Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ST returned 2014 results.
Latvia
After a trip to Latvia, the informant had learned many things
about his father's country. Old ways were still a very important part
of the culture, including traditional farming techniques, the
maintenance of old family homes, male dominant roles in the family
and society, and somewhat traditional dress. In public, the men
always wore long pants, and the women wore practical dresses. The
houses were made of stone and wood, and often did not have screens in
the windows. The people were very friendly, and were willing to give
up their meager food supply for the comfort and benefit of their
American relatives.
Submitter comment:
When the Skabardis family visited Latvia for a second time, they
brought their relatives many of the things that they were lacking:
screens for their windows, food, clothing, and money.
Where learned: Latvia ; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Architecture BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 07-00-1988
HAT AS A BAD LUCK OMEN
I ALWAYS HEARD NEVER TO PUT A HAT ON A BED--IT IS A SIGN
OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: DIDN'T LEARN FROM PARENTS; SHE COULDN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE HEARD IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
BIRDS
MOM NEVER LIKED A BIRD TO FLUTTER AT THE WINDOW. IT
MEANT DEATH TO THE FAMILY AND I DON'T LIKE IT YET.
A SPARROW FLUTTERED IN THE LIVING ROOM WINDOW SO
I WENT OUT TO THE KITCHED AND HE CAME TO THAT WINDOW,
TOO. MY GRANDMOTHER DIED SHORTLY AFTER THAT - SHE WAS
NINETH-FOUR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER WHO IS OF IRISH DESENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
BIRDS
WHEN YOU SEE A FLOCK OF BIRDS FLY OVER, YOU SHAKE YOUR
SKIRT AND THAT MEANS YOU'LL GET A NEW ARTICLE OF CLOTHING.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
DOG'S HOWL
IF YOU HEAR A DOG HOWL DURING THE DAY FOR A LONG TIME-
KIND OF MOURNFUL, YOU KNOW - IT MEANT YOU WERE GOING TO
HEAR OF A DEATH.
Submitter comment:
BOTH LEARNED THIS IN THEIR HOME TOWNS OF HOLLISTER AND
GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
NOSE BLEEDS CURES
PUT A COLD KNIFE ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECK
TO STOP A NOSE BLEED OR A WET WASH CLOTH.
WE USED TO DO IT BACK HOME.
Submitter comment: DONE IN HOME IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
FEVER BLISTERS
WHEN YOU FEEL A FEVER BLISTER COMING,
RUB BEHIND YOUR EAR (EITHER ONE) THREE TIMES AND IT WILL NEVER
COME TO A HEAD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POWER OF NUMBERS ; PREVENTITIVE TREATMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
BIRTH OMEN
IF YOU WERE BORN WITH A VEIL OVER YOUR FACE, YOU
WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT OFF AND SAVE IT. IT WAS
A LAYER OF SKIN LIKE A CASING - LIKE THE SKIN FROM
BOLOGNA. I WAS BORN WITH ONE BUT THEY BURNED MINE.
BUT MOM TOLD ME THAT IF THEY HAD KEPT IT, I WOULD BE PSYCHIC.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
POULTICES
A CARBUNCLE IS ABOUT TEN DEGREES WORSE
THAN A BOIL.
WHEN I HAD ONE, THE DOCTOR CAME DOWN
AND TOLD ME TO PUT A BREAD AND BUTTER POULTICE ON IT.
IT WASN'T READY TO LANCE YET --
IT HAD TO BE DRAWN TO A HEAD.
NEXT TIME, HE LANCED IT.
Submitter comment: HAPPENED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
BLUE BELLS COCKER SHELLS/ EEVY IVY OVER/ I WENT DOWN TOWN TO SEE MISS
BROWN/ SHE GAVE ME A NICKLE TO BUY A PICKLE.
THE PICKLE WAS SOUR/ SHE GAVE ME A FLOWER/ THE FLOWER WAS DEAD/ SHE
GAVE ME SOME THREAD/ THE THREAD WAS THIN/ SHE GAVE ME A PIN/ THE PIN
WAS SHARP/ SHE GAVE ME A HARP/ THE HARP BEGAN TO SING: A MINNIE AND A
MINNIE AND A HA HA HA.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; ALPENA ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
DEATH OMENS
IF YOU DREAM OF MUDDY WATER, YOU WILL HEAR OF A DEATH.
IF YOU SEE A FALLING STAR, YOU WILL HEAR OF A DEATH.
(BUT YOU CAN ALSO WISH ON A FALLING STAR, TOO.)
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
IF YOU EAT BUTTER BEFORE YOU DRINK, IT WILL COAT YOUR
STOMACH AND YOU WON'T GET DRUNK. JUST BITE RIGHT INTO A
STICK OF BUTTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; EAST SIDE
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
ROSES I BRING.
ROSES I BRING THAT IN MY
GARDEN GREW }
MAY EVERY DAY BLOOM LIKE
A ROSE FOR YOU }
Where learned: DETROIT ; POSTCARD COLLECTION
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP. ; RHYME: ABCB
James Callow Keyword(s): WISH.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 07-13-1916
ROSES I BRING.
ROSES I BRING THAT IN MY
GARDEN GREW }
MAY EVERY DAY BLOOM LIKE
A ROSE FOR YOU }
Where learned: DETROIT ; POSTCARD COLLECTION
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP. ; RHYME: ABCB
James Callow Keyword(s): WISH.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
PROVERB
A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER.
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1953
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT.
Where learned: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
CURE
TO KEEP AWAY THE FLU
WEAR A BAG OF ASAFOETIDA ABOUT THE NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-29-1970
RUSSIAN PROVERB
FRIENDSHIPS ARE MANY, BUT FRIENDS ARE FEW.
Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CONTRAST ; WORDPLAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- V233 |
PROVERB GIRLS WITH CURVES ARE USUALLY SURROUNDED BY MEN
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
RUSSIAN PROVERB
GIVE HIM THE ENTIRE EARTH, AND HE WILL ASK FOR PAPER IN WHICH TO
WRAP IT.
Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA
Keyword(s): GREDDY PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- V270 |
Date learned: 00001898-1905