Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN A PERSON IS WEARING A NECKLACE AND THE CLASP HAS
WORN AROUND UNTIL IT MEETS THE PENDANT, THE GIRL TAKES
BOTH IN HER TWO FINGERS, SHUTS HER EYES AND MAKES A
WISH. AFTERWARDS SHE LIFTS BOTH OF THEM TO HER LIPS
AND KISSES THEM, THEN SHE RETURNS THE CLASP TO THE
POSITION OF BEHIND HER NECK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 06-11-1971
WHEN TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD OR PHRASE AT THE SAME TIME,
THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CLASP LITTLE FINGERS OF EACH PERSON
TOGETHER AND MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Word Letter |
WHEN I WAS IN ABOUT THE SEVENTH GRADE WE USED TO HAVE THIS
LITTLE RITUAL THAT YOU HAD TO THROUGH IF YOU AND ANOTHER
PERSON SAID THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME. (IT WAS BAD LUCK
IF YOU DID THIS). BOTH PEOPLE HAD TO SAY "JINX, 1-2-3-4-5-6-
7-8-9-10 AND THEN DO THIS LITTLE WAVE TO EACH SIDE. THEN WE
WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK INSTEAD OF BAD.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 07-23-1968
TO STOP AN OWL FROM SCREECHING AT NIGHT, TIE A KNOT IN THE
FOUR CORNERS OF A SHEET.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IF A WHIPPOORWILL IS SCREECHING IN THE NIGHT, TURN A
SLIPPER OVER AND HE WILL STOP
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): BIRD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 07-00-1972
WEATHER
MY MOTHER USED TO THINK THAT IF YOU STEPPED ON AN ANT
OF AN ANTHILL THAT IT WOULD RAIN.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
A SINGLE GIRL TAKES A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE AND PUTS IT
UNDER HER PILLOW FOR THREE NIGHTS. ON THE THIRD NIGHT
SHE WILL DREAM OF THE MAN SHE WILL MARRY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 06-25-1972
TO DISCOVER WHO YOU WILL MARRY, ON THE FIRST NIGHT IN A
NEW HOUSE, NAME OR INITIAL THE FOUR CORNERS OF YOUR
BEDROOM. IN THE MORNING, THE CORNER YOU FIRST LOOK AT
WILL TELL YOU THE FUTURE MATE.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IN CHAPEL HILL, TENNESSEE, A MAN WAS ONCE DECAPITATED
BY THE RAILROAD. SINCE THEN, PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BY
THE TRACKS AT NIGHT HAVE REPORTED SEEING A LIGHT MOVING
ALONG THE TRACKS.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 04-29-1969
IF YOU GIVE A PURSE AS A GIFT, YOU SHOULD PUT A PENNY IN IT
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; PEABODY CAFE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 05-13-1969
GLASS SNAKE
I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TELL AND PROFESS BELIEF IN THE "GLASS SNAKE"
IN BOTH KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. I THINK A CHARACTERISTIC OF
PEOPLE OF BOTH STATES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AND MOUNTAINOUS
AREAS, IS THAT THEY TAKE DELIGHT IN "PULLING EACH OTHER'S LEGS."
I HAVE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TELL ME THINGS IN ALL SERIOUSNESS
AS HAPPENING TO THEM OR SOMEONE THAT THEY WILL NAME THAT NEVER
HAPPENED AT ALL. I DOUBT IF ANYONE REALLY BELIEVES THE "GLASS
SNAKE" TALE, YET MANY WILL PROFESS A BELIEF IN IT.
THERE IS A SNAKE THAT WHEN APPROACHED BY AN ENEMY WILL BREAK
ITSELF APART INTO TWO OR THREE PIECES AND SCATTER IN ALL
DIRECTIONS. WHEN THE DANGER IS PASSED, THE SNAKE WILL RE-JOIN
ITSELF AND GO ON ITS WAY.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE BEER LABEL TEST FOR GIRLS
HOLD A BOTTLE OF BEER IN ONE HAND AND WITH THE THUMB
OF THAT HAND START AT THE TOP OF THE LABEL, TEARING
DOWN. IF THE GIRL CAN TEAR IT ALL THE WAY TO THE
BOTTOM, SHE IS SUPPOSEDLY A VIRGIN.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
FOLLOW THE ARROWS
WE USED TO GET UP A BIG GANG OF TEN OR FIFTEEN KIDS
FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN NASHVILLE. THIS WAS WHEN
I WAS AROUND TEN YEARS OLD. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS
ABOUT THE SIZE OF TWO CITY BLOCKS, BUT WITHOUT
FENCES AND VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. THERE WERE LOTS OF
STOREHOUSES, GARAGES AND A CREEK RUNNING THROUGH
IT. LITTLE KIDS COULDN'T PLAY WITH US BECAUSE
THEY COULDN'T RUN FAST ENOUGH.
YOU LET ONE OR TWO KIDS HIDE THEIR EYES WHILE THE
OTHERS RUN IN A GROUP TOWARD SOME SPECIAL PLACE,
SAY, BEHIND A GARAGE. ONE PERSON IN THE GANG MAKES
CHALK ARROWS POINTING THE DIRECTION TO GO. THEN
THE SEARCHERS WOULD HUNT FOR THE ARROWS. THE GAME
WAS OVER WHEN THE SEARCHERS WOULD SPOT THE BIG
GANG.
WE WOULD USUALLY PLAY THIS ONLY ONCE A DAY BECAUSE
OF THE RUNNING TIRING US OUT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT PLAYED THIS GAME AROUND 1942 WHEN SHE
WAS A TEN YEAR OLD IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
PROVERB
WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 06-17-1970
PROVERB
WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY, THE MICE WILL PLAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 06-16-1970
PROVERB
LAUGH BEFORE SEVEN, CRY BEFORE ELEVEN.
Submitter comment:
WHENEVER WE STARTED ACTING SILLY AS SOON AS WE GOT UP
IN THE MORNING, MY MOTHER USED TO SAY:
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 04-08-1969
PROVEB
WHAT IS CHEAP, IS DEAR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 06-03-1970
PROVERB
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 06-16-1970
PROVERB
TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 06-16-1970
PROVERB
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): HUMILITY INTEGRITY AUTHENTICITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 06-16-1970