Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SOUTHFIELD returned 444 results.
NEVER PUT NEW SHOES ON A TABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL
HURT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
WHEN THE HEM OF A DRESS IS TURNED UP, THAT MEANS THAT
YOU WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER DRESS SOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Use of Object Dress, buttons, jewelry |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
IF A PALM ITCHES, IT MEANS YOU WILL GET MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
PREMONITION
GERTRUDE CLELAND WAS MY SISTER. SHE TOLD MY FATHER
ONE MORNING THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TO GO TO WORK. HE
ASKED HER WHY AND SHE SAID THAT HIS BOSS'S WIFE HAD
DIED. HE WENT TO WORK ANYWAY, BECAUSE GERT WAS
VERY SMALL AT THE TIME AND HE THOUGHT SHE WAS MAKING
UP STORIES. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE
WAS NO WORK THAT DAY, FOR THE WIFE OF THE BOSS HAD DIED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS THERE ABOUT 1895 WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- P820 P820.546 BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
THE BELIEF IN HOUSE DEMONS IN THE OLD DAYS OF LITHUANIA WAS
VERY STRONG, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE FARMERS. IF A FARMER WAS
SUCCESSFUL IN HIS FARMING AND BUSINESS, THEN PEOPLE STARTED TALKING
THAT HE HAD A HOUSE DEMON FOR A FRIEND. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
THE DEMON FLEW VERY FAST, JUST LIKE LIGHTNING. AND NO ONE KNOWS
EXACTLY HOW HE LOOKED. IF A FARMER BEFRIENDS A DEMON, THE DEMON
WILL STEAL CORN AND GRAIN FROM OTHER FARMERS AND BRING IT TO HIS
FRIEND. THEIR FAVORITE KIND OF FOOD IS SCRAMBLED EGGS. THE
FARMER WHO WISHES TO BEFRIEND A HOUSE DEMON SHOULD LEAVE A PLATE
OF SCRAMBLED EGGS EVERY NIGHT OUTSIDE BY HIS OWN DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 01-19-1972
BELIEF ABOUT A FRIENDSHIP BRACELET
A RAWHIDE BRACELET IS GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR FRIEND
AS A TOKEN OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP. IT CONSISTS OF FOUR KNOTS
ONE THE BIGGEST, IS A SQUARE KNOT REPRESENTING SOME EVIL.
THE OTHER THREE REPRESENT IN ORDER, YOUR FRIEND, YOURSELF
AND A WALL. THIS IS SAID TO MEAN THAT AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR FRIEND
YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO FACE EVIL HEAD ON, BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND IS IN
FRONT OF YOU, AND THE WALL IS BEHIND YOU.
IT WAS SAID THAT YOU HAD TO WEAR THESE BRACELETS FOR A PERIOD OF
ONE YEAR, OR UNTIL THEY ROTTED OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; POSITION DIRECTION ; SYMBOL
Date learned: 10-23-1970
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
JEWISH MOTHERS BELIEVE THAT IT IS BAD LUCK TO GIVE A BABY
A SHOWER BEFORE IT IS BORN, THE SAME IS TRUE WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FATHER DID THIS FOR HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): SEMITISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE ARMENIAN SANTA CLAUS IS CALLED BUFFANA. IT IS A LEGEND
THAT AT CHRISTMAS TIME BUFFANA GOES THROUGH ALL THE STREETS OF
ARMENIA AND PASSES OUT PRESENTS TO ALL THE POOR CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Religious hero SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 02-26-1971
SAYING
ONE THREAD OF KINDNESS DRAWS MORE THAN A HUNDRED HORSES
Submitter comment: W. W. BREESE, M.D., "WELL SPRINGS OF TRUTH," 1883, P. 144.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-05-1968
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE WHO IS AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS IS AFRAID TO LEARN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; EDUCATION ; FUNCTION ; INQUISITIVENESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
FESTIVAL CUSTOM -- FASNACHT
ON SHROVE TUESDAY THE PEOPLE DRESS IN COSTUMES JUST LIKE WE DO
ON HALLOWEEN. THEY ALSO SERVE FASNACHT KUKELEY WHICH IS A THIN
TART IN POWDERED SUGAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 01-21-1968
TRAVELING CUSTOM
WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING ON A JOURNEY (WHETHER IT BE LONG OR SHORT ),
THE OLDEST WOMAN IN THE FAMILY GIVES THE TRAVELER A WOODEN STICK.
THE STICK IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SPECIAL, SHORT TWIG, THAT HAS BEEN
DRIED AND AGED IN A SPECIAL WAY. THE TWIG IS GIVEN TO WARD OFF
BURGLARY AND ILLNESS DURING THE JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
PLANTING RULE
IT IS A CUSTOM IN THE VILLAGE OF WENGEN, SWITZERLAND, THAT YOU DO
NOT LEAVE POTATOES IN THE GROUND FOR MORE OR LESS THAN 100 DAYS.
IF THEY ARE KEPT IN LONGER, THEY WILL BE ILL. IF THEY ARE
REMOVED BEFORE THAT TIME, THEY WILL BE GREEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
RIDDLE QUESTION
HOW DO YOU CATCH A RABBIT?
HIDE BEHIND A TREE AND MAKE NOISES LIKE A CARROT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
WHO HEARD THE RIDDLE IN OCTOBER, 1963 FROM A FELLOW STUDENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; TALKING VEGETABLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
RIDDLE QUESTION
WHAT IS BLACK AND WHITE AND GOES CLICK CLICK?
SISTER MARY BALL POINT
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
WHO HEARD THE RIDDLE IN OCTOBER, 1963 FROM A FELLOW STUDENT WHEN THE
COLOR RIDDLES WERE POPULAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): NUN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 12-02-1963
TO CURE A HEADCAHE
SLICE A RAW POTATOE. PUT IT IN A CLOTH AND PLACE IT ON THE HEAD.
Submitter comment: THIS REALLY WORKS. INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
SUPERSTITION
NEVER LIGHT THREE CIGARETTES WITH THE SAME MATCH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS SUPERSTITION ORIGINATED DURING THE
SECOND WORLD WAR. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT BY THE TIME THE THIRD
CIGARETTE WAS LIGHTED THE ENEMY WOULD HAVE YOU SPOTTED AND WOULD
ATTACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
UNLUCKY THREE
NEVER LIGHT THREE CIGARETTES WITH THE SAME MATCH - IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HEARD SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
JEWISH MOTHERS BELIEVE IT IS BAD LUCK TO GIVE A BABY SHOWER BEFORE
THE BABY IS BORN.
IT IS JUST AS BAD TO BRING GIFTS TO THE MOTHER IN THE
HOSPITAL BEFORE THE BABY HAS ARRIVED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RELATED HOW HER FATHER WAITED TILL HER SISTER WAS BORN
BEFORE HE BROUGHT THE BABY'S DIAPERS AND CLOTHES TO THE HOSPITAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLUMBIA REALTY OFFICE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE ARMENIAN SANTA CLAUS IS CALLED BUFFANA. IT IS A LEGEND
THAT AT CHRISTMAS TIME BUFFANA GOES THROUGH ALL THE STREETS OF
ARMENIA AND PASSES OUT PRESENTS TO ALL THE POOR CHILDREN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): Armenia ; Armenian ; Buffana ; GIFT GIVING ; holiday ; Legend ; Presents ; SANTA CLAUS ; ST. BEFANA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-26-1971