Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SAINT CLAIR returned 397 results.
OMENS
IF A PICTURE FALLS FROM THE WALL YOU WILL HEAR OF A DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
OMENS
IF YOU'RE OUT FOR THE EVENING AND YOU FIND A WHITE THREAD ON YOU,
THE LENTH OF THE THREAD TELLS HOW GOOD A TIME IT WILL BE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
ST. JOSEPH'S DAY--THE MIRACLE SAINT FOR ALL THINGS
A PROMISE BY THE WEALTHIER CLASS OF PEOPLE TO DONATE THEIR TIME AND
EFFORT TO ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO A BAND OF GOOD DOERS FOR THE
POOR. A COLLECTION WAS MADE FROM THE RICH AND POOR ALIKE IN TERMS
OF A HANDFUL OF BEANS FROM EACH FAMILY AND MADE INTO A MEAL FROM
ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEANS COLLECTED. THE HUGE VARIETY OF
BEANS WERE COOKED TOGETHER AND SERVED JUST AS IF IT WERE SAUCE WITH
SPAGHETTI. THE WEALTHIER PEOPLE ALSO COOKED SMALL LOAVES OF
BREAD AND DONATED THIS AS WELL AS ALL THE FRESH FRUITS WHICH WERE
SEASONAL AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. LEMONS, ORANGES, PEARS, APPLES,
FIGS AND EVERYTHING IMMAGINABLE WERE PLACED IN A HUGE BOWL IN THE
CENTER OF THE TABLE AND THE POOR WERE ALL INVITED TO HAVE THEIR
DINNER WITH THEIR BENEFACTORS ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY. IT WAS A WAY
FOR THE HIGHER CLASS TO SHOW THEIR GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OWN FORTUNES
AND TO SHARE WITH THE LESS FORTUNATE. CELEBRATED ON MARCH 19TH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 19 Feast of St. Joseph CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-31-1971
EASTER CUSTOM (GREEK)
ON GOOD FRIDAY FOUR PEOPLE CARYY A HUGE FLOWER-COVERED FLOAT CALLED
AN EPITAPHIOUS. THIS CONSISTS OF LARGE FLOWER-COVERED ARCHES WITH
A CROSS IN THE MIDDLE. AT MIDNIGHT, THIS IS PLACED IN THE CHURCH ON
THE EAST SIDE FACING EAST. ON EASTER MORNING, ALL OF THE FAMILIES
TAKE BLESSED FLOWERS OFF THE STRUCTURE TO TAKE HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
SUPERSTITION
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN TOUCHES A PLANT, IT WILL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | 870 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
SUPERSTITION
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE A PREGNANT WOMAN IN YOUR WEDDING PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.545 |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
OMENS
IF A GENTLEMAN LETS A LADY WALK ON THE CURB SIDE, IT MEANS
THAT HE HAS HER FOR SALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIVALRY ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
BELIEF
IF A GIRL IS GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, SHE SHOULD
LIFT HER FEET UP WHILE GOING OVER, OR ELSE SHE WILL BREAK
UP WITH THE GUY SHE IS GOING WITH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 02-18-1971
BELIEF
A PENNY IN A NEW WALLET WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck P881.15 |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
BELIEF
PUT NAIL POLISH IN THE ICEBOX, IT KEEPS THE POLISH FROM GETTING
THICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
NO CHRIST CHILD IN THE MANGER BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: SHE WILL NOT PUT THE FIGURE IN THE MANGER BEFORE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Custom CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
PLANT SUPERSTITION
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN TOUCHES A PLANT, THE PLANT WILL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
PLANT BELIEF
PUT A PENNY IN YOUR TULIPS AND THEY WILL KEEP FRESHER IN THE VASE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT MINERAL: COPPER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
IRISH BELIEF
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR LIPS WHEN YOU KISS THE BLARNEY STONE?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-25-1968
WEATHER BELIEF
DON'T STEP ON AN ANT. IT WILL RAIN TOMMORROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
KRIS KRINGLES
"AT THE BEGINNING OF THE ADVENT SEASON, MY FAMILY PRACTICES THE
CUSTOM OF 'KRIS KRINGLES.' EACH PERSON WILL PUT THEIR NAME ON A
PIECE OF PAPER AND PUT IT IN A CONTAINER. THEN EACH PERSON WILL
DRAW OUT A NAME AND KEEP IT A SECRET. DURING THE PERIOD OF ABOUT
FOUR WEEKS, WE WILL DO SPECIAL THINGS FOR THE PERSON WHOSE NAME
WE DREW. ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE WILL TRY TO GUESS WHO HAD OUR NAME."
Submitter comment:
WE PRACTICED THIS FOR MANY YEARS. MY MOTHER SAID THAT A RELATIVE
TOLD HER ABOUT IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 01-00-1984
HAUNTED STREET
A STREET NEAR OUR HOUSE, ROBERTJOHN, IS REPORTED TO HAVE A
"THUMPING" WHENEVER A CAR PASSES OVER A CERTAIN PORTION OF IT.
THIS IS SAID TO HAVE RESULTED FROM AN ACCIDENT WHERE A PERSON
WAS RUN OVER, AND THEN STUFFED INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR;
HOWEVER, ONE ARM DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT IN AND AS THE CAR DROVE
AWAY, THE ARM KEPT HITTING THE STREET, CAUSING THE THUMPING,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001960S
DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY GOING AROUND KMART 4177 OF A SHIPMENT OF
CLOTHES FROM OVERSEAS THAT, WHEN OPENED, SNAKES WERE FOUND
INSIDE, MIXED IN WITH THE CLOTHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): K-MART OR K MART DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
PETE AND REPEAT
PETE AND REPEAT WERE WALKING ON A BRIDGE, AND PETE FELL IN,
SO WHO WAS LEFT? REPEAT. PETE AND REPEAT WERE WALKING ON A
BRIDGE, AND PETE FELL IN SO WHO WAS LEFT? REPEAT. PETE AND REPEAT.
Submitter comment:
THE PERSON TO WHOM THE JOKE IS BEING TOLD ANSWERS THE QUESTION
WHO IS LEFT? WHICH TRIGGERS THE PUNCHLINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): PROSE ROUND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
PASTIME
THIS IS A PASTIME IN WHICH THE PERSON CRUSHES A CAN WITH HIS
FOOT, SORT OF "MOLDING" THE CAN TO THE SHAPE OF THE SHOE.
YOU THEN TRY TO SEE HOW LONG YOU CAN WALK ON IT, WITHOUT IT
FALLING OFF YOUR SHOE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): CAN CONTAINER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 10-00-1972