Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CAR returned 269 results.
LUCK
TO SWEEP TRASH OUT OF A DOOR AT NIGHT MEANS THAT YOU ARE SWEEPING YOUR LUCK AWAY.
INFORMANT SAID HER MOTHER TOLD HER THIS, AND SHE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Ruler or historic event BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
LUCK
IF YOU SHOULD STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE, TURN AROUND, AND SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO KEEP FROM HAVING BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY
DID THIS HERSELF WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION: LEFT ; STUB
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 10-26-1972
DREAM
TO DREAM OF DOLLARS MEANS GOOD LUCK TO THE DREAMER, BUT TO DREAM
OF CHANGE MEANS BAD LUCK. INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED
THIS DREAM HERSELF.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams Bad luck BELIEF -- Dreams Good luck BELIEF -- Dreams Money BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
DREAM
TO DREAM OF MUDDY WATER IS A SIGN OF SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY.
INFORMANT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS DREAM HIMSELF, BUT SAID A
RELATIVE HAD.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | 841 Dreams about the dead and sick BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about the dead and sick |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
DREAM
TO DREAM OF A NAKED MAN MEANS A WOMAN'S DEATH. INFORMANT HAD
NOT ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THIS DREAM, BUT SAID A FRIEND HAD.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
DREAM
TO DREAM OF A FUNERAL MEANS A WEDDING. INFORMANT SAID SHE HAD
THE DREAM ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A RELATIVE'S
WEDDING.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
JOKE
"DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THERE (CEMETERY)
ARE DEAD?"
-- ALL OF THEM.
Submitter comment: TOLD WHILE PASSING A CEMETERY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS CAR
Keyword(s): DEAD DEATH CEMETERY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE OVER WATER HOLD YOUR BREATH AND
PICK UP YOUR FEET OR YOU LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment: ACQUIRED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WHILE SHE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: PLACE TOLD IN CAR
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
NEVER WASH AND HANG CLOTHES ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, OR YOU'LL
WASH SOMEONE OUT OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: ITALY ; WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA ; ROME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 10-00-1970 ; 09-08-1971
Never sweep a visitors' foot with a broom. If this happens
have the person whose feet has been swept spit on the bottom of
the broom. If the person does not spit on the broom it will be
bad luck for that person.
Submitter comment:
It so happens that I was sweeping and accidently hit her
foot, she asked that I turn the broom upside down so that she
could spit on the bottom of it.
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FEVER
TO MAKE A FEVER GO DOWN MAKE A LIQUID MIXTURE OF PEACH LEAF TEA AND
DRINK IT OR TAKE A BATH IN THE MIXTURE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
FLU REMEDY
TO GET RID OF THE FLU
MAKE A LIQUID MIXTURE
COMPOSED OF CORN SHUCKS, HEAT THE MIXTURE
AND THEN DRINK IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
IF THE GROOM SEES THE BRIDE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE MARRIAGE, IT
WILL WORK OUT BADLY.
Where learned: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Language: Rhyme
Nonsense Rhyme:
Of all the fishies in the brook,
I'd rather be a bass.
I'd climb up on the biggest rock
And slide down on my hands and knees.
Submitter comment:
Undetermined Origin
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added By TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C730] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): Brook ; FISH ; Fishies ; Hands ; Knees ; Language ; NONSENSE ; RHYME ; Rock ; Slide
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
PROVERB: CAT
HAPPY AS A CAT IN A CREAMERY.
Submitter comment:
USED TO DENOTE EXTREME HAPPINESS OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN A GIVEN
CIRCUMSTANCE.
INFORMANT USED THIS WHEN HE SAW HIS SECRETARY WAS VERY HAPPY. HE
LEARNED WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
Entry filtered.
CHILL REMEDY
TO CURE ONE FROM CHILLS:
TAKE A STRING AND TIE AS MANY KNOTS IN THE STRING AS YOU HAVE CHILLS.
THEN SOAK STRING IN TURPENTINE AND WEAR STRING AROUND YOUR WAIST.
WHEN YOU LOSE THE STRING THE CHILLS WILL HAVE LONG AGO STOPPED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
RIDDLE QUESTION: CLOCK
"WHAT IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13?"
ANSWER: "TIME TO BUY A NEW CLOCK."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS JUST HAVING FUN BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE IS
NO CLOCK THAT WILL INFORM YOU THAT IT IS 13 O'CLOCK.
INFORMANT LEARNED IT AT WORK.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): RIDDLE JOKE: CLOCKS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
FOR EASTER BREAKFAST, THE FATHER TAKES A THIN WAFER WITH A FANCY
DESIGN ON IT. HE BREAKS IT IN HALF, THEN HE TAKES A PIECE. HE
PASSES IT ON TO THE OTHERS AND THEY ALL TAKE A PIECE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |