Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT IS AN ITALIAN-AMERICAN CUSTOM AT WEDDINGS FOR
THE NEW BRIDE TO DANCE WITH ALL OF THE MEN AT THE
CELEBRATION. THE MEN, IN RETURN FOR THE PRIVILEGE,
PUT MONEY INTO THE APRON THE BRIDE WEARS FOR THE CUSTOM.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE CUSTOM AT A WEDDING
CELEBRATION IN SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: 10-04-1967
AT POLISH WEDDINGS THEY HAVE A SPECIAL DANCE.
THE YOUNGEST SISTER OF THE BRIDE STANDS IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR WITH AN APRON ON. ANYONE
AT THE WEDDING CAN GO UP AND PUT SOME MONEY IN THE
APRON AND DANCE WITH THE BRIDE.
Submitter comment: I SAW THIS DONE AT A FEW WEDDINGS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN A SLOVAKIAN GIRL BECOMES MARRIED, AT THE WEDDING
RECEPTION THEY PERFORM A "BRIDAL DANCE." A CEREMONY IS
PERFORMED BEFORE THE DANCE WHEREBY THE BRIDE'S MOTHER
REMOVES HER WEDDING VEIL AND TIES A WHITE RIBBON ON
HER HEAD. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS IS THAT THE BRIDE'S
MOTHER IS GIVING UP HER DAUGHTER TO HER NEW HUSBAND.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Circle singing |
Date learned: 04-01-1972
UPON THE COMPLETION OF A STEEL STRUCTURE, AN AMERICAN FLAG
IS PLACED ON THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE STRUCTURE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE TO SHOW EVERYONE THAT THE STEEL WORKERS'
WORK IS DONE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EAT A FRESH HAM ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| 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 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT A FRESH HAM ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
BECAUSE THE PIG PUSHES THE DIRT AHEAD OF HIM. (SOMETHING
AHEAD).
Submitter comment:
THEREFORE, SAYS THE COLLECTOR, HARMONIZING WITH THE
DAY, WHICH PUSHES AHEAD INTO THE YEAR JUST AS THE PIG
PUSHES AHEAD INTO THE EARTH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| 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: 04-06-1972
IRISH PEOPLE WOULD NOT LET ANYONE IN THE HOUSE ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY UNLESS THE FIRST ONE IN HAD DARK HAIR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
A MAN WITH BLACK HAIR SHOULD BE THE FIRST ONE IN THE
HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER BELIEVED FIRMLY IN THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
PUT CLEAN SHEETS ON THE BEDS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR A
CLEAN YEAR THROUGH.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
A DARK-HAIRED MAN MUST BE THE FIRST TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
ON GOOD FRIDAY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12 NOON AND 3 P.M.
YOU SHOULD KEEP SILENT AND DO NOT USE THE RADIO, T.V.,
RECORD PLAYER, ETC.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
SWIENCONKA
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU TAKE THE FOOD TO CHURCH TO BE
BLESSED. YOU CAN'T EAT THIS FOOD UNTIL EASTER
SUNDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
SLOVAK
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU TAKE HARD BOILED EGGS TO THE
CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. ON SUNDAY MORNING YOU SHARE
THE EGGS AND WISH EACH OTHER A HAPPY EASTER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
DUCK ON THE ROCKS
A GAME PLAYED IN MY CHILDHOOD. EVERYONE STARTS OUT WITH
HIS OWN CAN. ONE OF THE PLAYERS USUALLY TAKES IT UPON
HIMSELF TO BE IT. THE ONE THAT IS IT PLACES HIS CAN
ON A FAIRLY LARGE ROCK. A LINE IS DRAWN ABOUT THIRTY
FEET FROM THE ROCK. THE PLAYERS LINE UP AND TRY TO
KNOCK THE CAN OFF THE ROCK WITH THEIR CANS. IF ONE
PERSON KNOCKS THE CAN OFF THE ROCK, HE PICKS UP HIS
CAN AND RUNS FOR THE LINE. THE ONE WHO IS IT HAS
TO PUT HIS CAN BACK ON THE ROCK AND TOUCH THE OTHER
PLAYER BEFORE HE REACHES THE LINE. THE OTHER PLAYER
IS NOW IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE FIRST PERSON TO SEE THE STREET LIGHTS COME ON AT
NIGHT WOULD COUNT OUT LOUD FROM ONE TO TEN AND YELL
"FIRST TO SEE THE STREETLIGHTS COME ON." THIS WAS
THE EXTENT OF THE GAME AND YOU WOULD CONTINUE ON
WITH WHAT YOU WERE DOING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
LUCK STRIKE GAME
UPON SEEING AN EMPTY LUCKY STRIKE CIGARETTE PACK,
YOU TRY TO STEP ON IT WITH YOUR FOOT WITHOUT ANYBODY
ELSE SEEING YOU. THEN YOU ARE ALLOWED TO PUNCH THE
FIRST PERSON WHO COMES NEAR ENOUGH, SAYING, "LUCKY
STRIKE!" YOU MUST SAY "WIPED IT OFF!" OR THAT PERSON
CAN PUNCH YOU BACK USING THE SAME PACK. YOU USUALLY
PUNCHED THE PERSON IN THE ARM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00001950S
CADDY
HAVE A STICK TAPERED ON BOTH ENDS. YOU HIT IT ON
A SIDE AND WHEN IT FLIES UP INTO THE AIR, YOU TRY TO
HIT IT IN MID-AIR.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT PLAYED THIS GAME IN HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING OUT CLOTHES
MY MOTHER GAVE YOUR MOTHER A PUNCH IN THE NOSE
WHAT COLOR DID IT TURN--
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A JUMP ROPE RHYME AND AFTER THE PLAYER SAYS, "WHAT COLOR
DID IT TURN, HE OR SHE THEN NAMES AS MANY COLORS AS SHE CAN
UNTIL SHE MISSES OR RUNS OUT OF COLORS, THEN IT IS SOMEONE-ELSE'S
TURN.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 04-06-1972
IF IT'S A GREEN CHRISTMAS, THE GRAVEYARDS WILL BE FULL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Beliefs BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
IF YOU FALL UP A CHURCH'S STEPS, YOU WON'T BE
MARRIED WITHIN THAT YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 04-00-1972