Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANN ARBOR returned 124 results.
TRICK QUESTION
RON, A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER IN DETROIT, WAS
VISITING MY BROTHER IN THE HOSPITAL. SHORTLY AFTER
HE ENTERED HE ASKED MY BROTHER TO SPELL STOP FIVE
TIMES IN RAPID SUCCESSION. WHEREUPON MY BROTHER
DID SPELL STOP FIVE TIMES IN SUCCESSION WITHOUT ANY
TROUBLE. I BELIEVE MY BROTHER THOUGHT THE QUESTION
TO BE A TONGUE TWISTER AND HE WAS OBVIOUSLY PROUD
OF HIMSELF AFTER COMPLETING THE TASK. WHEREUPON, RON
SUDDENLY ASKED HIM, "WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU COME TO
A 'GREEN' LIGHT?" OF COURSE, MY BROTHER, CAUGHT
COMPLETELY OFF GUARD REPLIED, "STOP." WHICH PROVOKED
A GREAT DEAL OF LAUGHTER ALL AROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
OZONI IS A BROTH CONTAINING RICE CAKES AND VEGE-
TABLES. WE EAT IT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT IS GOOD
LUCK TO DO SO (AT HOME).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): JAPAN?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE ROYAL OAK KIMBALL HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE TEAM
PLAYS JACKS BEFORE EVERY DEBATE TOURNAMENT TO
INSURE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THEY WERE SEARCHING FRANTICALLY FOR THE JACKS THEY
HAD LOST WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PRACTICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 881 Games / Pastimes / Sports |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
IF A CAR GOES UNDER A RAILROAD TUNNEL, AND A TRAIN
GOES OVER IT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK. YOU CAN ALSO ASK FOR ANY THREE WISHES AND BE
SURE THEY WILL BE GRANTED.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEXICO ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Good luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
IN MEXICO, IT IS GOOD LUCK TO FIND A FOUR LEAF CLOVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters BELIEF -- Good luck Plants |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
IN MEXICO, IF YOU BREAK A MIRROR YOU WILL HAVE SEVEN
YEARS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Bad luck Mirror |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
IN MEXICO, WALKING UNDER A STAIRWAY--OR EVEN STANDING
UNDER ONE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE WALL, IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
DON'T STEP ON A SPIDER, IT BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
JUST SEEING A BLACK CAT IS BAD LUCK, IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
EVEN NUMBERS ARE UNLUCKY TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JAPAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific) BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE STONE LIONS IN FRONT OF A CERTAIN BUILDING ARE SAID
TO HAVE ROARED ONLY ONCE, AND THAT IS WHEN A VIRGIN
WALKED BY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
EVERY TIME A VIRGIN WALKS BY THE LIONS, STATUES ON THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CAMPUS, THE LIONS ROAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
IF YOU STEP ON THE "M"--A CEMENT LETTER IN THE MAIN
SQUARE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CAMPUS--BEFORE
YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST BLUE BOOK EXAM, YOU WILL FAIL IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
IN FRON OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN ANN ARBOR, TWO
STONE LIONS STAND GUARD OVER THE ENTRANCE. WHENEVER
A VIRGIN SHOULD WALK PAST THIS ENTRANCE, IT IS THE
COMMON BELIEF THAT THESE LIONS SHOULD ARISE
AND ROAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THERE ARE TWO STONE STATUES OF LIONS ON EITHER SIDE
OF THE STEPS IN FRONT OF THE U. OF M. LIBRARY. IT
IS SAID THAT IF A GIRL IS A VIRGIN, WHEN SHE WALKS
UP THESE STEPS, THE LIONS WILL ROAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR ; STUDENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
Date learned: 09-19-1969
JAPANESE SUPERSTITION
RED IS A GOOD OMEN. IT KEEPS BAD LUCK AND EVIL
AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE INFORMANT SHARED A ROOM WITH MY BROTHER N A
HOSPITAL. MY BROTHER A RATHER POPULAR FIGURE IN
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS DREW MANY PEOPLE TO HIS ROOM
DURING MY FOUR-HOUR VISIT. THE INFORMANT HEARD STORIES
FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE HE, QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY,
VOLUNTEERED A CONTRIBUTION.
HE SAID THAT WHEN HE WAS A NEWLYWED, WHICH MUST HAVE
BEEN THIRTY YEARS EARLIER, THE COUPLES USED TO COMPARE
INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY PERTAINING TO SEX, CONTRACEPTIVES
AND CHILDREN. ONE METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION
WAS FOR THE WOMAN TO STUFF A VINEGAR-SOAKED RAG IN HER
VAGINA IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER INTERCOURSE.
HE WAS SO EMBARRASSED BY THIS REVELATION, WHICH MUST HAVE
TAKEN A GREAT DEAL OF COURAGE, THAT HE NEVER SPOKE AGAIN
UNTIL I WAS READY TO LEAVE. THE SEVERAL OCCUPANTS OF
THE ROOM, PRIMED BY SEVERAL SIX-PACKS SMUGGLED INTO THE
HOSPITAL, SUPPORTED HIM AND CHEERED HIM FOR HIS AMAZING
REVELATION WHICH NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF BEFORE. PER-
HAPS THIS RECOGNITION "TURNED HIM OFF."
HE WAS A FARMER FROM PETOSKY, WHO HAD SERIOUS SURGERY ON
HIS SPINAL COLUMN. HIS NECK WAS IN TRACTION, BUT I COULD
SENSE THAT HE WANTED TO SAY MORE AND INTERRUPT ON OCCASIONS
BUT PERHAPS IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO SPEAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
MAGIC GLASS BALL
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.
WE HAVE A GLASS BALL THAT IS VERY POWERFUL. I HAVE SEEN
THESE THINGS. IT IS BAD TO LEARN ABOUT DEAD SOULS.
THIS GLASS BALL IS DANGEROUS IF NOT USED PROPERLY.
THERE IS DANGER OF DEATH TO THE USER WHO RECALLS
DEAD SPIRIT. THERE ARE STRONG AND WEAK MEDIUMS.
THE FUTURE RISES UP INSIDE THE BALL SOMETIMES--IT
CAN BE SEEN. VISIONS. SOMETIMES A DEAD RELATIVE
APPEARS, OR A PERSON YOU DO NOT KNOW TELLS THINGS
ABOUT THE PAST OR THE FUTURE. IF IT IS USED WELL,
THERE WILL BE GOOD FROM IT. IT DEPENDS ON THE MEDIUM.
ON THE TABLE WITH THE BALL IS PLACED A STICK OF WOOD
OR A BOWL OF COPPER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE LOTUS IS A SACRED PLANT. WE (JAPANESE)
BELIEVE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
WHEN YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE
MONEY FROM SOMEONE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S PARENTS TOLD HIM THIS WHEN HE WAS A
YOUNG BOY AND HE BELIEVES IT BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED
TO HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 03-18-1971