Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GERMAN CUSTOM
AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SAUERKRAUT, PEAS AND
HERRING WAS SERVED ON WEDGES OF BREAD OR DRACKERS.
THEY REPRESENT GOOD HEALTH, MANY FRIENDS, AND WEALTH.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
SWAY TO THE LEFT
SWAY TO THE RIGHT
STAND UP, SIT DOWN
FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT
Submitter comment:
CAN BE USED FOR BASKETBALL CONTESTS.
AS THE CHEER IS BEING SAID, THE SPECTATORS DO AS THEY ARE
SWAYING, I.E., THEY SWAY AND STAND, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SHIVAREE OR BELLING
CHILDREN AND GROWNUPS WOULD GATHER (FROM SEVERAL MILES
IN ALL DIRECTIONS) OUTSIDE THE HOUSE OF NEWLYWEDS ON
THEIR HONEYMOON NIGHT AND "SHIVAREE" THEM, BEATING ON
TIN PANS AND MAKING OTHER LOUD NOISES. IF THE GANG
WAS EXPECTED THAT EVENING, THE NEWLYWEDS NEVER LIT A
LAMP. THE CROWD DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF THEY WERE
HOME AND AFTER SOME TIME OF THIS TERRIBLE NOISE
MAKING, WOULD LEAVE. BUT IF THEY WERE SURE THEY WERE
HOME, THIS NOISE WAS KEPT UP UNTIL THE YOUNG COUPLE GOT
DRESSED AND SERVED THE GANG REFRESHMENTS. THE SHIVAREE
USUALLY TOOK PLACE ABOUT MIDNIGHT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.1341 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF
IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE A THREAD HANGING FROM ONE'S CLOTHES.
PULLING THE THREAD OFF COUNTERACTS THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BRUCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AT THE END OF A JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY, THE GROOM MUST STEP ON AND
BREAK A SHOT GLASS. THIS IS DONE FOR GOOD LUCK
Submitter comment: THIS WAS LEARNED IN HEMSTEAD, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HEMSTEAD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Stepping on wine glass BELIEF -- Good luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE THE INFORMANT AND THE MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY
SECRETLY PUT SOME MONEY UNDERNEATH THE TABLECLOTH ON THE KITCHEN
TABLE. THE MONEY IS COLLECTED ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND LATER IN THE WEE
IT IS GIVEN TO A CHARITY.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY FOR TW
GENERATIONS. IT BEGAN WITH THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER WHO LEARNED IT AS
A CHILD IN AMERICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 11-12-1979
CHILDREN'S SCHOOL VERSE
SCHOOL'S OUT, SCHOOL'S OUT,
TEACHER LET THE MONKEYS OUT.
Where learned: PORT CLINTON ; OHIO, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FORECASTING WINTER
ACCORDING TO INFORMANT, IF ACORN TREES PRODUCE AN ABUNDANCE OF ACORNS
ONE CAN EXPECT A LONG HARD WINTER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): OAK TREES PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Plants |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
SHAVE AND A HAIRCUT
SIX BITS,
WHO IS THE BARBER?
TOM MIX.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): TOM MIX=OLD TIME MOVIE STAR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
A GIFT OF RED ROSES IS A SIGN OF TRUE LOVE.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Gifts |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU ARE WORKING AND YOU STUMBLE ON A ROCK WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT,
GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. IF IT IS THE LEFT FOOT THEN THE FUTURE
HOLDS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
BLUE NOSE
BLUE-NOSE: NAME GIVEN TO SUBMARINERS WHO PASS AN INITIATION CEREMONY
UPON CROSSING THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
DR. SNIDER'S WIFE, KIT, ALWAYS MAKES A RASPBERRY JELLO MOLD
FOR THANKSGIVING. ONE YEAR SHE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE
USUAL INGREDIENTS AND THE FAMILY COMPLAINED FOR WEEKS. NOW SHE
MAKES THE JELLO EVERY YEAR TO AVOID ANY HASSLES.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRADITION WHICH STARTED WITH THE SNIDERS WITHIN
THE LAST THIRTY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
A GROUP OF CHILDREN SAY:
WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JAR?
JOHNNY STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JAR.
JOHNNY ANSWERS: WHO, ME?
ALL: YES, YOU.
JOHNNY: COULDN'T BE.
ALL: THEN, WHO?
JOHNNY: SUSIE STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JAR.
SUSIE: WHO, ME?
ALL: YES, YOU.
SUSIE: COULDN'T BE.
ALL: THEN, WHO?
ETC, ETC. ETC.
Where learned: LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
TO CURE FROSTBITE SOAK THE FROZEN LIMB IN KEROSENE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; GADSDEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 10-01-1973
TO CURE AN EARACHE, BLOW TOBACCO SMOKE IN THE EAR.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; GADSDEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-01-1973
POLISH
WHENEVER THE PEOPLE ATTENDING A BREAKFAST OR A
RECEPTION OF A WEDDING COUPLE, TAP THE WATER GLASS
WITH A PIECE OF SILVERWARE SIGNIFIES THEIR WISH
TO SEE THE COUPLE KISS.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Glassware tapping |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOOD LUCK
OLD SCOTTISH WOMEN WOULD APPROACH A U.S. NAVY SAILOR WHO WAS WEARING
THE "CRACKER JACK" UNIFORM, WHICH IS THE UNIFORM WITH THE BELL-BOTTOM
TROUSERS, AND RUB THE STARS ON THE BACK FLAP OF THE UNIFORM SHIRT
FOR GOOD LUCK. THIS TOOK PLACE IN 1976 IN HOLY LOCH SCOTLAND.
Submitter comment:
THE GOOD LUCK FEELING ATTACHED TO THIS PRACTICE SEEMS TO HAVE COME
FROM WORLD WAR TWO WHEN THE AMERICANS ENTERED THE WAR TO HELP THE
BRITISH ISLES IN FIGHTING GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
IN THE NIGERIAN TRIBE HAUSA, THE COUPLE DOES NOT BEGIN TO LIVE
TOGETHER UNTIL TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THE WEDDING.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN NIGERIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Number P686.1.14 |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
PLANTING CUSTOM
AT PLANTING TIME, YOU EXCHANGE SEEDLINGS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR BUT
DO NOT PLANT THEM UNTIL A SIGNAL IS GIVEN BY THE RAIN PEOPLE, WHO ARE
THOSE WISE MEN WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-00-1981