Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for HOME returned 1952 results.
BAD LUCK, SUPERSTITION
BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN THREES (3'S) ESPECIALLY DEATHS
IF ONE MEMBER IN FAMILY DIES, TWO MORE WILL DIE SOON.
Submitter comment:
MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER OF INFORMANT REALLY BELIEVED
THIS AND IF SOMEONE DIED SHE WOULD BEGIN TO
WAIT FOR TWO MORE DEATHS NO MATTER HOW
MUCH TIME LAPSED BETWEEN DEATHS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
A WAFER IS BROKEN AND EATEN BY THE ENTIRE
FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS TO SYMBOLIZE SHARING IN
THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-18-1967
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
THE FOUR LEAF CLOVER IS THE TRADITIONAL GOOD LUCK CHARM.
WEARING ONE ON ST. PAT'S DAY BRINGS DOUBLE LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; RELATIVES HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 17 BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.11 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.4 |
Date learned: CA1960-1975
CAROLLING ON THREE KINGS DAY AT WINDOWS OR PORCHES AND RECIEVING
MONEY OR REFRESHMENTS IN RETURN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 10-06-1967
NEVER EAT CHICKEN, OR ANY KIND OF FOWL, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY;
BECAUSE CHICKEN SCRATCH BACKWARDS, AND YOU WANT TO GO
FORWARD IN THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| 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: 02-18-1970
ROMANIAN CUSTOM
IF YOU MEET WITH FUNERAL CORTEGE, IF YOU MUST CROSS
TO THE OTHER SIDE, YOU HAVE TO HURRY TO PASS BEFORE
IT, NEVER GO THROUGH THE PROCESSION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
A STORY INVOLVING A MIRACLE
ONCE THERE WAS A WEALTHY MAN AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE SO WELL
OFF THAT THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL ABOUT CRUMBS AND BREAD. BUT AFTER
EATING, THE WIFE WOULD GO AROUND AND GATHER UP ALL THE CRUMBS AND
FEED THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, BUT SHE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE
HUSBAND DIDN'T LIKE IT.
ONCE HE CAUGHT HER WITH HER HANDS FULL OF CRUMBS AND ASKED TO SEE
WHAT WAS IN HER HANDS. SHE HID HER FISTS BEHIND HER BACK. (THE
INFORMANT MADE THAT SAME GESTURE.) BUT HE STILL ASKED TO SEE WHAT
SHE HAD. WHEN HE MADE HER OPEN HER HANDS THERE WAS NOTHING IN
THEM BUT A CRUCIFIX. THE BREAD HAD TURNED INTO CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
AS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER WHO TOLD IT AS TRUE.
TOLD AS WE WERE EATING DINNER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
ARTHRITIS
IN ORDER TO GET RID OF ARTHRITIS, WEAR A CHARM BRACELET.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM A FRIEND OF HERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
Truckpatch
Most Afro-Americans in the south during the 1930's had great
self pride. However, they had to eat. For this particular
family there were 16 people under one two-room roof shack. Okra
was always left in the ice box; it was a substitute for meat.
Neighbors would come by to bring different items grown from their
truckpatch, but would always say that they had too much and
didn't want it to go to waste. Foods such as sweet potatoes,
pinto beans and rice were brought. Everything was usually cooked
together in one pot and would last for up to three weeks. The
pinto beans were saved mostly because they were good for at least
three more swellings.
Keyword(s): Truckpatch = Small garden
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable |
RIDDLE QUESTION: CLOCK
"WHAT IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13?"
ANSWER: "TIME TO BUY A NEW CLOCK."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS JUST HAVING FUN BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE IS
NO CLOCK THAT WILL INFORM YOU THAT IT IS 13 O'CLOCK.
INFORMANT LEARNED IT AT WORK.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): RIDDLE JOKE: CLOCKS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
AN INNOCENT MAIDEN FROM BUTTE
THOUGHT A BIG CITY SLICKER WAS CUTE.
NOW SHE'S IN, YOU MIGHT GUSS,
A MATFRNITY DRESS AND HE'S IH A PATERNITY SUIT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY OWNS A BAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
SHE REMEMBERED FROM A CUSTOMER.
INFORMANT'S DAMILY OWNS A BAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
SHE REMEMBERED FROM A CUSTOMER.
Keyword(s): LIMERICK ; RHYME: AABBA ; SEDUCTION ; TRIPLE RHYMES ; WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
FOR MEASLES, GET RED SASSAFRAS AND BOIL IT.
IN THREE DAYS YOU WILL BE CURED.
FOR MUMPS, GET MARROW FROM THE JAWBONE (THEY WERE SAVED)
AND RUB YOUR FACE IN IT. IN THREE DAYS YOU WILL BE CURED.
IF YOU STUB A TOE OR HURT A FINGER, CUT A HOLE IN A PINE TREE
AND PUT THE TURPENTINE ON THE INJURY.
Submitter comment:
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAD SO LITTLE MONEY THEY FOUND CURES THEMSELVES
WHEN THEY BECAME ILL. DOCTORS WERE HARD TO GET , THEY CHARGED
BY THE MILE WHEN THEY CAME, FOR 10 MILES HE CHARGED $10.
THE PEOPLE FOUND HERBS FOR THE DIFFERENT AILMENTS.
THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
WORMS
TAKE TINY LEAVES OF PEPPERMINT, WASH THEM, THEN MASH THEM UP WITH A
LIITLE VINEGAR. THEN ADD TWO CLOVES GARLIC, MASH, STIR AND COVER.
THEN SET ON A WINDOW LEDGE IN THE MOONLIGHT OVERNIGHT.
IT FERMENTS AND EVERYTHING
SETTLES TO THE BOTTOM. TAKE A TEASPOONFUL OF TOP MIXTURE ON AN EMPTY
STOMACH 3 TIMES DURING THE DAY, ONCE BEFORE EACH MEAL, AND IT WILL
CURE THE WORMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): MOON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
SUPERSTITION
IF A CERTAIN GIRL IS CONSISTENTLY THE LAST ONE TO FINISH
EATING AT THE TABLE, THEN SHE WILL BE AS OLD MAID.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
PREDICITION OF ARTHRITIS
WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG, IF YOU PUT YOUR FINGERS TOGETHER
AND THERE ARE SPACES BETWEEN YOUR FINGERS, YOU'LL GET
ARTHRITIS.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER GIRLFRIEND AT DOMINCAN HIGH SCHOOL.
HER GIRLFRIEND LEARNED IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: COLLECTED AT HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
WE WET OUR FINGER TO SEE WHICH WAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING.
Submitter comment: COMMON PRACTICE AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
BUBBLE GUM, BUBBLE GUM IN A DISH,/
HOW MANY BUBBLE GUMS DO YOU WISH? 1, 2,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
EVIL OMEN
THE VIET CONG WILL NOT ATTACK WHEN THE MOON IS FULL.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
MARRIAGE
IF YOU'RE SINGLE AND YOU WHISTLE AT THE SUPPER TABLE,
YOU'LL MARRY A CRAZY MAN OR WOMAN.
Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
CHRISTMAS GAME
THE GAME IS CALLED "I'M THINKING OF A BULB." IN ORDER TO PLAY, ONE
PERSON HAS TO BE CHOSEN TO GO FIRST. THIS LEADER THEN SAYS "I'M
THINKING OF A BULB" AND DESCRIBES A CERTAIN BULB FOUND ON THE
CHRISTMAS TREE. IN TURN ALL THE PLAYERS START TO GUESS WHICH BULB IT
IS. THE PERSON WHO GUESSES THE BULB THEN BECOMES THE LEADER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |