Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAM AND COOKED CABBAGE ARE TRADITIONAL FOR A NEW YEAR'S
MEAL.
Submitter comment: ORIGINATES FROM WEST VIRGINIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST VIRGINIA ; STERLING
| 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: NOT GIVEN
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY.
COME AGAIN SOME OTHER DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; STERLING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.646 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TOM SWIFTY
'BOY, I WISH I HADN'T TAKEN THOSE PEP PILLS,' SAID TOM ENERGETICALLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CUSTOM FOR BRIDE AND GROOM TO OBEY.
BRIDE AND GROOM ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SEE EACH OTHER FROM SIX O'CLOCK
THE EVENING BEFORE THE WEDDING UP UNTIL THE CEREMONY. WIVES TALE-- TO
HAVE A LONG AND PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Separation before wedding |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
EVERY YEAR ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR, WE GIVE PRESENTS
TO EACH MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. THIS IS DONE BECAUSE IN GREECE, IT
IS SAINT BASIL'S DAY. SAINT BASIL IS THE GREEK SAINT OF
CHILDREN. HE BRINGS PRESENTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GOOD THE
PREVIOUS YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1972
EVERY APRIL 24TH, WE CELEBRATE SAINT GEORGE'S DAY IN GREECE.
SAINT GEORGE IS ONE OF THE PATRON SAINTS OF GREECE. ON THIS
DAY, WE CELEBRATE HIS DESTROYING THE DRAGON. SAINT GEORGE
WAS ORIGINALLY AN ARCHANGEL, THIS IS ONE OF GOD'S CHIEF ANGELS.
THE DRAGON REPRESENTS THE EVILNESS OF SATAN; SO TO COMMEMORATE
THIS EVENT, THE OLDEST MALE CHILD OF EACH TOWN OR VILLAGE
IS DRESSED IN LIGHT CHAIN MAIL, AND ARMED WITH A FAKE SWORD.
AN ADULT FROM THE VILLAGE, NORMALLY THE MAYOR, IS DRESSED AS
THE DRAGON. THEY RE-ENACT THE FIGHT THAT OCCURRED, WITH SAINT
GEORGE WINNING. THIS PERFORMANCE IS FOLLOWED BY A HUGE
FEAST, WHICH THE WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE PREPARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Religious DRAMA -- Secular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 24 |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
GINGER WATER IS GIVEN TO CHILDREN ON HOT DAYS. IT DOES NOT GIVE
THEM CRAMPS IF THEY RUN AND PLAY. YOU NEED A PITCHER OF ICE COLD
WATER; THIS IS YOUR BASE. INTO THE WATER YOU ADD THREE TABLESPOONS
OF SUGAR, ONE FOURTH OF A CUP OF BROWN SUGAR, TWO TABLESPOONS OF
CRUSHED GINGER, TWO SQUEEZES OF LEMON JUICE, AND SIX MEDIUM ICE
CUBES. STIR THIS SLOWLY, CHILL AND SERVE. IT SEEMS TO SWEETLY
WARM UP A CHILD'S STOMACH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- N412 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
COUGH
IF YOU HAVE A COUGH PUT SOME SALT ON THE END OF YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
That's all right
That's o.k.
You're gonna work
For us someday!
Submitter comment:
This cheer was learned by my sister, Jennifer, who
attended Northwestern University. The cheer was
used by Northwestern football fans when their opponents
were winning the game.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Evanston ; Northwestern University
Keyword(s): Chant, humor, derision
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 00001982CA
BEST WORK
THE BEST WORK IS WHAT YOU LIKE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN A LETTER TO ME NOT LONG AGO BY MY GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: HOME ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTENTMENT ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
GIANT STEPS (OR MOTHER, MAY I?)
THE LEADER POSITIONS HIMSELF APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM
THE CONTESTANTS ALONG A SIDEWALK, ADDRESSING HIMSELF
ALTERNATELY TO THEM. HE SAYS, "YOU MAY TAKE THREE BABY
STEPS," FOR EXAMPLE. BUT THE KID MUST ANSWER, "MOTHER
MAY I?" AND RECEIVE IN TURN A "YES, YOU MAY!" FROM THE
"MOTHER." A "NO, YOU MAY NOT," AND NO ADVANCEMENT.
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF STEPS ALLOWED IS LEFT TO "MOTHER'S"
DISCRETION. THERE ARE BABY STEPS--SHORT HEEL TO TOE
STEPS; GIANT STEPS, LARGEST STRIDES POSSIBLE; UMBRELLA
STEPS--STEPPING WHILE SPINNING ABOUT; BANANA STEPS--
STEPPING WHILE SLIDING THE FEET ON THE SIDEWALK.
FIRST TO (REACH) MOTHER WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SOUTHWEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
BEST DAY
THE BEST DAY IS TODAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVES IN LIVING EACH DAY TO ITS FULLEST. HE HAS
TOLD ME THIS PROVERB MANY TIMES.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): CARPE DIEM ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
THERE WAS A BELIEF IN OLDER FARMING COMMUNITIES WHICH
STILL LINGERS THAT THE PERSON WHO FINDS A RED EAR OF
CORN WILL SOON BE MARRIED. GIRLS SEARCHED FOR THEM.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS BELIEF EXPRESSED AMONG FARMING
FAMILIES ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WHOLE FAMILY IS HELPING
TO HUSK CORN, IT ADDS AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage |
IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR THE WOMEN OF THE FAMILY
TO GET TOGETHER AT THE COUPLE'S HOME ON THE
THURSDAY BEFORE THE WEDDING AND MAKE THE BED OF THE
BRIDE AND GROOM AND SOMETIMES PUT MONEY UNDER THE
MATTRESS FOR GOOD LUCK FOR THE COUPLE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Before wedding |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
THERE IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM, THAT IF A MEMBER OF
A FAMILY DIES, THEN THE MEMBERS OF THE IMMEDIATE
FAMILY WEAR BLACK AS A SIGN OF MOURNING FOR 3 TO
6 MONTHS.
Submitter comment: I WAS TOLD THIS BY MY PARENTS ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THERE IS A BELIEF THAT THE BUTTERCUP FLOWER, WHEN HELD
TO A PERSON'S CHIN, INDICATES WHETHER THAT PERSON
IS IN LOVE OR LIKES BUTTER. IF YELLOW STAINS THE
CHIN, THAT PERSON IS IN LOVE OR VARIOUSLY LIKES
BUTTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS SHOWN TO ME YEARS AGO ON MY GRAND-
FATHER'S FARM. BUTTERCUPS GROW IN THE MEADOW.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Butter BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
THE CREEK PEOPLE ALSO SAY THAT YOU SHOULD ENTER
THE HOUSE THROUGH THE SAME DOOR YOU LEFT THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: SUPERSTITION
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 02-08-1971
PINCH OF THE DEAD
WHEN YOU FIND A BLACK AND BLUE MARK ON YOUR BODY
THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM
IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE WHO IS CLOSE TO YOU,
AND THAT HAS DIED, AND THAT NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS HAS COME BACK
AND WANTS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS NEED.
THEREFORE HE PINCHES YOU AND LEAVES A BLACK AND BLUE MARK
AS A SYMBOL OR SIGN OF HIS NEED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Date learned: 03-31-1970
GERMAN TRADITION, GOOD LUCK FOR NEW YEAR
SAUERKRAUT AND ROAST PORK ON NEW YEARS'. THE PIG
BEING A SMART ANIMAL, ALWAYS POINTS HIS NOSE IN
THE "RIGHT" DIRECTION, WHICH IS A SIGN OF GOOD
LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: WHITEHEAD AND KALES ; MILL STREET PLANT
| 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: 02-21-1967
SAUNA BATH
THE FINNISH HAD THE ORIGINAL SAUNA BATH AND STILL HAVE
THEM TODAY IN A LITTLE TOWN IN THE UPPER PENINSULA,
MASS, MICHIGAN. EACH FAMILY HAS THEIR OWN. THEY LOOK
LIKE A LARGE OUTHOUSE. THE WHOLE FAMILY TOOK THEIR
BATH TOGETHER, THE LITTLE ONES SAT ON THE LOWER
BENCHES IN FRONT AND THE PARENTS ON THE ELEVATED
BENCHES IN BACK. THE LITTLE ONES WERE TAUGHT NEVER
TO LOOK BACK AT THEIR PARENTS.
THE SAUNA IS A STEAM TYPE BATH TAKEN IN THE WINTER.
THE PROCEDURE IS AS FOLLOWS: FIRST YOU USE SWITCHES TO
WHIP UP THE CIRCULATION, THEN YOU MAKE STEAM BY
SPRINKLING WATER ON THE LARGE, FLAT HEATED ROCKS
WHICH MAKE UP THE OVEN. FINALLY, AFTER STEAMING
ALL THE DIRT OUT OF THE PORES, YOU GO OUT AND ROLL
IN THE SNOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS RECEIVED FROM A FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT'S
WHO ACTUALLY DID THIS WITH HER FAMILY WHEN SHE WAS
YOUNG.
Where learned: WHITEHEAD AND KALES ; MILL STREET PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 02-23-1967