Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PLANTING SUPERSTITION
DO NOT PLANT ANYTHING IN THE SIGN OF THE POSEY, OR ALL THAT YOU WILL
GET ARE BLOSSOMS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A GERMAN BELIEF. DID NOT EXPLAIN THE SIGN OF THE POSEY.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
PLANTING CUSTOM
CUCUMBERS WERE PLANTED ON THE LONGEST DAY, JUNE 21, TO INSURE GOOD,
LONG PICKLES.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A GERMAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 21 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
CUSTOM FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT ISIDORE (APRIL 22)
THE FARMERS BROUGHT THEIR SEEDS AND SOILS INTO THE CHURCH AND THEY
WERE BLESSED WITH A SPECIAL RITUAL FOR A GOOD CROP.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SPANISH CUSTOM THAT HAS SPREAD TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND IS
PRACTICED TO SOME DEGREE IN MAGADORE, OHIO.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 22 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
GOOD FRIDAY (CATHOLIC)
WE KEPT A COMPLETELY MEATLESS DAY. WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO EAT ANY
PRODUCT THAT WAS DERIVED FROM AN ANIMAL OR FOWL. THIS ELIMINATED THE
USE OF EGGS, MILK AND LARD. WE ATE COOKED WHEAT FOR BREAKFAST. THE
REST OF THE DAY WAS REGULATED BY LENTEN OBSERVANCES; 1/4 OF YOUR
REGULAR LUNCH AND A FULL MEAL AT EVENING. THESE CONSISTED OF BOILED
POTATOES, NO BUTTER, AND IN THOSE DAYS THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS
MARGARINE OR EGG OR MILK SUSTITUTES, TOMATOES, FRUIT, AND BOILED
SOUP BEANS. WE WERE ALSO NOT ALLOWED TO TALK FROM 12 NOON UNTIL
3 P.M..
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS FAMILY PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM IN MAGADORE, OHIO; AND SHE
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Food Drink -- Animal product BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
NAMING A CHILD
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY TO GIVE THE NEW-BORN
CHILD HIS GOD-PARENTS FIRST NAME FOR HIS MIDDLE NAME.
Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS STILL CARRIED OUT IN OUR FAMILY.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
FRATERNITY SONG "HAIL FRATERNITY"
HAIL FRATERNITY,
WE'LL EVER SING OUR PRAISE TO THEE,
WE LOVE THY COLORS TRUE,
WE LOVE THY BROTHERS TOO,
YOU'RE THE EMBLEM OF SINCERITY.
HAIL FRATERNITY,
WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR FAME,
MAY THERE NEVER BE A STAIN,
AGAINST THY DEAR OLD NAME,
SIGMA PHI EPSILON! HEY!
Submitter comment:
SIMILAR TO THE OTHER SONGS, LOVE AND LOYALTY TO THE
BROTHERHOOD IS EXEMPLIFIED HERE. THE SONG IS SUNG WITH
A FAST MELODY, USUALLY SUNG AT NATIONAL MEETINGS. IT
IS RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE NATION AS ONE OF THE
MOST PRIZED SONGS IN SIGMA PHI EPSILON.
I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG AT BOWLING GREEN STATE
UNIVERSITY, IN FEBRUARY, 1978, AT THE SIGMA
PHI EPSILON NATIONAL MEETING.
Where learned: OHIO ; BOWLING GREEN
BEER, BEER FOR OL' BRYAN HIGH
YOU BRING THE COCKTAIL, I'LL BRING THE RYE.
SEND OL' ROGGE OUT FOR THE GIN
DON'T LET A SOBER TEACHER IN.
WE NEVER STAGGER,
WE NEVER FALL,
WE SOBER UP ON WOOD ALCOHOL
WHILE OUR LOYAL FACULTY
LIES DRUNK IN THE STUDY HALL.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
BAD LUCK
SPILLING SALT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
BAD LUCK
BREAKING A MIRROR IS SEVEN YEARS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
GOOD LUCK
KNOCK ON WOOD FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THE SUN SHINES ON.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Superstition about good weather PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
BLISTERS ON THE TONGUE CAN BE CAUSED BY TELLING LIES.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
WARTS ARE CAUSED BY HANDLING TOADS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
A RINGING IN THE EARS MEANS SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SICK.
A RINGING IN THE EARS MEANS SOMEONE HAS DIED.
IF THE SECOND TOE OF A WOMAN IS LONGER THAN HER LARGE TOE,
SHE WILL HENPECK HER HUSBAND.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
DISEASE CURES
A DIRTY SOCK WORN "ROUND THE NECK" ON GOING TO BED WILL CURE A
SORE THROAT.
A BUCKEYE CARRIED IN THE POCKET WILL CURE RHEUMATISM.
ASSAFETIDA WORN AROUND THE NECK IN THE WINTER WILL
KEEP DISEASE AWAY.
BLOOD STOPPING WAS USED BY PEOPLE WHO CLAIMED THEY COULD
STOP THE FLOW OF BLOOD. IT ORIGINATED IN THE LUMBERJACK CAMPS,
WHEN SERIOUS INJURIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE LUMBERJACKS AND PERHAPS
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO A DOCTOR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curer BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
NEVER USE A TREE FOR FIRE WOOD THAT'S BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
WATER CAN BE FOUND BY "WITCHING" WITH A GREEN BRANCH FROM
CERTAIN TREES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
Keyword(s): ; Aphorisms ; dowsing ; Tips ; TREES ; WATER ; Witch ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Water |
AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PINNING ENGAGEMENT IN THE DELTA
TAU DELTA FRATERNITY, THE FRATERNITY MEN WOULD SERENADE THE
GIRL. AFTER THE SERENADE THE ENGAGED COUPLE WOULD B PICKED
UP AND CARRIED BACK TO THE DELTA'S HOUSE WHERE IN (ON) THE
FRONT LAWN AWAITED A BATHTUB FILLED WITH WATER. THE COUPLE
WOULD BE DROPPED INTO THE WATER.
Where learned: OHIO ; COLUMBUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-16-1973
DURING FINALS WEEK, ALL THE CURTAINS ARE PULLED IN THE HOUSE.
Where learned: OHIO ; COLUMBUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-16-1973
"INCHY PINCHY"
This practical joke begins when one person convinces
another (usually a younger/naive) person that they are
going to be initiated into a special group. The "initiate"
is taken into a darkened room, with perhaps only a candle
for a light, and seated on the floor. Others come into the
room (quietly and reverentially) and seat themselves in
a circle, in which the "initiate" is included. (Everyone
but the person who is the target of the joke is a co-conspirator.)
After everyone is seated in a circle, the
leader (seated next to the victim) announces that the
ceremony is about to begin. He instructs the "initiate"
to copy his motions exactly, doing to his neighbor what
is done to him. The leader, then, reaches out and grabs
the victim's cheek and gently pulls on it, saying
solemnly, "Inchy Pinchy." This should be intoned slowly--
"In...chy Pin...chy." The victim pulls the cheek of
the person next to him and does likewise, and the motion is
passed around the circle. Again the leader reaches out
and grabs another part of the victim's face, perhaps the
forehead or nose, and says "Inchy Pinchy." Again the
motion is passed around the circle. This continues as
many times as the leader wants. When the "ritual" is
over, the victim is instructed to look in the mirror to
verify how the ceremony has transformed him. When he
does so, he realizes that each time the leader touched
his face, that he had been smeared with lipstick (or any
other substance that can be concealed in the hand). At the
moment of realization everyone shouts "INCHY PINCHY!"
Submitter comment:
This was a joke I learned at a slumber party when I was
in seventh grade. My older brother and I successfully
played it on my younger brother, Greg, who reminded me
of it when I asked for any possible folklore items,
especially children's songs/games. A copy of a story he
wrote about this experience has been submitted as
supplementary material.
Where learned: OHIO ; COLUMBUS
Keyword(s): Humor, trick, mock rite-of-passage
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001965CA
PARODY RHYME
CHINKA, CHINKA, CHINAMEN SITT IN ON A FENCE
CHINA MAKES A DOLLAR ON A FIFTY-FIVE CENTS.
SHE MISS, SHE MISS, SHE MISS LIKE THIS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS USED WHEN DETERMINING WHO GOES FIRST IN A GAME.
Where learned: OHIO ; COLUMBUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |