Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for PENNSYLVANIA returned 515 results.
WEATHER PREDICTION RAIN
WHEN THE COWS ARE LYING DOWN IN THE FIELD IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment:
HIS BELIEF WAS HANDED DOWN FROM HIS FATHER AND HE FIRMLY BELIEVES
IT TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Date learned: 00-00-1958
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE FAST ON THE HOLIDAY YOM KIPPUR.
Submitter comment:
YOM KIPPUR OR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT IS THE HOLIEST DAY OF THE YEAR.
GOD DECIDES ON THIS DAY WHO SHALL LIVE AND WHO SHALL DIE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FASTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
TELEPHONE ANSWER
JOE'S BAKERY. WHICH CRUMB DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO?
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE LEAVE A GLASS OF WATER OUTSIDE WHEN GOING TO A
FUNERAL. THEY WASH THEIR HANDS WITH IT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THE
CEMETARY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; PURIFICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
LEGEND
THERE IS A MAN BURIED IN THE NICHOLSON BRIDGE IN NICHOLSON, /A.
Submitter comment:
THE MAN WAS BURIED DURING AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE BRIDGE WAS BEING
BUILT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ALL JEWISH PEOPLE MUST EAT SOME HONEY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW
YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE INSURES A SWEET YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): ROSH HASHANAH
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
CUSTOM CANDLE
EVERY YEAR AT CAMP AKIBA IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA EACH
BUNK WRITES ALL THEIR NAMES ON A PLAQUE. A CANDLE IS PUT ON THE
PLAQUE AND FLOATED DOWN THE LAKE. IF IT REACHES THE OTHER SIDE
GIRLS IN THAT BUNK WILL RETURN.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE ON THE LAST NIGHT OF CAMP
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
GAME RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT
ONE PERS.ON IS IT. HE HAS HIS BACK TURNED TO THE REST OF THE PLAYERS
HE SAYS GREEN LIGHT. AND EVERYONE RUNS. HE THEN ABRUPTLY SAY RED LIGH
SAYS RED LIGHT.
EVERYONE MUST STOP, ANYONE WHO MOVES GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING. TO
WIN THE PLAYER MUST GET ALL THE WAY UP TO IT FIRST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE HEAD OF A JEWISH HOUSEHOLD HIDES A PIECE OF MATZOH
THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF PASSOVER.
Submitter comment: WHOEVER FINDS THE MATZOH RECEIVES A GIFT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE LIGHT CANDLES ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
Submitter comment: THIS WELCOMES THE SABBATH
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE LIGHT A YAHRZEIT CANDLE ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF A
PERSON'S DEATH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE UNVEIL A TOMBSTONE ON THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
OF A PERSON'S DEATH.
Submitter comment: THE TOMBSTONE HAS BEEN VEILED BEFORE THIS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
SITTING SHIVA
WHEN AN IMMEDIATE MEMBER OF A JEWISH FAMILY DIES THE RELATIVES SIT
ON SMALL STOOLS FOR ONE WEEK.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SITTING SHIVA AND DURING THIS TIME FRIENDS COME TO THE
HOME AND PAY THEIR CONDOLENCES.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
DURING THE SUCCOT HOLIDAY THE JEWISH PEOPLE EAT THEIR MEALS IN A HUT
OR SUCCOT.
Submitter comment: THIS HOLIDAY COMES RIGHT AFTER NEW YEAR'S.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): SUCCOT ; SUKKOT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
EVERY JEWISH HOUSE HAS A MAZUZAH ON ITS DOORPOST FOR EACH MEMBER
TO KISS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE HOUSE
Submitter comment: THIS IS SHOWING RESPECT FOR GOD. THE MAZUZAH IS A FORM OF MEDAL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
PREDICTION DIVINATION
WHEN THE APPLE BLOSSOMS ARE ON THE TREES,
THE BULLHEADS WILL BE BITING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
AFTER GRADUATION AT WEST POINT, THE NEW LIEUTENANTS RETURN TO
THEIR ROOMS AND THROW THEIR CADET UNIFORMS OUT THE WINDOWS TO THE
CHILDREN WHO HAVE GATHERED FOR THE CEREMONY. THE GRADUATES HAVE
NO FURTHER USE FOR THE CLOTHES THEY WORE WHILE THEY WERE CADETS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAW THIS HAPPEN AFTER THE GRADUATION OF JUNE 1961.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): GRADUATION MILITARY CADETS ; MILITARY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 03-01-1972
Language: Rhyme
DAN, DAN A DIRTY OLD MAN
WASHED HIS FACE IN THE FRYING PAN
HE COMBED HIS HAIR WITH THE LEG OF A CHAIR
DAN, DAN THE DIRTY OLD MAN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS IT HAS A TUNE BUT SHE CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD 02-22-2011
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): Dan ; Dirty ; Man ; NAME ; Old ; Pan ; RHYME ; RIDICULE ; Tucker
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
CONJURATION
IF A BABY HAS BEEN FRIGHTENED BY SOMEONE OR
SOMETHING AND IT CRIES OUT DURING IT'S SLEEP,
YOU TAKE TWO STRAWS FROM A BROOM AND FORM THEM INTO
A CROSS. THEN YOU TAKE AND MELT WAX FROM A BLESSED CANDLE,
NEXT YOU MAKE SURE THE BABY IS COVERED, HOLD A PAN
OR CONTAINER OVER THE BABY'S HEAD WITH THE
CROSS OVER IT AND THEN POUR THE HOT WAX OVER THE CROSS.
A FIGURE OF WHATEVER FRIGHTENED THE BABY WILL FORM
ON THE CROSS FROM THE WAX. AFTER THIS IS DONE THE BABY
WILL NO LONGER BE FRIGHTENED. THE ABOVE IS REFERRED
TO AS OKADZICH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
AT THE BAR, AT THE BAR,
WHERE I SMASHED MY FIRST CIGAR
AND THE DIMES AND THE NICKELS ROLLED AROUND
IT WAS THERE BY CHANCE
THAT I TORE MY SUNDAY PANTS
AND NOW I HAVE TO WEAR THEM EVERYDAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FATHER USED TO SING THIS SONG ALL THE TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): JOKE ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |