Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TOLD AT returned 523 results.
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM JAPAN
WHOSE POETRY NEVER WOULD SCAN.
THEY TOLD HIM THE THING
DOESN'T GO WITH A SWING.
THAT'S BECAUSE I TRY TO GET ALL THE WORDS IN THE LAST LINE THAT
I POSSIBLY CAN.
Submitter comment: (MRS. CASE HEARD THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL)
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ALEXANDRINE ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
NEW YEARS DAY BELIEF
IF THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER A HOUSE
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IS A WOMAN, THAT HOUSEHOLD
WILL HAVE BAD LUCK AND SICKNESS THROUGHOUT THE
NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment: I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ENGLISH CUSTOM.
Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
BELIEF IN THE PATRON SAINTS
MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER,
CAROLINE SASSAK, ALWAYS PRAYED THAT SHE
WOULD DIE ON HER PATRON SAINTS FEAST DAY
AND SHE DID. MY AUNT, MARY DROTAR, ALSO SAID
SHE WOULD DIE ON HER PATRON SAINT'S DAY (OCTOBER 25)
AND SHE DID ALSO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-29-1970
CROUP
TO CURE THE CROUP, PUT GOOSE GREASE ON YOUR CHEST; THEN PUT
A PIECE OF RED FLANNEL OVER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-15-1970
BELIEF (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION; NAILS (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WHEN CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING, IF YOU HAMMER
A NAIL AND IT COMES BACK BENT, YOU MUST REMOVE THE NAIL AND THROW IT
OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK. IF YOU USE THE BENT
NAIL, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAS SEEN THIS PRACTICE DONE, BUT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT,S TRUE
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
MIDNIGHT X-MAS BABY MEANS SHORT LIFE
A PERSON BORN ON DECEMBER 25TH DIRECTLY AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
WILL NOT LIVE LONG.
Submitter comment:
LINDA'S GRANDFATHER WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 25TH AND DIED YOUNG IN
LIFE. WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS BORN ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT LINDA
DOESN'T KNOW.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
MOSLEM PEOPLE PREFER TO KILL THE
POULTRY FOR THEIR MEALS THEMSELVES AND PRAY OVER
IT AS THEY KILL IT.
THIS IS CALLED " HALAL ".
Where learned: TOLD AT CAPITAL POULTRY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
FORMULA SPEECH
IN REFERRING TO A POWERFUL BLOW: A HAYMAKER
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Common Word |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
NAME
WHAT YOU CALL A FAT PERSON - FATTYBUTCH
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
PALM SUNDAY TRADITION
ON PALM SUNDAY THE PEOPLE USED TO HAVE PROCESSIONS AROUND THE
CHURCH WITH PALMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday |
NUMBERS
FRIDAY THE 13TH IS A UNLUCKY DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 11-13-1970
SUPERSTITION EVIL EYE
MY MOTHER USED TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE CAME
AND CARRIED YOUR SLEEP AWAY,
ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS
A NEW BABY .
IF A STRANGER STARES AT THE BABY THEY
TAKE THE SLEEP AWAY.
TO UNDO THIS YOU TAKE A HOT COAL
FROM THE FIRE AND DROP IT IN A TALL GLASS
OF WATER. IF IT DOES NOT SINK, THEN IT IS TRUE
THAT THE PERSON HAD WICKED EYES.
IF THE COAL GOES TO THE BOTTOM THE BABY WILL
GO TO SLEEP. SHE WOULD ALSO
TAKE A DRINK OF THE WATER AND SHE WOULD
MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS OVER THE WATER.
Submitter comment:
THE MOTHER OF MARY ABRAMS WAS BORN IN HUNGARY AND
RAISED IN EUROPE. SHE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND
LIVED ON A FARM IN SCANTON, PENN.
WITH HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-10-1970
BELIEF IN THE EVIL EYE
IF SOMEONE HAS VERY VIVIDLY DARK BROWN EYES,
THEY MUST ONLY STARE AT YOU TO PLACE A HEX.
THE BELIEF IS ONE OF POLISH AMERICANS,
AND THE POLISH WORD IS OCZAROWANIA.
Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
BELIEF
IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO AN OLD RELATIVE (DECEASED)
GO INTO A DARK CLOSET AND CLOSE THE DOOR.
WRITE DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER, IN THE DARK,
WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK,
AND YOU WILL BE ANSWERED BY THE DECEASED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER (WHO IS A) FULL-BLOODED CHIPPEWA INDIAN
SAID THIS WAS AN OLD BELIEF ON THE RESERVATION
SHE WAS BORN ON IN WISCONSON.
Where learned: TOLD AT A FRIENDS HOUSE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
NOT GIVEN
THERE WAS A MAN WHO WAS INSANE AND KILLED HIS WIFE AND AFTER HE
KILLED HER HE WAS FULL OF REMORSE. HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE WAS
THE MURDERER AND IT IS SAID THAT HE TAKES HIS LANTERN IN THE
EVENING, AND GOES TO LOOK FOR HER BODY. IF YOU DRIVE OVER THAT
BRIDGE ON THE FAR EAST SIDE AND STOP, YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE THE
LIGHT COME AND GO UNDER THE BRIDGE AND AS IT GOES UNDER THE
BRIDGE, IT SHAKES IT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MAN DOING IT.
Submitter comment:
JEAN AND I HAVE BOTH GONE TO THIS PLACE BUT DO NOT RECALL THE NAME
OF THE STREET AND ALL OF THE MYSTERIOUS THINGS DO HAPPEN BUT
THE EXPLANATION IS THAT IT IS THE SWAMP GAS AND WHEN IT SETTLES
UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE IS WHAT CAUSES IT TO TREMBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-06-1971
ONE CAN TELL IF YOU HAVE TRULY KILLED A WITCH IF A CROW CROWS.
IF YOU DID NOT HEAR THE CROW IT WAS A SIGN THAT THE WITCH HAD TAKEN
OVER A NEW BORN BABY'S SOUL.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 03-20-1970
CUSTOM
WHEN A BABY IS JUST BORN, CUT A SMALL PIECE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD
AND SAVE THIS, THIS WILL BRING THE BABY GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE A GREAT DEAL IN LEBANON.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TV STUDIO ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHARMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-24-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT WAS THE CUSTOM FOR MINERS IN THE UPPER PENNINSULA TO HAVE A
CHRISTMAS TREE AND A CHRISTMAS PARTY IN THE MINE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
BELIEF
SEVEN PEOPLE EATING TOGETHER
BRING GOOD LUCK - IF THIRTEEN
EATING TOGETHER, ONE WILL
DIE BEFORE THE YEAR IS UP.
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
SPRING CUSTOM __ PALM SUNDAY
THE UKRANIAN PEOPLE USED TO BLESS PUSSY WILLOWS INSTEAD OF PALMS
AFTER THE PUSSY WILLOWS WERE BLESSED AT CHURCH THEY WOULD BE TAKEN
HOME BY EACH FAMILY. IN THE HOME THEY WERE PLACED ABOVE A HOLY
PICTURE. AT THE END OF THE DAY ALL THE OLD PUSSY WILLOWS WERE
BURNED. THIS DAY WAS SOMETIMES CALLED WILLOW SUNDAY. WILLOWS
WERE USED BECAUSE PALMS WERE COSTLY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT KNEW OF THIS PRACTICE THROUGH A FRIEND AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF MICHIGAN. HIS NAME IS SMENA RAKOVSKEY.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM ; WILLOW
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday |
Date learned: 10-25-1971