINALLY, AS A LAST ATTEMPT TO SCARE HER, THEY STOLE AN
ARM FROM THE MED SCHOOL'S MORTUARY AND PUT IT IN HER
BED WHILE SHE WAS OUT.
WHEN THEY RETURNED THE NEXT DAY TO SEE HOW SHE FARED,
THEY FOUND HER SITTING ON HER BED, HER LONG, BLACK
HAIR TURNED WHITE, AND EATING THE ARM.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; Prank
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 11-21-1967