Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THERE ARE TWO STONE STATUES OF LIONS ON EITHER SIDE
OF THE STEPS IN FRONT OF THE U. OF M. LIBRARY. IT
IS SAID THAT IF A GIRL IS A VIRGIN, WHEN SHE WALKS
UP THESE STEPS, THE LIONS WILL ROAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR ; STUDENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
Date learned: 09-19-1969
CAUSE OF ILLNESS
IF YOU EAT TOO MANY STRWBERRIES,
YOU WILL GET A STRAWBERRY MARK ON YOUR NECK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Keyword(s): FOOD ; PUNISHMENT FOR IMMODERATE EATING. ; STRAWBERRY ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
SWIFTIES, TOM
"I HAVE VERY FEW IN MY GARDEN." HE SAID LACKADAISICALLY.
Where learned: WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): LAZY DAISY
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
BELIEF
IF YOUR RIGHT EYE JUMPS, SOMEONE WILL MAKE YOU MAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
BELIEF
IN CELTIC COUNTRIES PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOOD LUCK
TO PUT NAILS IN THE CRIB OF A NEWBORN BABY. THIS PROTECTS
THEM FROM THE FAIRIES WHICH ACCORDING TO LEGEND CAME IN THE
NIGHT AND TOOK ALL BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND LEFT UGLY BABIES OR
"CHANGLINGS" IN THEIR PLACE. IF A MOTHER HAD A PARTICULARLY
UGLY CHILD SHE WOULD OFTEN SAY IT WAS A CHANGLING AND NOT HER
REAL CHILD. INCIDENTLY, PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT IRON WAS MAGICAL AND
SO IT IS NOT THE NAILS BUT THE IRON THAT THEY ARE MADE OUT OF
WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING THE GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment: "YOU" IS PROFESSOR FRANK PAULSEN.
Where learned: CLASS DURING WHICH HE SUBSTITUTED FOR YOU
Keyword(s): CHANGELINGS
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WISHING DITTY
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT,
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT;
I WISH I MAY, I WISH I MIGHT
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.
Submitter comment: MUST BE RECITED TO FIRST STAR SEEN FOR WISH TO COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 04-05-1967
A SHARP TONGUE IS THE ONLY EDGED TOOL THAT GROWS
CONSTANT USE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-22-1971
VISITORS
IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE FRONT DOOR AND GOES OUT THE
BACK, IT WILL BRING MORE COMPANY. SO YOU ALWAYS TELL
PEOPLE TO COME IN AND OUT THE SAME DOOR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD AND STILL BIDES BY IT TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
A WOMAN SHOULD ALWAYS DRINK BEER DURING PREGNANCY.
IT MAKES THE BABY GOOD LOOKING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT REVEALED THAT HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS FATHER WHO OWNED A BA
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-26-1971
THEY CLAP AND HE DANCES.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; ; TOLD AT ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 03-06-1970
SWEDISH WINE MAKING FESTIVAL ( FALL )
TRADITIONALLY, EACH FALL THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS, MINN. CARRY BUSHEL
BASKETS OF GRAPES FROM THEIR FARMS TO THE TOWN ON FOOT. THE BASKETS
OF GRAPES ARE THEN DUMPED INTO A LARGE VAT AND STOMPED BY BAREFOOTED
GIRLS. AFTER EACH BUSHEL IS DUMPED, THE FARMERS RELAX AND HAVE
SOME OF THE WINE THAT HAD BEEN MADE THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND OPEN(ED)
FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FESTIVAL. AFTER THIS THEY RETURN TO THEIR
FARMS AND PICK-UP ANOTHER BASKET OF GRAPES, REPEATING THE
PROCEDURE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE CUSTOM FROM HIS WIFE WHO IS OF SWEDISH DESCENT.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; WEST BEND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
RUSSIAN PROVERB
HE WHO DOES NOT HAVE FRIENDS LIVES ONLY HALF A LIFE.
Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- V233 |
RUSSIAN PROVERB
HE WHO FEARS NOTHING STILL FEARS PEOPLE LAUGHING AT HIM.
Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA
Keyword(s): DERISION SCORN, SATIRE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- V233 |
Date learned: 00001898 - 1905
GERMAN SONG
DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZON.
DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZEN,
DU, DU LIEGST MIR IM SINN.
DU, DU MAEHST MIR VIEL SCHMER-ZEN,
WEIST NICHT WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN;
JA, JA, JA, JA WEIST NIGHT, WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN! MM
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART.
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART,
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY MIND.
YOU, YOU GIVE ME MUCH PAIN,
DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU.
YES, YES, YES, YES DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU!
Submitter comment:
FIRST VERSE OF TWO VERSES. SUNG WHILE A CHILD IN FREEPORT,
MINNESOTA (NEAR ST. CLOUD).
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; FREEPORT ; NEAR ST CLOUD
Keyword(s): GERMAN ; LOVE ; Lyrics ; Poetry ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
PROVERB
HE WHO IS WILLING TO WORK FINDS IT HARD TO WAIT.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
Keyword(s): EAGERNESS ; THE WILLING WORKER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
EPIPHANY CUSTOM
THE LETTERS KMB ARE WRITTEN ABOVE A DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE WITH BLESSED
CHALK RECIEVED ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. THE THREE LETTERS ARE
THE INITALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN. DOING THIS WILL KEEP EVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DISPLAY THE LETTERS ABOVE HER BACK DOOR.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6 |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
OMEN OF DEATH
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL IN A HOUSE, IT MEANT
DEATH.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER OF IRISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
BEGINNING THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS UNTIL THE FEAST OF THREE KINGS,
CHILDREN IN POLAND WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE CAROLING. THE OLDER
"KOLEDNIKI" WOULD DRESS AS ANGELS, DEVILS, MULES, ETC., AND THEY
USUALLY RECEIVE DONATIONS OF MONEY. THE YOUNGER ONES WOULD
USUALLY RECEIVE EITHER A SCOOP OF WHEAT, RYE OR OATS WHICH THEY WOULD
TAKE TO THE STORE AND REDEEM FOR MONEY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S CHILDREN IN THEIR YOUTH DID PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM
IN THIS COUNTRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUMMING
Date learned: 02-07-1971
THE VIPER STORY
A COUPLE HAD JUST GOTTEN MARRIED AND THEY LOOKED FOR AN APARTMENT
TO LIVE IN. THEY FOUND ONE ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF AN APARTMENT
BUILDING AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY MOVED IN. THE FIRST NIGHT THEY
WERE THERE THEY WERE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD A
STRANGE SOUND FROM THE FIRST FLOOR. THERE WAS THIS VOICE CALLING
VERY MOURNFULLY, I'M THE VIPER. THEY GOT A LITTLE WORRIED BUT DIDN'T
THINK MUCH OF IT TIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE VOICE WAS COMING CLOSER.
THEY HEARD IT ON THE SECOND FLOOR SAYING, I'M THE VIPER. SOON THEY
HEARD IT EVEN CLOSER, ON THE THIRD FLOOR SAYING, I'M THE VIPER. BY
NOW THEY WERE PRETTY SCARED AND THE HUSBAND VENTURED OUT INTO THE
HALL WHERE HE COULD HEAR FOOTSTEPS COMING UP THE STAIRS FROM BELOW
AND HE STAYED THERE TIL HE HEARD I'M THE VIPER COMING FROM THE
FOURTH FLOOR. THEN HE RAN BACK INTO THE ROOM. BY THIS TIME THE
FOOTSTEPS WERE AUDIBLE EVEN INSIDE THE APARTMENT AND THEY LISTENED
WHILE IT CLIMBED TO THE FIFTH FLOOR, AND IT SAID I'M THE VIPER.
THEN IT SLOWLY CLIMBED THE STAIRS TO THE SIXTH FLOOR AND SAID I'M
THE VIPER. NOW IT WAS GETTING VERY CLOSE AND THEY HEARD EACH STEP
AS IT CLIMBED TO THEIR FLOOR. THEY COULD HEAR IT STOP OUTSIDE THEIR
DOOR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN AND A LITTLE MAN
CAME IN AND SAID, I'M THE VINDOW VIPER, VANT YOUR VINDOWS VIPED?
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD VERY OMINOUSLY WITH THE I'M THE VIPERS BEING
A LITTLE LOUDER AND MORE HAUNTING EACH TIME. IT ALSO HELPS TO THROW
IN THE SOUND OF STAIRS BEING CLIMBED AT APPROPRIATE TIMES.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; WESTCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN WIPER ; VIPER=SNAKE ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001960S
COUGH
TO STOP A COUGH AT NIGHT PLACE A PIECE OF FLANNEL CLOTH ON YOUR BED
POST AFTER SOAKING IT IN TURPENTINE.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): INHALATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-04-1970