Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SOUTHFIELD returned 444 results.
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
A BABY CONCIEVED IN A ODD MONTH WILL BE A BOY.
A BABY CONCIEVED IN AN EVEN MONTH WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific) BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific) |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
REMEDY
TO CURE AN EARACHE TAKE AN ONION AND BAKE IT FULLY
PEEL THE ONION DOWN TO THE HEART
PLACE THE HOT ONION HEART IN THE EAR AND THE PAIN WILL DISAPPEAR
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A REMEDY PASSED ON FROM JUDY'S GRANDMOTHER TO HER OWN
MOTHER. JUDY HERSELF HAS NOT TRIED THE REMEDY, BUT HER MOTHER CLAIMS
IT WORKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
GAME
THE OBJECT OF THIS THINKING GAME IS TO GUESS WHY TILLY WILLIS
LIKES CERTAIN THINGS AND NOT OTHERS. THE PERSON WHO IS EXPLAINING
THE GAME BEGINS BY SAYING, TILLY WILLIS IS ODD AND QUEER BUT NOT
PECULISR. SHE LOVES APPLES BUT HATES PEACHES.
SHE LOVES GREEN BUT SHE HATES RED. THE PERSON CONTINUES TO
GIVE LOVE AND HATE EXAMPLES UNTIL ONE OF THE PLAYERS
RESPONDS WITH WHAT HE THINKS TILLY WILLIS LOVES OR HATES.
THE CLUE TO THE GAME IS IN THE OPENING LINE.
TILLY WILLIS ODD AND QUEER ARE ALL WORDS CONTAINING DOUBLE LETTERS.
THE PLAYER WHO GUESSES THAT TILLY LOVES EVERYTHING
SPELLED WITH A DOUBLE LETTER, IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ALTERNATE TITLE: THE QUEEN ; SPELLING
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
LIFE IS LIKE A BEAVER COLONY, ONE DAMN THING AFTER ANOTHER
Submitter comment: THIS WAS MY PHILOSOPHY IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PUN ON DAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
VOCABULARY FOR MARIJUANA SMOKERS
BLOW A DUBE
Submitter comment: DUBE IS ANOTHER NAME FOR A JOINT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Underworld |
COMMON WORD
BOOKIN
Submitter comment: SOMEONE IS READY TO LEAVE, SO HE SAYS , I MUST BE BOOKIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
VOCABULARY FOR MARIJUANA SMOKERS
JONESIN
Submitter comment: IT MEANS TO MOOCH SOME POT WHEN ONE HAS NONE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Underworld |
Date learned: 07-00-1978
IF YOU ADD AN ADDITION ON TO YOUR HOUSE, THE ADDITION CAN'T TOUCH
THE HOUSE OR BE CONNECTED TO THE HOUSE OR SOMEONE WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER HAD THIS BELIEF AND TOLD IT TO HER CHILDREN. SHE
HAD A ROOM ADDED TO HER HOUSE. IT WAS CONNECTED TO THE HOUSE ONLY
BY A ROOF.
BREEZEWAY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Permanent and Temporary Dwelling ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Separate structure accessory to dwelling BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR DURING A FULL MOON, IT WILL GROW LONGER.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WILL GROW.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
IN NEW ORLEANS CERTAIN HOUSES WERE CONSIDERED HAUNTED. THE
OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSES SAID THE SPIRITS CAME OUT AT NIGHT. SOME
OF THE PEOPLE SWORE THEIR CHILDREN WOULD WAKE UP WITH MARKS ON
THEM THAT WERE NOT ON THEM THE DAY BEFORE. THE PEOPLE CLAIMED
THEY COULD FEEL THE PRESENCE OF SPIRITS IN THEIR HOMES. THEY
SAID TO GET RID OF THE GHOSTS, YOU HAD TO USE PROFANITY AND THE
GHOSTS WOULD LEAVE FOR AWHILE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE WERE A
MAN, HIS WIFE AND HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW. BOTH MEN DIED IN THE HOUSE
AND WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE. MY GRANDMOTHER
LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS HAUNTED HOUSE. ONE DAY SHE SAW
ONE MAN COME OUT THE SIDE DOOR. AS HE WALKED TOWARD THE FRONT OF
THE HOUSE SHE NO LONGER SAW HIM BUT SAW A BLACK CAT INSTEAD. MY
GRANDMOTHER SWEARS THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
SWEARING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
DON'T LET YOUR LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHT HAND IS DOING.
Submitter comment:
THIS STATEMENT MEANS DON'T TELL YOUR PRIVATE AFFAIRS TO PEOPLE
YOU THINK ARE CLOSE TO YOU. SOME THINGS ARE PERSONAL AND SHOULD
BE KEPT TO YOURSELF. MY GRANDMOTHER PREACHED THIS RELIGIOUSLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
IN NEW ORLEANS, THERE WAS AN UNWRITTEN RULE THAT IF YOU WENT OUT
ON A DATE AT NIGHT, YOU HAD TO BE BACK BY TWELVE O' CLOCK MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER'S COUSIN WENT OUT ONCE ON A DATE AND CAME BACK FROM HER
DATE AFTER 12:00 A.M.. HER FATHER WOULD NOT LET HER IN THE HOUSE.
HE TOLD HER DATE TO TAKE HER BACK WHERE HE HAD HER. LUCKILY, THE
BOY MARRIED THE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
THERE WAS A BELIEF IN NEW ORLEANS THAT YEARS AGO, JEAN LA FITTE,
A PIRATE, HAD CHESTS OF MONEY BURIED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. USUALLY PEOPLE GOT KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CHEST
WAS ON THEIR PROPERTY IN A DREAM. THESE PEOPLE WOULD THEN HIRE
DIGGERS TO COME AND SEARCH FOR THE TREASURE ON THEIR PROPERTY.
THESE DIGGERS WOULD DISCUSS THEIR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GHOSTS
OF MEN WHO WERE KILLED AND THEIR BODIES BURIED WITH THE TREASURE
TO PROTECT IT. ON OCCASIONS, THEY WOULD TALK WITH THE GHOST AND
CALL THEM BY NAME. THEY SWORE THAT THE GHOSTS TALKED WITH THEM.
THE OBJECT OF THE DIGGERS WAS TO GET THE GHOST TO RELEASE THE
TREASURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
TOM THUMB WEDDING
THE TOM THUMB WEDDING IS A CUSTOM IN NEW ORLEANS. A MINIATURE
WEDDING IS HELD WHERE ONLY CHILDREN ARE THE PARTICIPANTS. THE
LITTLE BOY WHO PORTRAYS THE GROOM DRESSES LIKE THE GROOM. A
LITTLE GIRL DRESSES LIKE THE BRIDE. WEDDING ATTENDANTS ARE
INCLUDED. THE WHOLE RITUAL OF GETTING MARRIED IS ACTED OUT.
Submitter comment:
THIS WEDDING IS HELD TO RAISE MONEY FOR VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE WEDDING SELL TICKETS TO RAISE MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Religious DRAMA -- Secular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS
INVITED TO A BALL ON A DRAWBRIDGE IN FRANCE. WHEN THE GIRL
AWAKENED THE MORNING OF THE DANCE, HER MOTHER TOLD HER OF A DREAM
SHE HAD THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE WAS GOING TO
HAPPEN AT THE PARTY. IN SPITE OF HER MOTHER'S PLEAS, TO STAY
HOME, THE GIRL WENT TO THE DANCE. THAT NIGHT AT THE PARTY THE
BRIDGE HAPPENED TO OPEN AND ALL THE PEOPLE FELL INTO THE WATER AND
DROWNED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
DREAM AS OMEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Dreams BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
THE WALLS HAVE EARS.
Submitter comment:
THE WALLS HAVE EARS WAS SAID BY MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER TO HER
CHILDREN WHENEVER THEY WERE LOUD. IT IMPLIED TO LOWER YOUR VOICE
SO THE NEIGHBORS WON'T HEAR YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-00-1979 ; CA00001949
HEAP SEE, BUT FEW KNOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THINGS BUT THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW
OR UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS HAPPENING. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE KNOW. THIS
WAS SAID BY MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-00-1979 ; CA00001949
"BRAIDING THE MAY POLE"
IN NEW ORLEANS IN THE MONTH OF MAY A LOCAL CUSTOM CALLED "BRAIDING
THE MAY POLE" TOOK PLACE. CHILDREN DRESSED IN DIFFERENT COSTUMES
HAD A ROUTINE IN WHICH THEY WALKED AROUND THE POLE ON TO WHICH
DIFFERENT COLORED RIBBONS WERE TIED WHILE MUSIC PLAYED. AT THE
END OF THE ROUTINE, THE RIBBON FORMED A BRAID AROUND THE POLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
THE CROWNING OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
ON A SUNDAY IN MAY THE CATHOLICS IN NEW ORLEANS HELD A PROCESSION
TO CELEBRATE THE CROWNING OF THE BLESSED MOTHER. MOSTLY CHILDREN
DRESSED IN WHITE AND PASTELS WALKED ABREAST AHEAD OF A LITTLE
GIRL WHO CARRIED A CROWN MADE OF ROSES. THEY WALKED FOR SEVERAL
BLOCKS IN THE AREA OF THE CHURCH WHILE SINGING CHURCH HYMNS.
THE PROCESSION ENDED AT THE CHURCH WHERE THE GIRL WHO CARRIED THE
CROWN PLACED IT ON THE HEAD OF THE STATUE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER.
INCLUDED IN THE PROCESSION WERE LITTLE GIRLS CARRYING BASKETS OF
ROSE PETALS. THEY WALKED IN THE CHURCH WHILE KISSING A SINGLE
PETAL AT A TIME AND THREW IT ON THE FLOOR. BENEDICTION FOLLOWED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-00-1979