Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, A SLOVAK FAMOLY WOULD RUN TO
THE WELL. THERE THEY WOULD WASH THEIR HANDS AND FACE WITH WELL
WATER. THEY WOULD RUN BACK TO THE HOUSE AND THEN WIPE AWAY THE
WATER. THIS WAS DONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): WASHING HANDS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
WEATHER PROVERB
POLISH: JAK NA BOZE NARODZENIE PO WODZIE, TO NA WIELKANOC PO LODZIE.
TRANSLATION: IF AT CHRISTMAS YOU'RE GOING OVER WATER, THEN ON EASTER
IT WILL BE OVER ICE.
(IF IT'S A WARM WINTER, PLAN ON A COLD SPRING.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions |
LOSS OF A SWEETHEART
IF YOU ARE RIDING OVER TRACKS (WHETHER THEY ARE TRAIN TRACKS
OR STREETCAR TRACKS) RAISE YOUR FEET OFF THE GROUND. IF
YOU DON'T, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR PRESENT SWEETHEART.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-01-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA AT CHRISTMAS-TIME A FAMILY BRINGS STRAW INTO THE
HOUSE, BEFORE PUTTING IT DOWN, THEY PRAY TOGETHER AND WISH FOR A GOOD
YEAR. THE STRAW STAYS ON THE FLOOR FOR A WHOLE DAY AND NIGHT. THE
FAMILY SLEEPS ON IT INSTEAD OF SLEEPING IN THEIR BEDS. ON THE DAY
AFTER CHRISTMAS, THE STRAW IS BRAIDED AND PUT AROUND A TREE THAT IS
OUTSIDE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
WE ALWAYS HAD SAUERKRAUT AND PORK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: PRACTICE AT HOME IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO
Where learned: OHIO ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF CRETE
WHO WAS EXCEEDINGLY NEAT.
WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF BED
SHE STOOD ON HER HEAD
TO MAKE SURE OF NOT SOILING HER FEET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
HOLIDAY-FOOD CUSTOM
AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME IS THAT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE AFTER THE MEAL IS OVER, BREAD FROM THE MEAL IS LEFT ON THE
TABLE AND IS BELIEVED TO NEVER GO GREENMOLD FOR YEARS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS SEEN BY INFORMANT IN 1946.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Mold
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
FLICKING THE NAIL OF YOUR THUMB OUT FROM UNDER YOUR
FRONT TEETH AT A PERSON IS TELLING THEM TO GO TO HELL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS ITALIAN AND GOT THE GESTURE FROM HIS
PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; RESTAURANT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
PROVERB
HE WHO POSSESSES A CONTENTED MIND POSSESSES ALL THINGS.
Where learned: HOME ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CONTENTMENT ; OVERSTATEMENT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
WEDDING OMEN
IF IT RAINS ON A GIRL'S WEDDING DAY, THIS MEANS SHE WILL SHED
MANY TEARS DURING HER MARRIED LIFE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-19-1970
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
CHRISTMAS IS A BELOVED HOLIDAY FOR THE POLISH PEOPLE. BEGINNING AT
SUNDOWN, THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO THE EVENING MEAL. THIS MEAL IS
MEATLESS AND CONSISTS OF NINE COURSES. WHEN THE FIRST EVENING STAR
APPEARS THE MEAL BEGINS. STRAW IS PLACED UNDERNEATH A WHITE
TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY CHRIST'S BIRTH IN A MANGER. A CHRISTMAS WAFER
CALLED "OPLATEK" IS SHARED WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINNING
WITH THE FATHER. GOOD HEALTH, GOD'S BLESSINGS AND JOY IS EXTENDED
TO ALL. THIS COMPLETED, THE MEAL BEGINS. THE SOUP IS CREAMED
MUSHROOM. FOLLOWING WE HAVE PIEROGI (DUMPLINGS) WITH CABBAGE OR
POTATO AND CHEESE. WE ALSO HAVE A VARIETY OF FISH. COLD HERRING,
FISH IN GELATIN (GALARECIE), BAKED FISH, RYE BREAD AND SAUR KRAUT
PREPARED WITH MUSHROOMS. COFFEE AND BABKA FOR DESERT. AFTER THE
PEOPLE RETURN FROM MIDNIGHT MASS THEY BRING OUT THE BAKED HAM AND
HOMEMADE KIELBASA WHICH EVERY GOOD POLAK MAKES HIMSELF AND THEY EAT,
DRINK AND MAKE MERRY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; 25940 MADISON CT, S. ; St. Clair Shores
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-01-1971
YOU ALWAYS BURY SOMEONE YOU DON'T LIKE UPSIDE DOWN, I.E.,
FACE DOWN, SO THAT IF HE DUG, HE WILL GO DEEPER AND
WOULDN'T COME BACK HERE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN HOME TOWN OF HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
Christmas Day in Poland
Christmas Day in Poland finds the tables laden with food. Their favorite kielbasa, ham, beef can be seen. Also, the best in Polish wines, their favorite baked goods are shared with family and friends, Neighbors visit one another and sing kolendy outside their doors, a custom everyone thoroughly enjoys--so the day goes--a happy time for all.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; St. Clair Shores
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 |
OMEN FOR DEATH
IF A RED BIRD FLIES INTO A HOME THERE WILL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: HOME ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
WEAKNESS
THE THREE MICROBES OF WEAKNESS: REGRET, WORRY AND FEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER FIRMLY BELIEVES IN NOT REGRETTING WHAT
IS ALREADY PAST.
Where learned: HOME ; MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
THIS DAY WE FASHION DESTINY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ONE OF MY GRANDFATHER'S FAVORITE PROVERBS, AND
REFLECTS HIS BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.
Where learned: HOME ; MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
ZIPPED-UP
IT WAS A FORMAL TYPE DINNER AND ONE OF THE GUYS GOT UP
TO GO TO THE JOHN. AFTER HE RETURNED TO THE TABLE,
HE DISCOVERED THAT HE HADN'T ZIPPED UP HIS FLY. HE
LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND VERY NONCHALANTLY ZIPPED
IT UP. EVERYTHING WAS OK UNTIL HE GOT UP TO LEAVE.
WHEN HE GOT UP AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY, THE TABLE
CLOTH WENT WITH HIM AND THE WHOLE TABLE WAS UPSET
ON THE FLOOR. HE HAD ZIPPED THE TABLE CLOTH INTO
HIS FLY.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TELLS THIS ONE AS ACTUALLY HAVING HAPPENED.
HIS FRIEND WAS THERE AT THE DINNER. IT HAPPENED IN
THE SUMMER OF 1959.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
PRACTICAL JOKE
BECAUSE THE DOORS AT AMHERST COLLEGE OPEN INWARD, ANOTHER
DESTRUCTIVE PRANK IS TO LEAN A BUCKET OF WATER AGAINST THE
OUTSIDE OF A CLOSED DOOR. OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE
CAUSES THE WATER TO SPILL INTO THE ROOM. THIS HAS BEEN DONE
WITH A FULL FIFTY-FIVE GALLON DRUM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
FORMULA SPEECH
IF YOU HAVE AN EASY POOL SHOT, YOU SAY, "THAT'S A LEAD
PIPE."
Data entry tech comment: SEE: LEAD PIPE CINCH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-21-1969
COMMON LAW
ONE RULE EVERY FISHERMAN HAS, IS TO ADD TEN POUNDS TO THE
FISH HE CATCHES, KNOWING THAT WHEN HIS FRIEND TELLS
THE FISHING STORY, HE WILL SUBTRACT FIVE TO TEN POUNDS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law |
Date learned: 10-22-1970