Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEVER HAVE A TOOTH PULLED WHEN THE MOON IS IN THE SIGN
OF THE HEAD OR BAD WILL COME OF IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER, WHO FOLLOWS THE
MOON'S CYCLE FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS. THE SIGNS OF THE
ZODIAC EACH CORRESPOND TO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE BODY,
THE HEAD BEING THE SIGN OF CAPRICORN, THE RAM.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; SPLASHDAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
Entry filtered.
NOT GIVEN
WHEN A PERSON IN VIRGINIA IS REAL POOR, WE SAY HE'S SO
POOR THAT HE DON'T HAVE A POT TO PEE IN OR A WINDOW TO
THROW IT OUT OF.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; GALLATIN ; ROUTE 3
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF ONE EXPERIENCES REPEATED ITCHINESS OF THE PALMS,
IT IS A SURE SIGN THAT UNEXPECTED MONEY WILL BE RECEIVED.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; SPLASHDAM
Keyword(s): ITCH
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001930ca
IF ONE IS CUTTING THE HAIR OF A CURLY-HAIRED CHILD AND
WANTS TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILD'S HAIR WILL REMAIN CURLY,
THE HAIRCUT SHOULD TAKE PLACE WHEN THERE IS A FULL MOON.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; SPLASHDAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 00001930ca
LEGEND OF STUD SERVICE AT UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
SINCE IT WAS BELIEVED IN THE SOUTH THAT THE BEST SLAVES
WERE HALF WHITE AND HALF BLACK, THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE
PROFIT IN SELLING THIS KIND OF SLAVE. IT IS SAID EVEN
TODAY THAT THERE IS ON RECORD THE NAMES OF MEN WHO GAVE
OUT THEIR SERVICES AS STUDS TO SEED BLACK WOMEN AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
THE LEGEND OF MCCULLOCH'S LEAP
A BAND OF INDIANS WERE CHASING A FRONTIERSMAN NAMED MCCULLOCH WHO
WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE WITH HIS LIFE. DURNG THE CHASE HE FOUND HIM-
SELF ON THE RIDGE OF A STEEP HILL WHICH WAS ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED
FEET HIGH, AND THERE WAS NO PATH OF ESCAPE OPEN TO HIM. AS THE
INDIANS CLOSED IN, HE AND HIS HORSE JUMPED FROM THE RIDGE, AND
BOTH LANDED SAFELY AT THE BOTTOM AND ESCAPED. THE INDIANS WERE
SO ASTONISHED THAT THEY LEFT HIM ALONE FROM THEN ON. TODAY A
BRONZE STATUE OF AN INDIAN STANDS POINTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
HILL WHERE MCCULLOCH JUMPED, AND THIS HILL IS KNOWN AS MCCULLOCH'S
LEAP.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS LEGEND FROM HER FATHER IN WHEELING, WEST
VIRGINIA, WHERE THE STATUE OF THE INDIAN IS LOCATED. SHE AND HER
FAMILY LIVE JUST ACROSS THE RIVER FROM WHEELING IN MARTIN'S FERRY,
OHIO. SHE SAID THAT THE STORY WAS TOLD TO HER WHEN SHE WAS "VERY
YOUNG."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA ; INSTITUTE OF ARTS ; WHEELING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1963
THE LEGEND OF MCCULLOCH'S LEAP
A BAND OF INDIANS WERE CHASING A FRONTIERSMAN NAMED MCCULLOCH WHO
WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE WITH HIS LIFE. DURNG THE CHASE HE FOUND HIM-
SELF ON THE RIDGE OF A STEEP HILL WHICH WAS ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED
FEET HIGH, AND THERE WAS NO PATH OF ESCAPE OPEN TO HIM. AS THE
INDIANS CLOSED IN, HE AND HIS HORSE JUMPED FROM THE RIDGE, AND
BOTH LANDED SAFELY AT THE BOTTOM AND ESCAPED. THE INDIANS WERE
SO ASTONISHED THAT THEY LEFT HIM ALONE FROM THEN ON. TODAY A
BRONZE STATUE OF AN INDIAN STANDS POINTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
HILL WHERE MCCULLOCH JUMPED, AND THIS HILL IS KNOWN AS MCCULLOCH'S
LEAP.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS LEGEND FROM HER FATHER IN WHEELING, WEST
VIRGINIA, WHERE THE STATUE OF THE INDIAN IS LOCATED. SHE AND HER
FAMILY LIVE JUST ACROSS THE RIVER FROM WHEELING IN MARTIN'S FERRY,
OHIO. SHE SAID THAT THE STORY WAS TOLD TO HER WHEN SHE WAS "VERY
YOUNG."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA ; INSTITUTE OF ARTS ; WHEELING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1963
WHEN YOU ARE SITTING ALL ALONE
REFLECTING ON THE PAST
REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A FRIEND
WHOSE FRIENDSHIP LONG WILL LAST
AND IF AFAR FROM HOME TO ROVE
SHOULD BE THY DREAR DECREE
THINK ON THE FRIENDS WHOM THOU DIDST LOVE
AND THEN REMEMBER ME.
(SIGNED) MARY WALLEN, WHEELING, W. VA.
ABSENT BUT NOT FORGOTTON
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; WEST VIRGINIA ; WHEELING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00001880S
HAM AND COOKED CABBAGE ARE TRADITIONAL FOR A NEW YEAR'S
MEAL.
Submitter comment: ORIGINATES FROM WEST VIRGINIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST VIRGINIA ; STERLING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Room Location
The master bedroom should be located in the northeastern corner of the house to maintain harmony and fortune in the family.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; Roanoke
Keyword(s): Bedroom ; Feng Shui ; fortune ; Harmony ; House ; LOCATION ; Master
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic |
OFFICIAL REQUEST
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
YOU MUST GO OUT BEFORE DAWN AND CUT A PIECE FROM A FRESH-CUT STUMP.
RUB THE DEW FROM IT ON THE WART TO GET RID OF IT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM A LADY IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST VIRGINIA ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS BAD LUCK TO PASS THE SALT AND PEPPER SEPARATELY. ALWAYS
KEEP THEM TOGETHER WHEN YOU PASS THEM.
Submitter comment: SUSAN IS VERY SUPERSTITIOUS.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; R-MWC ; LYNCHBURG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 00001967-1968
IF YOU GIVE A BRIDE-TO-BE A KNIFE, SHE HAS TO GIVE YOU A PENNY
SO IT WON'T CUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment: SOMEONE HAD JUST GIVEN SUSAN A KNIFE AT A SHOWER WE HAD FOR
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; R-MWC ; LYNCHBURG
Date learned: 00001967-1968
IF YOU EAT OFF TWO PLATES, YOU WILL BE AN OLD MAID.
Submitter comment: AT R-M, IF NOT ALL THE PLACES ARE FILLED AT THE TABLE, WHOEVER
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; R-MWC ; LYNCHBURG
Date learned: 00001967-1968
IN THE INFORMANT'S WEST VIRGINIA HOME, CABBAGE WAS ALWAYS
FIXED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND A QUARTER COOKED IN WITH THE
GREENS. WHOEVER WAS SERVED THE SERVING OF CABBAGE THAT
CONTAINED THE QUARTER WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGH HE
YEAR.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THOUGH SHE HATED CABBAGE, SHE
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 06-20-1972
LIFE
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME BECAUSE THIS IS THE BASIC ELEMENT OF
LIFE, AS YOU KNOW LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, IF YOU
WASTE ALL YOUR TIME, THINK...WHAT YOU HAVE GAINED IN LIFE.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SAYING CONCERNING THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
SPEED PLUS ACCURACY
QUESTION: WHAT CAN KILL YOU FASTER THAN A TRAVELING
BULLET?
ANSWER: YOUR HEART.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS ITEM IS A QUESTIONING RIDDLE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU STUMPLE ON YOUR FOOT, OR IT MAY ITCH, THAT'S A
SIGN FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
James Callow Keyword(s): STUMBLE?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1935