Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FARM returned 198 results.
GHOST SUPERSTITION
SHE TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH A FOREST YOU SHOULD HOLD
A PIECE OF BREAD IN YOUR HAND IN ORDER TO SCARE AWAY ALL THE GHOSTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): BREAD ; Forest ; GHOST ; Protect ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward Off
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
BELIEF
THE PEOPLE OF LIBYA BELIEVE THE WHITE SPIRIT APPEARS AT NIGHT IN
SOME FORM OF LIGHT, SO WHENEVER THEY SEE ANY LIGHT AT NIGHT
THEY SHUDDER IN FEAR OF THE WHITE SPIRIT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): COLOR ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Libya ; Libyan ; MYSTERIOUS LIGHT ; SPIRIT ; White
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
WWI STORIES
MRS JOHN MCINTYRE'S SON COULD NOT GET IN TO THE ARMY IN WORLD WAR I
SHE SAID THAT HE WAS MENTALLY AND MORALLY UNFIT FOR MILITARY DUTY
WHAT SHE MEANT WAS MEDICALLY AND MORALLY
Submitter comment: THIS WAS FIRST HEARD IN BAD AX MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: CA02001980
Proverb
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Broth ; Chef ; COOK ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; RECIPE ; Spoil ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
IF YOU'RE TELLING A LIE, CROSS YOUR FINGERS BEFORE YOU
SAY IT AND IT WON'T BE A LIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Date learned: 11-29-1969
A LIBYAN BELIEF
FOR THE ARAB PEOPLES, THE SIGN OF THE GREATEST INSULT
IS TO BE SHOWN THE SOLES OF ANOTHER'S SHOES. FOR AN
EXAMPLE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO BE
CAREFUL NOT TO CROSS THEIR LEGS EITH THEIR SHOW
SOLES SHOWING. THIS IS BECAUSE, FOR THE ARABS, THE
SOLE OF A SHOE IS THE LOWEST THING BECAUSE IT
TOUCHES THE GROUND, WHICH IS REGARDED AS THE LOWEST
DIRTIEST AND MOST DISGUSTING THING.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
IN GREAT BRITAIN, IF A PERSON HOLDS A FIST AT YOU AND PUTS
THE THUMB STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR, HE IS SAYING THAT
YOU'RE OK OR A GOOD GUY.
Submitter comment: SERIOUS MOOD CONCERNING THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- All right O.K. |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
ACT YOUR AGE NOT YOUR SHOE SIZE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
PLACE
FRAIDY CELLAR = BASEMENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
SHE'S SO BUSY, SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHETHER SHE'S
ON FOOT OR HORSEBACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
THERE WAS ONCE A GIRL TRAINING TO BE A NURSE. SHE
HAD ENTERED A CLASS ON DISSECTING CADAVERS AND
FELT QUEASY ABOUT TAKING THE COURSE, WHICH WAS RE-
QUIRED. OTHER TRAINEES WHO HAD REALIZED HER FEAR,
HAD PLANNED A PRACTICAL JOKE. THEY CUT AN ARM OFF
OF ONE OF THE CADAVERS AND REPLACED HER LAMP'S
PULLCORD WITH IT. LAMPS IN THOSE DAYS DAYS
UTILIZED A PULLCORD TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THEIR
INTENTIONS WERE SIMPLY TO INNOCENTLY SHOCK THE GIRL
AS SHE ENTERED HER ROOM AND TURNED THE LIGHT ON.
AS THE GIRLS AWAITED TO HEAR THE VICTIM'S REACTION
NOTHING HAPPENED AND THEY BEGAN TO WORRY. SO THEY
ENTERED HER ROOM, ONLY TO FIND IT EMPTY WITH A
GURGLING NOISE RISING FROM BENEATH THE BED. IN-
VESTIGATING, THEY FOUND THE STUDENT HUDDLED UNDER
THE BED GNAWING AT THE ARM, HAVING GONE MAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
THERE WAS ONCE A GIRL TRAINING TO BE A NURSE. SHE
HAD ENTERED A CLASS ON DISSECTING CADAVERS AND
FELT QUEASY ABOUT TAKING THE COURSE, WHICH WAS RE-
QUIRED. OTHER TRAINEES WHO HAD REALIZED HER FEAR,
HAD PLANNED A PRACTICAL JOKE. THEY CUT AN ARM OFF
OF ONE OF THE CADAVERS AND REPLACED HER LAMP'S
PULLCORD WITH IT. LAMPS IN THOSE DAYS DAYS
UTILIZED A PULLCORD TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THEIR
INTENTIONS WERE SIMPLY TO INNOCENTLY SHOCK THE GIRL
AS SHE ENTERED HER ROOM AND TURNED THE LIGHT ON.
AS THE GIRLS AWAITED TO HEAR THE VICTIM'S REACTION
NOTHING HAPPENED AND THEY BEGAN TO WORRY. SO THEY
ENTERED HER ROOM, ONLY TO FIND IT EMPTY WITH A
GURGLING NOISE RISING FROM BENEATH THE BED. IN-
VESTIGATING, THEY FOUND THE STUDENT HUDDLED UNDER
THE BED GNAWING AT THE ARM, HAVING GONE MAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
PUT A DANDELION UNDER YOUR CHIN AND IF YOUR CHIN
TURNS YELLOW, IT MEANS EITHER THAT YOU LIKE
BUTTER OR YOU'RE IN LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Chin BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD AT THE SAME TIME, YOU
CAN MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS BY MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
AFTER A WISHBONE FOR A TURKEY OR CHICKEN IS DRIED,
TWO PEOPLE GRASP BOTH SIDES OF IT AND PULL. THE
ONE THAT HAS THE WHOLE SIDE LEFT IS CONSIDERED
THE ONE TO GET HIS WISH.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS BEEN A CUSTOM IN OUR HOME SINCE I WAS
A LITTLE GIRL AND IN MY MOTHER'S HOME WHEN SHE
WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-14-1970
LITTLE, WHITE BRUISES UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS, SYMBOLIZE
LITTLE WHITE LIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS PROBABLY PASSED DOWN FROM FRIENDS OF MY
GRANDPARENTS OR MY GRANDPARENTS, WHICH I CANNOT PIN
DOWN. I JUST KNOW THAT I HAVE KNOWN THIS (SINCE)
CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
TO GET RID OF A WART: CUT A POTATO IN HALF, HOLD IT OVER YOUR
BACK, WALK OUT TO A RIVER BED, THEN THROW IT OVER YOUR
SHOULDER INTO THE RIVER WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER PLUGGING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
TO CURE A WART, CUT A POTATO IN HALF AND RUB ONE HALF ON THE
WART. AT MIDNIGHT THAT NIGHT, BURY BOTH PARTS OF THE POTATO.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD FRENCH CURE WHICH HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN IN
QUEBEC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; CANADA ; QUEBEC
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER PLUGGING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-19-1970
HARE KRISHNA'S BELIEVE IN NOT EATING MEAT BECAUSE IT REDUCES
THEM TO AN ANIMALISTIC STATE (IF THEY DO.)
Submitter comment:
MR. AYOTTE LEARNED THIS WHILE TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO
WANTED TO CONVERT HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |