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 DETROIT returned 16887 results.
NICKNAME (SUGAR)
SHE TELLS ME THAT A BOY SHE KNOWS IS CALLED SUGAR, BECAUSE ABOUT 2
YRS. AGO, WHEN SHE WAS PLAYING WITH A DOG NAMED SUGAR, SHE CALLED THE
DOG, AND THIS BOY CAME. HE WAS THEN NICKNAMED SUGAR, AND THE NAME
STUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
FESTIVAL CUSTOM
ON CHINESE NEW YEAR, THE MALAYSIANS BELIEVE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT
CURSE, SCOLD, OR BE MEAN TO OTHERS AND THAT THEY SHOULD START OUT
THE NEW YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
FESTIVAL CUSTOM
THE MALAYSIANS BELIEVE THAT TO SWEEP THE FLOOR ON CHINESE NEW YEAR
IS BAD BECAUSE ALL THE GOOD LUCK IS SWEPT AWAY.
Submitter comment:
NO FIXED DATE WAS GIVEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF CHINESE NEW YEAR IN
MALAYSIA. GENERALLY THIS HOLIDAY IS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY OR
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
MICHIGAN STATE LOTTERY BELIEF
THE MICHIGAN STATE LOTTERY DAILY NUMBERS GAME HAS THIS LIST OF
NUMBERS WHICH THEY NEVER LET WIN. THEY PICK THESE NUMBERS BECAUSE
PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BET ON THEM BECAUSE THEY THINK THESE
NUMBERS ARE LUCKY. INFORMANT THEN SUGGESTED SOME LOGICAL NUMBERS
WHICH COLLECTOR FORGETS. INFORMANT KNOWS THIS BECAUSE HE USED TO BE
ON THESE NUMBERS AND STILL FOLLOWS THEM AND THESE NUMBERS HAVE NEVER
WON. INFORMANT BELIEVES THERE MUST BE SOME STATISTICAL WAY TO PROVE
HIS THEORY.
Submitter comment:
DR. MARTIN REALLY SEEMED TO BELIEVE THIS THEORY AND TRIED TO CONVINC
ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
IF YOU COUNT THE TEETH OF A COMB, THEY WILL ALL FALL OUT.
MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS LUCY COTTON 30, DIVORCED BLACK-AMERICAN
ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, A CO-WORKER AT HENRY FORD HOSPITAL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
AT SIENA HEIGHTS COLLEGE, IN ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, THE STUDENTS
WOULD PUT THEIR SHOES OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF THEIR ROOM
ON DECEMBER 6, AND THE NEXT MORNING THERE WOULD BE AN
APPLE AND SOME CANDY IN THEIR SHOES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ADRIAN
Keyword(s): Apples ; CANDY ; Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; SHOES ; ST. NICHOLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
GRACE
WE SAY GRACE HOLDING HANDS. EVERYONE FORMS A CIRCLE OF HANDS AROUND
THE TABLE AND ONE PERSON EITHER SAYS GRACE OR JUST SPONTANEOUSLY
THANKS GOD FOR THE FOOD OR THE DAY, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ART CRAFT
IN THE EARLY SIXTIES A SYMBOL FOR PEACE WAS DESIGNED BY SOMEONE
SOMEWHERE AND CAUGHT ON. IT HAS BECOME INTERNATIONAL. ONE SEES THIS
SYMBOL ON JOAN BAEZ, BOB DYLAN AND BAN THE BOMB POSTERS IN LONDON AT
EASTER TIME.
James Callow comment:
JOAN BAEZ & BOB DYLAN ARE POPULAR FOLK SINGERS INVOLVED IN ANTI-WAR
ACTIVITIES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P663 P663.1 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
TO SPIT ON A NEW-BORN BABY
WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKS AT ANOTHER'S NEW BORN BABY THEY MUST HAVE A
LITTLE SALIVA FALL UPON THE CHILD. IF NOT, THE EVIL EYE IS CAST UPON
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
SUPERSTITION.
INDIAN TRIBES IN MICHIGAN BELIEVED THAT LEAVES CHANGED COLOR BECAUSE
THE CELESTIAL HUNTERS HAD SLAIN THE GREAT BEAR AND ITS BLOOD,
DRIPPING ON THE TREES, TURNED THE LEAVES RED. LEAVES ON OTHER TREES
WERE SAID TO TURN YELLOW BECAUSE FAT SPLATTERED OUT OF THE KETTLE
ONTO THE TREES AS THE HUNTERS COOKED THE MEAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Plant Life |
GAMES
LOSERS OF GAMES WOULD BE "PUNISHED" BY GOING THROUGH THE "RICKETS".
ALL, EXCEPT THE LOSER, WOYLD STAND IN A ROW; ONE BEHIND EACH OTHER;
SPREAD THEIR LEGS FAR APART AND THE LOSER WOULD CRAWL THROUGH
GETTING SPANKED ALONG THE WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00001960S
EPITAPH, FOUND IN BOOT HILL
HERE LIES LESTER MOORE
SIX SLUGS FROM A .44
NO LESS, NO MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH FROM GUNSHOT ; PUN ON PERSONAL NAME ; RHYME: AAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
EAT A LOT OF CARROTS
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF CARROTS YOU WILL HAVE PRETTY EYES.
WAS A WAY MOTHERS IN ITALIAN FAMILIES GOT THEIR CHILDREN TO EAT FOOD
IF THEY DID NOT LIKE IT>
Submitter comment: PASSED DOWN FROM MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
BIG NOSE
CHRIS BELIEVED, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, THAT IF SHE TOLD A LIE
HER NOSE WOULD GROW.
Submitter comment: SHE THINKS HER PARENTS LED HER TO THAT BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LYING ; PINOCCHIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
MYSTERY STREET
THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 03-15-1967
SIGNS OF ANGER
HIS JAWS ARE GETTING TIGHT.
I HEARD THE COLORED LABORERS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT USE THE
EXPRESSION "HIS JAWS ARE GETTIN' TIGHT" TO INDICATE THAT A
PERSON WAS BECOMING ANGRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
BELIEF
LITTLE WHITE BRUISES UNDER YOUR NAILS ARE BEAUTY MARKS.
Submitter comment:
CHRIS LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER. SINCE THEY ARE OF POLISH DESCENT,
IT IS A POLISH BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
ITCH IN THE PALM OF THE HAND
IF THE PALM OF THE HAND ITCHES IT MEANS THAT YOUR GOING TO GET SOME
UNEXPECTED/SURPRISING MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
EAR IS RINGING
IF YOUR EAR IS RINGING, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching ear |
Date learned: 12-00-1982