Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for New Orleans returned 102 results.
HOW DO YOU FIT FOUR ELEPHANTS IN A VOLKSWAGEN?
TWO IN THE FRONT AND TWO IN THE BACK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST IN SIZE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-01-971
WHY DO ELEPHANTS WEAR LITTLE GREEN HATS?
SO YOU CANNOT SEE THEM WHEN THEY TIPTOE ACROSS THE POOL TABLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
LENTEN CUSTOMS
ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE LENTEN FASTING BEGINS, THE PEOPLE OF
NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF "MARDI GRAS." ACTUALLY,
MARDI GRAS MEANS "FAT TUESDAY" AND THIS IS THE DAY BEFORE ASH
WEDNESDAY. BUT THE PEOPLE CELEBRATE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE-
HAND, MUCH THE SAME WAY AS MOST PEOPLE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.
MARDI GRAS IS CHARACTERIZED BY ITS MAGNIFICENT PARADES. VARIOUS
GROUPS SPEND ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME, EFFORT, AND MONEY TO MAKE
THEIR FLOATS AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE. THROUGHOUT THE PARADE,
PEOPLE SIT ON THE FLOATS AND THROW TRINKETS, BEADS AND OTHER CHEAP
TOYS TO THE CROWDS WHO CLAMOR TO SEE WHO CAN CATCH THE MOST.
MANY OF THESE ARTICLES ARE VIRTUALLY WORTHLESS, BUT I HAVE SEEN
EXPENSIVE BEADS, GOLD PIECES AND EVEN $20.00 BILLS BEING THROWN
TOO. BESIDES THIS, EACH PARADE HAS ITS OWN PARTICULAR NAME ( THE
REX PARADE, FOR EXAMPLE) AND THE PEOPLE SITTING ON THE MAIN FLOAT
OF EACH PARADE THROW OFF "DOUBLOONS" WITH THE NAME OF THE PARADE
AND THAT YEAR STAMPED ON. A "DOUBLOON" IS A SILVER-DOLLAR SIZED,
PLASTIC COIN, ALWAYS IN PURPLE, GOLD, OR GREEN.
LONG AFTER MARDI GRAS IS OVER, PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TRADE DOUBLOONS--
TO TRY TO GET A DUBLOON OF EACH COLOR FROM EACH PARADE. THIS
COLLECTION CAN BE QUITE VALUABLE. SO THE PARADES, DOUBLOONS, BALLS,
AND PARTIES MAKE MARDI GRAS THE MOST FESTIVE TIME OF THE WHOLE
YEAR IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
KRIS KRINGLE
ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MEMBERS OF A FAMILY DRAW ONE ANOTHER'S
NAMES FROM A HAT. DURING THE NEXT WEEK, YOU ARE THE KRIS KRINGLE
TO THE PERSON WHOSE NAME YOU DREW BY SECRETLY DOING FAVORS FOR HIM.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY ALL THE PEOPLE REVEAL WHOSE NAMES THEY DREW.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F121 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00001972 (CHRISTMAS)
BAD LUCK BY A CAN
OPEN ANY CAN UPRIGHT NOT UPSIDE DOWN OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK BY A LADDER
NEVER WALK UNDER A LADDER.
Submitter comment:
LONG AGO PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT GODS WENT UP TO THE SKY ON LADDERS,
AND WALKING UNDERNEATH WOULD CERTAINLY BRING PUNISHMENT.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.13 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK
NEVER POUR COFFEE IN CREAM, POUR CREAM IN COFFEE OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK BY A BROOM
NEVER SWEEP DIRT FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE, OR FROM
THE HOUSE TO THE FRONT GATE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE SWEEPING YOUR LUCK
AWAY FROM YOU
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK BY A BROOM
DO NOT WALK OVER A BROOM OR NO ONE WILL COME TO VISIT YOU
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BROOM AND BAD LUCK
NEVER STAND A BROOM UPSIDE DOWN IN A HOUSE. IT IS A SIGN OF BAD
LUCK. ALSO: IF YOU STAND A BROOM UPSIDE DOWN IN A CORNER WITH A
FORK STUCK IN IT, YOU CAN MAKE AN UNWANTED VISITOR LEAVE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BROOM
NEVER SWEEP ANYONE'S FEET OR YOUR FEET WITH A BROOM BECAUSE THAT
PERSON OR YOU WILL GO TO JAIL.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-23-1973
SPLIT THE POST
IF SOMETHING COMES BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE WALKING TOGETHER, THE YOUNGEST
WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 12-01-1973
COMBING HAIR
IF TWO PEOPLE COMB IN THE SAME PERSONS' HAIR AT THE SAME TIME THE
YOUNGEST WILL DIE FIRST.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BURN OLD HAIR
ALWAYS BURN YOUR HAIR THAT IS LEFT IN THE COMB OR BRUSH BECAUSE IF
A BIRD MAKES HIS NEST WITH YOUR HAIR, YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HEADACHE
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
SHOES
NEVER PUT YOUR SHOES OVER YOUR HEAD ON A SHELF OR YOU WILL ALWAYS
HAVE A HEADACHE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
SHOES AND SLEEPING
NEVER SLEEP WITH YOUR SHOES UNDER THE BED, IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO
HAVE BAD DREAMS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: CA11001973
WATCH YOUR STEP
NEVER STEP OVER A PERSON, ESPECIALLY A BABY BECAUSE YOU WILL STOP
THE PERSON FROM GROWING.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
NEVER STEP OVER URINE OR A STAR WILL FORM ON YOUR EYELID.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): STY? STAR?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER CUT BOTH ENDS OF A LOAF OF BREAD OR BOTH OF YOUR PARENTS WILL
DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
NEVER BREAK FRENCH BREAD WITH YOUR HAND. ALWAYS CUT IT OR YOU WILL
CAUSE YOUR FATHER TO BREAK HIS BACK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: CA11001973