Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for PENNSYLVANIA returned 515 results.
Ethnic: Hungarian
Hungarian Wedding:
The informant recalls that on her wedding day, when she returned to her new mother-in-law's home, she was greeted by the mother and asked to recite the "Our Father." When she came to the part "Give us this day our daily bread..." the mother handed her a loaf of bread saying "no matter how poor you may become, always remember that you will still have a loaf of bread." This is a common Hungarian Custom.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; FOOD ; HUNGARIAN ; MARRIAGE ; POVERTY ; PRAYER ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Yugoslavian
Engagement:
In Yugoslavia, parents still arrange any marriages. Thus, whenever a horn is heard blowing, everyone knows that an engagement has been decided. Often, the young people involved may be the last ones to know.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F533] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Arranged Marriages ; COURTSHIP ; DATING ; Engagement ; ETHNIC ; Horn ; MARRIAGE ; Weddings ; Yugoslavia
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Belgium
Homework Law:
In Belgium, where 51/2 days of school per week is the rule, there is a law which limits the amount of homework to 2 hours per day for any student.
Data entry tech comment:
Motif added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F574.5, F574.82] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; EDUCATION ; ETHNIC ; Homework ; Law ; SCHOOL ; Student
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Custom
Slate:
When the informant was of grade-school age, it was mandatory to come to school with a slate and a sponge wet enough to last for the whole day.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [M243] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; EDUCATION ; Learning ; Objects ; SCHOOL ; TOOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Custom
Bicycling:
In Belgium, where bicycles and bicycle racing is still very popular, it is very common to see people walking beside very nicely decorated bikes during a parade. Decorations could consist of colored paper, ribbons, or roses which might be interwoven in the spokes of the wheels, etc. This custom is continued for the spectacle and unique designs which appear.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on Tape.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [M247.6] crossed out and replaced with F536.
The word Bicycling is written across the top of the entry.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; RESIDENCE ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): ADORNMENT BEAUTIFICATION ; Belgium ; Bicycle ; Bicycling ; CUSTOM ; Decorate ; ETHNIC ; Parade ; Ribbons ; Roses
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Custom
Chimney Sweep:
In Belgium, or Europe for that matter, each house usually had two or more chimneys. Since they needed cleaning periodically, chimney sweeps were common. Some of these were employed by the cities for the purpose. But, in each case, it was good practice to give the sweeper a good tip, for if you didn't he would play tricks on you. For instance, he might come back to clean your chimney at a future date, but not tell you. Then you would be unprepared and the soot would come into the house because you didn't close the soot door in time.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on Tape
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [M848] crossed out and replaced with F534
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): BUSINESS ; Chimney Sweep ; CUSTOM ; Gratuity ; OCCUPATIONS: CHIMNEY SWEEPING ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; TIPPING ; WORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
THE GREEN WEENIE
PITTSBURGH SPORT FANS TRUSTED IN THE GREEN WEENIE
TO PUT A HEX ON THE OPPOSING BASEBALL TEAM.
THIS ORIGINATED WHEN BOB PRINCE, LOCAL SPORTSCASTER
JOKINGLY SUGGESTED THAT HE WOULD APPLY THE GREEN WEENIE
TO THE GIANTS AFTER THEY HAD A 9 RUN LEAD
IN THE LAST INNING. THE PIRATES WON THAT GAME AND A SURPRISING
NUMBER MORE WHEN THE WEENIE WAS MENTIONED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
SAYING
A GREEN CHRISTMAS MAKES A FULL GRAVEYARD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER WHO SAID THE SAYING WAS USED IN
DUNDEE, SCOTLAND WHERE SHE LIVED UNTIL SHE WAS AROUND 30 YEARS OLD.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER CAME TO AMERICA IN 1912, THREE YEARS AFTER
INFORMANT WAS BORN.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
SIGNS OF WAR
WHEN YOU ARE HUSKING CORN AND FIND A BLOODY EAR
%ONE WITH RED KERNELS< IT IS A SIGN OF WAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A FARMER IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA. WHO HE
HAS KNOWN FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. INFORMANT BELIEVES HE FIRST HEARD
THIS SAID DURING THE 1940'S.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
WAR
WHEN YOU FIND A LOCUST WITH A MARK LIKE A "W" ON IT, IT IS A SIGN
OF WAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS HEARING THIS SAID WHEN A YOUNG MAN DURING THE
1920'S. HE DOES NOT REMEMBER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH HE HEARD
IT SAID, AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE SAYING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
CHURCH NAMESDAY
IN BELGIUM, EACH CHURCH PARISH CELEBRATES "CHARAMESSE" (SP.),
PRONOUNCED KARA-MESS', ON THE SUNDAY NEAREST THE CHURCH'S
NAMEDAY. AT THIS TIME, THERE IS A CARNIVAL WITH MERRY-GO-ROUNDS,
RIDES AND AMUSEMENTS FOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
ASSUMPTION
IN ITALY, APPROXIMATELY 50 YEARS AGO, THE BIGGEST FEAST OF THE YEAR
WAS THE ASSUMPTION ON AUGUST 15. DURING THE DAY, EVERY HALF HOUR A
GROUP OF PEOPLE WOULD ENTER THE CHURCH AND THE PREVIOUS GROUP
WOULD LEAVE THEIR VIGIL. THERE WOULD BE BIG PROCESSIONS, PARADES
IN THE STREETS. THIS WOULD BE CONCLUDED WITH FIREWORKS AT NIGHT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
IN BELGIUM, ON MAY 1, PEOPLE GO OUT TO LOOK FOR LILLIES-OF-THE-
VALLEY. THEY WOULD THEN MAKE THEM INTO A BOUQUET AND GIVE IT
TO A LOVED ONE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
Ethnic: Belium
Funeral:
In Belgium, during funeral processions, the children would carry boquets or wreaths of flowers which they had picked.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on tape
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; BURIAL ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; ETHNIC ; FLOWERS ; Funeral ; RESPECT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Custom: Death
Funeral:
During a funeral, at the Mass at the Offertory, any of the people who wished to show their respects and show everyone else present of their sympathy, would walk down the aisle around the casket, leave a token and leave. Many people would leave the ceremonies immediately afterward to return to their businesses. But everyone had known that he had take time to pay his respects to the deceased.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S600] crossed out and replaced with current classification
Written in bottom left corner: [Belgian?]
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): BURIAL ; Casket ; DEATH ; Funeral ; Offering ; RESPECT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Ethnic: Belgium
Solemn Communion:
In Belgium, at the age of 12, there would be a Solemn Communion. Although they had made their First Communion at the age of 7, at this time, the children would assemble in Church to renew their Baptismal vows. there were weeklong preparations for the event. Girls wore white gowns, much in the manner of a bridal outfit. There would be a three day celebration. On the first day, the parents and godparents gathered at the child's home. The second day saw the cousins and other immediate relatives there. And on the third day, the neighbors and friends joined in the activities.
Submitter comment:
See also F5444
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; CHILDREN ; CHURCH ; Communion ; Community ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
THERE AIN'T THAT MUCH WALKING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS USED IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, FREQUENTLY
BETWEEN 1969 AND 1971 AS A REPLY TO A QUESTION OR COMMAND. IF
AN INDIVIDUAL WAS ASKED OR TOLD TO DO SOMETHING WHICH HE FELT
TO BE AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK OR, AT THE TIME, WAS TOO LAZY TO DO,
THE INDIVIDUAL WOULD REPLY THE ABOVE. OTHER TERMS WERE
SOMETIMES SUBSTITUTED FOR WALKING, SUCH AS: THINKING, DOING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
THAT WILL SET YOUR MOTHER'S PRESERVES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS SAID WHEN YOUNG (1915-20) AS A FORM OF
RETORT SIMILAR TO THAT'LL FIX YOUR APPLE CART.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
GOOD FRIDAY
IN BELGIUM, ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT IS BELIEVED THAT ALL THE CHURCH BELLS
FLEW TO ROME ON THAT DAY. THEY ALSO FLEW BACK ON EASTER SUNDAY AT
WHICH TIME THEY DROPPED EASTER EGGS FOR THE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: RECORDED ON TAPE
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
HALLOWEEN
IN BELGIUM, HALLOWEEN IS NOT CELEBRATED AT THE SAME TIME AS IN
AMERICA. AS A MATTER OF FACT, OUR MARDI GRAS IS THEIR HALLOWEEN.
IT IS ALWAYS CELEBRATED THE SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY BEFORE
ASH WEDNESDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent |