Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BIRMINGHAM returned 584 results.
THAT'S THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES. MM
THAT'S THE WAY THE GINGER SNAPS. MM
THAT'S THE WAY THE BALL BOUNCES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-10-1965
FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON HOME ON NEW YEAR'S DAY PRESENTS A GIFT
TO THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE SO THEY WILL
HAVE GOOD BOUNTY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CUSTOM IN HIS NATIVE
SCOTLAND AS A CHILD, ABOUT 1899. HE WAS BORN NEAR
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. THE CUSTOM (AT LEAST THE
SAYING OF IT) IS STILL KNOWN IN HIS FAMILY IN THE
UNITED STATES. MR. MALLINSON LIVES IN GARY,
INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 12-25-1963
IF YOU FALL ASLEEP WHILE SAYING THE ROSARY, YOUR
GUARDIAN ANGEL WILL FINISH IT FOR YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 10-23-1967
EYES REVEAL THEIR OWNER'S THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.
Submitter comment: FROM PAST FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
IT IF RAINS BEFORE SEVEN IT WILL CLEAR BEFORE
ELEVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
IF YOU PULL A LOOSE THREAD, YOU'LL GET A LETTER.
Submitter comment: FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Observation |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
IF YOUR PALM ITCHES, OR YOUR FINGERS ITCH, IT MEANS YOU
ARE GOING TO COME INTO SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHO LEARNED THIS
BELIEF FROM HER IRISH GRANDMOTHER ABOUT TWENTY YEARS
AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
WAIT AFTER DINNER
AFTER FINISHING ANY MEAL OTHER THAN A SNACK, THE DINER
SHOULD WAIT SEVEN MINUTES AT THE TABLE BEFORE HE OR SHE
DEPARTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
IT IS A CUSTOM IN MY FAMILY FOR THE GRANDMOTHER OF A CHILD
TO GIVE THAT CHILD ONE HUNDRED PENNIES AT THE TIME OF HIS
BAPTISM. THE PENNIES WILL GUARANTEE THAT THE CHILD WILL
HAVE STRENGTH FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS TO WARD OFF THE EVIL
TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 03-28-1968
STEP ON A CRACK AND YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK,
STEP ON A LINE AND YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SPINE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS SAID WHEN TWO PEOPLE WERE WALKING ALONG TRYING
TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE LINES AND CRACKS OF THE
SIDEWALK. IT SOON TURNED INTO A GAME TO SEE WHO STEPPED
ON THE MOST LINES AND CRACKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
ALL THE WAY WITH YAWEH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
RUB-A-DUB-DUB
THANKS FOR THE GRUB
YEA, GOD!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
SEE A PIN AND PICK IT UP,
ALL THAT DAY YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
SEE A PIN AND LET IT LAY,
BAD LUCK YOU'LL HAVE ALL THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 10-06-1965
IF YOU SPIT IN THE AIR, IT WILL LAND ON YOUR NOSE.
Submitter comment: ORIGINAL SOURCE OLD, BUT UNKNOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-01-1965
RIDDLE
WHY DID LURCH GIVE THING A COKE? ANSWER: THINGS GO BETTER
WITH COKE.
Data entry tech comment: LURCH AND THING ARE CHARACTERS FROM THE TELEVISION SHOW
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-24-1965
RIDDLE
WHAT DID THE BEATLES SAY WHEN THEY FELL OFF A CLIFF?
ANSWER: I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND.
Data entry tech comment: THE BEATLES WERE A ROCK MUSIC GROUP AND "I WANT TO HOLD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-25-1965
BRAZILIAN HOLIDAY
"CARNIVAL DAY" IN BRAZIL IS LIKE OUR HALLOWEEN.
KIDS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATE BY PAINTING EACH OTHER'S
FACES DURING THE DAY AND PLAYING TRICKS OR PRANKS.
AT NIGHT THERE ARE PARTIES TO ATTEND. THIS HOLIDAY
TAKES PLACE EVERY THIRD SATURDAY IN THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
MAY BASKET DAY
MAY 1ST IS CELEBRATED BY DECORATING LITTLE BOXES
AND TAKING THEM OVER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, YOU MUST
RING THEIR DOORBELL AND RUN HOPING THAT THEY DON'T
CATCH YOU BEFORE YOU MAKE IT TO YOUR CAR, BECAUSE IF
THEY DO THEN THEY GET TO KISS OR PINCH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
UKRAINIAN BELIEF
WHEN A BIRD HITS THE WINDOW, SOMETHING BAD IS
GOING TO HAPPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
BIRTH; DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
I REMEMBER ONE THING THAT WAS REALLY PRETTY SILLY, THAT ALL THE
GIRLS DID WHEN THEY WERE PREGNANT TO SUPPOSEDLY TELL IF THE
BABY WAS TO BE A BOY OR A GIRL. WE'D THREAD A NEEDLE AND LET
IT SWING ON ITS OWN INTO MAKING A CIRCLE OR AN OVAL SHAPE IN
THE SWINGS. SUPPOSEDLY SOME SPIRIT OR THE CHILD ITSELF WAS
DIRECTING THE SWING OF THE NEEDLE, AND IF THE NEEDLE MADE A
CIRCLE, THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A GIRL AND AN OVAL WAS
AN INDICATION OF A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |