Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FERNDALE returned 247 results.
BELIEF
IF SOMEONE IS A GOOD STORY TELLER AND EXAGGERATOR, YOU SAY THEY
HAVE KISSED THE BLARNEY STONE.
Submitter comment: THE BLARNEY STONE IS PART OF THE BLARNEY CASTLE IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR LUCK GOES BAD, WALK AROUND THE HOUSE AND LOOK FOR A HEX SIGN
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS OF GERMAN ORIGIN, AND THINKS THE HEX
SIGN IS A CIRCLE WITH A CROSS INSIDE OF IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ; Hex ; LUCK ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
A CROSS IS USED TO WARD OFF VAMPIRES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
EACH TURN OF AN APPLE STEM IS COUNTED AS A LETTER, UNTIL IT BREAKS
OFF. THE LETTER AT WHICH IT BREAKS IS THE INITIAL OF YOUR FUTURE
SPOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
RICH MAN, POOR MAN, BEGGAR MAN, THIEF, DOCTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE IS REPEATED WHILE COUNTING THE BUTTONS ON YOUR CLOTHING
TO PREDICT THE KIND OF PERSON YOU WILL MARRY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PRAYER
MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU. MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACR.
MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE, THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR
FIELDS AND UNYIL WE MEET AGAIN-MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SANTA'S FOOTPRINTS
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING THERE WERE ALWAYS SNOWY WHITE FOOTPRINTS,
FROM THE FIREPLACE LEADING TO THE TREE. BUT THE SNOW DIDN'T MELT
AND WHEN YOU TOUCHED THE FOOTPRINT, THE WHITE "SANTA-DUST" CAME
OFF ON YOUR FINGER.
LATER, MY MOTHER TOLD ME SHE MADE THE FOOTPRINTS WITH LARGE
WET GALOSHES, DIPPED IN TALCUM POWDER. IT WAS EASY TO VACUUM
UP LATER, BUT IN THE MORNING, IT WAS PURER EVIDENCE EVEN THAN
ALL THE GIFTS, THAT SANTA HAD COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
THE CHICKENS
SAID THE FIRST LITTLE CHICKEN/WITH A QUEER LITTLE SQUIRM,
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A FAT LITTLE WORM."
SAID THE NEXT LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH AN OLD LITTLE SHRUG:
"I WISH I COULD FIND,/ A FAT LITTLE BUG."
SAID A THIRD LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH A FAINT LITTLE MOAN:
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A WEE GRAVEL STONE."
"NOW SEE HERE," SAID THE MOTHER,/ FROM THE GREEN GARDEN PATCH,
"IF YOU WANT ANY BREAKFAST,/ JUST COME HERE AND ASK."
Submitter comment: DEMONSTRATE ACTIONS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CHAIN ; QUATRAIN FOOD ; RHYME: ABCB ; TALKING ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
VERSE WITHIUT MUSIC
KINDERGARTEN BABY,/ WASH YOUR FACE ON GRAVY.
THEY ARE SULKING OR ACTING LIKE A BABY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID TO SOMEONE WHEN YOU ARE SCORNING THEM BECAUSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; FUNCTION ; IMPERFECT RHYME: BABY/ GRAVY ; REBUKE ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
MOON BELIEF
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON A FULL MOON IT WILL GROW TWICE AS LONG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SHAVED HER DAUGHTER'S HEAD WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG
BECAUSE SHE HAD A SCALP DISEASE. NOW HER DAUGHTER HAS
SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 12-07-1971
EDGE-WISE
WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH SHARP EDGES, A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
FOR EACH EDGE SO THAT THE FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE CUT.
Submitter comment:
FROM HER MOTHER
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
ONE GIRL ASKS A BOY,"MAKE ME A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH."
SO HE MADE IT. HE WAS ABOUT TO CUT IT WHEN THE GIRL SAID," DO
NOT CUT IT BECAUSE THAT WAY ALL THE FLAVOR GOES OUT."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Some BN crossed out [ P400; P500]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Flavor ; FOOD ; Peanut Butter ; Sandwich
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD ; KNIFE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Plant food Nut BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 09-26-1965
COACH SHADA
AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE A
PORTRAIT OF THE LATE COACH JOHN SHADA, WHO PUT THE SCHOOL IN THE
TOP OF ITS DIVISION FOR MANY YEARS, IS ACROSS FROM THE TROPHY
CASE. THE PASTOR TELLS PEOPLE IT IS THERE "SO JOHN CAN
WATCH HIS TROPHIES."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Schusterbaurr
Keyword(s): Coach ; DEATH ; Legend ; Trophy
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HEARTBURN IN PREGNANCY
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN GETS HEARTBURN, HER CHILD WILL BE BORN
WITH A LOT OF HAIR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE HEARD THIS WHEN SHE
WAS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001971 (SPRING)
HOLY COMMUNION
WHEN I WAS AROUND EIGHT YEARS OLD, I BELIEVED IF I CHEWED THE HOST,
MY TEETH WOULD ROT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BOTTOMS UP.
HORSE SHOES SHOULD BE HUNG OPEN END UP SO THAT
ALL THE GOOD LUCK WONT FLOW OUT OF THEM.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER FATHER BOB DEVLEIG
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 12-04-1965
NUMBER OF CHILDREN GIRL WILL HAVE
WHEN A GIRL RECEIVES GIFTS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF
BOWS THAT SHE BREAKS WILL BE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE REMEMBERS THIS FROM ALL
HER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF A BIRD FLIES THROUGH YOUR WINDOW, SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THEIR NEIGHBOR'S PARAKEET FLEW THROUGH THEIR
PATIO DOOR ONE SUMMER AND THAT THE NEXT DAY THEIR DOG WAS HIT BY
A CAR AND DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR DRESS TAIL IS TURNED UP, IT MEANS THAT YOU WILL GET A NEW
DRESS SOON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT EVERYTIME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HER SHE GOT A
NEW DRESS OR SOME CLOTHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 6, THE PARISH PRIESTS USED TO COME TO THE HOUSES OF THE
FAITHFUL AND BLESS THEM AND WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE
MEN IN CHALK ON ALL THE DOORS TO DRIVE ALL EVIL OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD, LIVING
WITH HER FAMILY IN WARSAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 04-08-1965