Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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OFTEN IN IRISH CULTURE A CAKE IS BAKED TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF
JESUS
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS ORIGINALLY COLLECTED IN WATERTOWN,, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
THE FIRST PERSON IN THE HOUSE AFTER MIDNIGHT ON NEW
YEAR'S EVE HAS TO BE A RED HAIRED PERSON TO INSURE
GOOD LUCK FOR THE HOUSE FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
A BLACK HAIRED PERSON WILL BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS MAKES SURE EITHER THE
RED HAIRED BROTHERS OR SISTERS ARE THE FIRST ONES
IN THE HOUSE NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
DURING A STORM, IT WAS A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY FOR THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSE TO TAKE HOLY WATER AND SPRINKLE IT
THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE TO PROTECT IT. THE ENTIRE FAMILY
WOULD ACCOMPANY THE FATHER ON A JOURNEY TO EVERY ROOM,
AND EVERY TIME HE SPRINKLED HOLY WATER ALL WOULD BLESS
THEMSELVES. (MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.)
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WAVERLY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado |
Date learned: 00001960 CA.
VOICES
ON THE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND, THERE ARE CONCRETE BUNKERS AND PILL-
BOXES LEFT OVER FROM WWII THAT WERE USED TO DEFEND THE COAST.
PEOPLE SAY THAT ONE CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF THE RADIO MAN AND THE
VOICES OF THE MEN THAT WERE STATIONED THERE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ENDWELL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War |
Date learned: 10-05-1968
VOICES
ON THE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND, THERE ARE CONCRETE BUNKERS AND PILL-
BOXES LEFT OVER FROM WWII THAT WERE USED TO DEFEND THE COAST.
PEOPLE SAY THAT ONE CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF THE RADIO MAN AND THE
VOICES OF THE MEN THAT WERE STATIONED THERE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ENDWELL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War |
Date learned: 10-05-1968
VOICES
ON THE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND, THERE ARE CONCRETE BUNKERS AND PILL-
BOXES LEFT OVER FROM WWII THAT WERE USED TO DEFEND THE COAST.
PEOPLE SAY THAT ONE CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF THE RADIO MAN AND THE
VOICES OF THE MEN THAT WERE STATIONED THERE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ENDWELL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War |
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
PUT THEM TOGETHER AND THAT MAKES YOU!!
Where learned: NEW YORK, ASSUMED ; ENDICOTT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 03-29-1960
CLEAN UNDERWEAR
MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT WHENEVER I GO OUT, THAT I SHOULD ALWAYS
REMEMBER TO WEAR CLEAN UNDER CLOTHING BECAUSE IN THE CASE OF AN
ACCIDENT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, THEN THE DOCTORS
AND NURSES WOULDN'T THINK I WAS FROM A POOR FAMILY, AND THEY ALSO
WOULDN'T TALK ABOUT ME AFTER I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; CHEEKTOWAGA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
THE HAUNTED ROOM
THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THERE IS A ROOM IN HER HOUSE,
FURNISHED WITH VERY OLD FURNITURE, WHICH NO ONE USES.
SHE SAYS IT IS ALWAYS VERY CHILLY, EVEN IN THE SUMMER
AND "GIVES HER THE CREEPS." ONCE, SHE AND SOME FRIENDS
TRIED TO HOLD A SEANCE IN THE ROOM. ONE OF THE GIRLS
STARTED SCREAMING AND PULLING HER HAIR. THE INFORMANT
BELIEVES THE ROOM TO BE HAUNTED.
Submitter comment:
GIRL GOES INSANE WHEN SEANCE IS HELD IN CHILLY, HAUNTED ROOM WITH OLD
FURNITURE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; RUSHFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-00-1970
THERE IS A CUSTOM THAT A TWIG OR A TREE IS PLACED ON THE TOP
OF A HOUSE AFTER ALL OF THE FRAME STRUCTURE IS COMPLETED.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY DAD IN 1964-5 AT HOME IN NEW
YORK.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone |
THREE FLIES UP
THREE FLIES UP IS A COMMON CHILDHOOD GAME. THE GAME FOLLOWS
THE USUAL RULES OF BASEBALL, WITH THE "BATTER" GIVEN THREE
OUTS, AND BOUNDARIES OF A FIELD ARE ESTABLISHED. THE GAME
IS USUALLY PLAYED BY TWO PEOPLE, A BATTER AND A FIELDER.
A RUBBER BALL IS THROWN AGAINST THE SIDE OF A TALL BRICK
WALL. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS FOR THE BATTER TO BOUNCE
THE BALL OFF THE WALL AND HAVE IT LAND IN THE FIELD
WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT, WHICH IS A HIT. RUNS ARE TALLIED
IN THE USUAL WAY, AND HOME RUNS ARE POSSIBLE, DEPENDING
ON THE FIELD BOUNDARIES. THE WINNER AT THE END OF THE
GAME HAS THE MOST RUNS.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED QUITE FREQUENTLY BY MYSELF DURING
CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: POUGHKEEPSIE ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STARLIGHT, STARBRIGHT
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT.
I WISH I MAY, WISH I MIGHT,
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM SISTER.
Where learned: NEW YORK, ASSUMED ; HAMBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
WEDDING TRADITION
THE BRIDE'S GARTER IS A GOOD LUCK TRADITION BEGUN IN THE
DAYS OF CHIVALRY BY THE KNIGHTS OF THE "ORDER OF THE
GARTER."
FATE IS SEALED FOR THE BACHELOR GAY,
WHEN THE BRIDE'S GARTER IS TOSSED HIS WAY.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK ; WEDDING SHOWER
| Subject headings: | 860 Belief |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
3 MAN
NEED 3-10 PEOPLE, 2 DICE AND A DRINK, PREFERABLY BEER, FOR
ALL THE PLAYERS. EVERYONE TAKES A TURN ROLLING A DIE. THE
FIRST TO ROLL A 3 IS "3 MAN." GOING CLOCKWISE AROUND THE
GROUP EVERYONE TAKES A TURN ROLLING. PERSON TO LEFT OF THE
"3 MAN" ROLLS FIRST, USING BOTH DICE. IF HE ROLLS A 7, THE
PERSON TO HIS RIGHT TAKES A DRINK. IF IT'S AN 11 THE PERSON
ON THE LEFT DRINKS. A 9 ROLLED IS A SOCIAL (EVERYONE DRINKS).
WHENEVER A 3 IS ROLLED, WHETHER ON THE DIE OR ADDED UP
(1+2) THE "3 MAN" MUST DRINK. IF A PLAYER ROLLS DOUBLES
HE GIVES ONE DIE EACH TO TWO PLAYERS. THEY ROLL THEIR DIE.
THE PERSON WITH THE HIGHER NUMBER TAKES THE NUMBER OF DRINKS
ON THE LOW ROLLED DIE (OR VICE VERSA). IF THE TWO DICE ROLLED
ARE THE SAME (DOUBLES) THEN ONE DIE IS GIVEN BACK TO THE
PERSON WHO ROLLED DOUBLES FIRST AND HE MUST DRINK DOUBLE THE
NUMBER HE ROLLS ON THE DIE (2-12 SIPS).
IF DICE ARE ROLLED AND NO ONE MUST DRINK THE ROLL IS REFERRED
TO AS "SHIT" OR A "SHITTY ROLL." THE DICE ARE THEN HANDED
TO THE NEXT PLAYER. IF DICE ARE ROLLED AND SOMEONE MUST DRINK
THE SAME PLAYER ROLLS AGAIN.
WHEN THE "3 MAN" ROLLS, IF HE ROLLS A 3 IN ANY FORM HE CAN
GIVE AWAY THE "3 MAN" STATUS TO ANYONE ELSE PLAYING.
VARIATIONS ARE:
FOR 9-10 PEOPLE THERE CAN BE TWO "3 MEN".
TO GET SOMEONE DRUNK FASTER THERE CAN BE AN "OH SHIT" PLAYER
(SIMILAR TO THE "3 MAN") WHO MUST DRINK WHEN A ROLL IS "SHIT"
(OTHER THAN A 3,7,9 OR 11). ONE PERSON MAY BE BOTH "3 MAN" AND
"OH SHIT" AT THE SAME TIME. HE WILL ALSO GET VERY DRUNK VERY
QUICKLY.
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK ; BAR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 07-00-1989
FLYING SAUCER?
THERE WAS A RUMOR AROUND RUSHFORD, NEW YORK THAT SOMEONE
HAD SEEN A SERIES OF LIGHTS IN THE WOODS OFF OF ONE OF
THE NEARBY ROADS. UPON INVESTIGATION IN THE MORNING,
THE PERSON FOUND A CLEARING IN THE WOODS WHERE A RING
OF CHARRED GRASS WAS FOUND INSIDE A CIRCULAR DITCH
ABOUT FORTY FEET IN DIAMETER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; RUSHFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Celestial Body |
Date learned: 00001962-1963
IF ONE RECEIVED A PIN OR BROOCH FOR A GIFT, ONE
ALWAYS GAVE THE GIVER A COIN, SO AS TO WARD
OFF BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 03-12-1972
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GIVE SOMEONE A PURSE OR MONEY
CONTAINER AND NOT PUT A PENNY OR COIN IN IT,
SINCE THEY WOULD THEN NEVER HAVE ANY MONEY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Money BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts |
Date learned: 03-12-1972
IF YOU OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE, IT WILL BRING
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU BREAK A MIRROR YOU WILL HAVE SEVEN YEARS BAD
LUCK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Bad luck Mirror |
Date learned: 03-12-1972
PUT BIRDS' NESTS IN YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE TO BRING GOOD
LUCK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN