Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ALABAMA returned 452 results.
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF YOUR STOMACH STICKS OUT IN FRONT, IT'S A BOY. IF IT STICKS OUT
ON THE SIDES, IT'S A GIRL.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM ; MONTGOMERY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
WEATHER SIGN
IF SMOKE RISES FAST IN THIN CURLS THERE WILL BE SNOW.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 05-05-1972
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"IF YOU GIVE SOMEONE A GIFT OF A PURSE OR A WALLET, YOU SHOULD
PUT A COIN IN IT TO BRING THE PERSON GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"WHEN YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH SOMEONE
AND YOU COME TO A TREE OR A POST, ONE PERSON'S SUPPOSED TO
WALK AROUND ONE SIDE OF IT AND SAY 'BREAD AND BUTTER', WHILE THE
OTHER PERSON WALKS AROUND THE OTHER SIDE AND SAYS 'SALT AND PEPPER'.
IF YOU DON'T DO THIS, YOU'LL HAVE A FIGHT BEFORE THE DAY IS OUT."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA WEDDING CUSTOM
"TO HER WEDDING, A BRIDE SHOULD WEAR SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW,
SOMETHING BORROWED, AND SOMETHING BLUE TO INSURE A LONG, HAPPY,
AND PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A YOUNG MAN IN DETROIT,
CIRCA 1930, FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA, CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA WEDDING CUSTOM
"A BRIDE SHOULD HAVE A COIN IN HER SHOE ON HER WEDDING DAY,
TO BRING HER A PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Penny in shoe |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU SHOULD THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER
TO BRING GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND IF YOU CAUGHT A BIRD, IT WOULD BRING YOU GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"A CARDINAL SINGING IN THE YARD IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK TO HAVE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY
CHRISTMAS EVE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
"IT BROUGHT THE FAMILY GOOD LUCK TO SERVE PLUM PUDDING WITH
CHRISTMAS DINNER".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
"THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE SHOULD NEVER DO THE WASH
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING ILLNESS TO
A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
WHEN YOU WASH YOUR HAIR UNDER A FULL MOON,
IT WILL FALL OUT.
Submitter comment:
SHE BELIEVED IT AT THE TIME IT WAS TOLD TO
HER, BUT SHE NO LONGER BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1985
WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT
JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1941 ; 00-00-1985
IT IS THE BEAUTIFUL BIRD THAT GETS CAGED.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1952 ; 00-00-1985
OH LORD, I WANT TO BE FREE,
WANT TO BE FREE;
RAINBOW ROUND MY SHOULDER,
WINGS ON MY FEET.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A POEM THAT WAS USED IN THE SOUTH.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 00-00-1985
YOU WILL GET A HEADACHE IF YOU THROW YOUR HAIR AWAY AND A
BIRD GETS IT AND MAKES A NEST WITH IT.
Submitter comment:
TOLD MY COUSIN THIS AS SHE THREW HAIR FROM HER BRUSH OUT
THE WINDOW.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
Always say a prayer in a new car before you drive it. Also
hang a cross from the rear view mirror. This will assure you of
the longest and the most careful, safe ride.
Submitter comment:
My father told this to me when he bought my first car and I
have done it to every car that I have owned since.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Just as there are the different books to the bible, so are
there 3 different books to Satan's bible. Folklore has it that
the witch or warlock that can find all 3 of them will be able to
spell the forgotten name of God. And in so doing, the witch or
warlock will acquire all of the powers from God.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Magic Book SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
BAD LUCK WILL LAST TWO YEARS.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 07-26-1968