Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for PENNSYLVANIA returned 515 results.
THE JERSEY DEVIL
"MY DAD LIVED IN NEW JERSEY ON A FARM. HE SAID THAT EVERY
TIME AFTER IT RAINED, YOU COULD SEE STRANGE FEET AND TAIL
MARKS IN THE MUD. MANY PEOPLE SAW THIS AND WERE BECOMING
WORRIED ABOUT WHAT COULD BE MAKING THESE MARKS. ONE NIGHT
MANY OF THE FARMSMEN AND MY DAD DECIDED TO WAIT FOR THIS
CREATURE. NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN THIS ANIMAL AND IT ONLY
CAME OUT IN THE EARLY MORNING AFTER IT RAINED. SO ALL OF
THE MEN WENT OUT IN THE MORNING AND WAITED FOR THE ANIMAL
BY THE SWAMP. ONE MAN LEFT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. HE WAS
GONE FOR A LONG TIME, SO ANOTHER MAN WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM.
WHEN HE FOUND THE MAN, HE WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND
UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN THE MAN RECOVERED, HE SAID THAT THE
"JERSEY DEVIL" HIT HIM ON THE HEAD WITH HIS HAND. HE SAID
THAT THE DEVIL HAD A VERY UGLY MAN'S FACE, HORNS ON THE
TOP OF HIS HEAD, A MAN'S BODY DOWN TO HIS WAIST, THE REST OF
HIM WAS A SNAKE'S BODY EXCEPT FOR TWO HUMAN LEGS. THEY
ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THIS DEVIL."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT YOU CAN CALL THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THE STORY ABOUT THE "JERSEY DEVIL."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
UKRAINIAN WOOD CARVING
MANY ARTICLES ARE DECORATIVELY CARVED FROM WOOD BY A
GROUP OF UKRAINIANS CALLED HUTSULS. VARIOUS GEOMETRIC
SHAPES ARE CAREFULLY CHISELED INTO THE WOOD. SOME OF THE
SYMBOLS USED IN EASTER EGG ART ARE USED IN THE WOOD CARVING.
THIS DECORATIVE CARVED WOOD APPEARS AS PLATES, FANCY
WOODEN CONTAINERS WITH COVERS, CANDLESTICKS, AND JEWELRY
SUCH AS BEADS, BROOCHES, AND BRACELETS. SOMETIMES THE
CARVED WOOD IS IMPLANTED WITH COLORFUL GLASS BEADS TO
ACCENTUATE THE VARIOUS SHAPES AND DESIGNS.
Submitter comment:
MANY UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES REQUEST THESE ITEMS
FROM FAMILY MEMBERS STILL IN THE UKRAINE. THEY ADD THESE
ITEMS TO THEIR OWN COLLECTIONS OR GIVE THEM AS GIFTS FOR
VERY SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wood Gourd |
Date learned: 00001960S
EPIPHANY CEREMONY
EACH YEAR ON THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY, JANUARY 6, THE FATHER
USING A WHITE CHALK, MAKES A CROSS OVER EACH DOORWAY.
NEXT TO THE CROSS HE WRITES THE YEAR. IT'S SYMBOLIC OF
ASKING GOD'S BLESSING ON ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE ROOMS
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THE CROSS, SYMBOLIC OF CHRIST,
REMINDED EACH PERSON THAT GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF AT THE
BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Date learned: 00001970S
THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL
SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE
Date learned: 10-23-1965
WEATHER FORECAST
FAIRIES HAVE THEIR WASH OUT, WON,T RAIN TODAY. (DEW ON SPIDER WEBS)
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
Date learned: 11-13-1965
PROVERB
DUTCH: DE MAD MIT DIKA BOKO:
DUTCH: DE MAD MIT DIKA BOKA HEN HARTSA WE DO WOKA.
TRANSLATION: GIRLS WITH FAT CHEEKS:
TRANSLATION: GIRLS WITH FAT CHEEKS HAVE HEARTS LIKE FLINT.
Submitter comment: WILHELMI, LUCY M. SR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
"READY UP THE ROOM."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID TO MEAN STRAIGHTEN THE ROOM. THIS PHRASE
IS ALWAYS USED BY THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; DALLAS ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-15-1972
Ethnic:Belgium
Wedding:
In Belgium, at weddings, it was a belief and general practice that the more important or wealthy the bride, the later she would arrive at the church. There were instances where the bride would be as much as 1/2 hour late. The priests were well aware of this practice and would not grow impatient during the waiting period.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P545, F578] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; Bride ; CEREMONY ; ETHNIC ; Late ; MARRIAGE ; PRIEST ; Tardy ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Custom/Belief
Baptism:
In Belgium, children were baptized when they were 3 days old. When the ceremonies were completed, signified by bell ringing at the church, other children would gather outside the church, at which time, the parents of the one baptized would throw chocolate covered almonds or other candy to the awaiting children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F543, P686, S720, N247, F533] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): BAPTISM ; Belgium ; CANDY ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
WRONG SIDE OF BED
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR BED. YOUR GUARDIAN
ANGEL SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT AND THE DEVIL ON THE LEFT. IF YOU GET OUT
THE LEFT SIDE, YOU AWAKEN THE DEVIL AND HE LEADS YOU INTO
TROUBLE.THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE FOR THE RIGHT SIDE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE MORE COMMON SAYING THAT "YOU GOT OUT ON THE
WRONG SIDE OF THE BED" WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN A BAD MOOD IN THE MORNING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; WEATHERLY
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00001960S
DRINK
HE'S ALWAYS AT THE BOTTLE
Submitter comment: HE ALWAYS DRINKS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
Keyword(s): METONYMY: CONTAINER FOR THE CONTAINED. ; PHRASE METAPHOR DRINKING HABITS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
EACH PLAYER IS ASSIGNED A NUMBER.
THE PLAYERS THEN BEGIN TO SLAP THEIR KNEES WITH THE PALMS, TWICE IN
RHYTHEM AND THEN CLAP THEIR HANDS IN THE SAME MANNER.
THE FIRST PLAYER CALLS OUT HIS NUMBER ON THE DOWNWARD STROKE, SAYING
IT TWICE, ON THE UPWARD STROKE HE SAYS ANOTHER PLAYER'S NUMBER,
THUS PASSING THE CALLING OF THE NUMBERS TO HIM. THE TEMPO
PICKS UP WITH EACH NUMBER CALLED, AND THE LAST PERSON LEFT
WITHOUT ANY MISTAKES, WINS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; DREXEL HILL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
DOESN'T IT GET YOUR NANNY,
DOESN'T IT GET YOUR GOAT,
WHEN YOU'RE IN THE BATHTUB,
AND CAN'T FIND THE SOAP.
Submitter comment:
FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTUGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BATHTUB VERSE ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
PUT A PIECE OF FRESHLY CUT POTATO ON A WART AND RUB IT, THEN
THROW IT AWAY AND DON'T WATCH WHERE IT GOES. AS THE POTATO
ROTS, THE WART WILL GO AWAY.
Submitter comment:
Micheline Caputo - deceased Grandmother. Housewife, Italian.
I heard these things from my grandmother throughout most of my young adult life. She was a fantastic storyteller, and was a storehouse of all kinds of information.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VANDERBILT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE INFORMANT USED TO LIVE NEAR SOME COKE OVENS IN
VANDERBILT -- POPULATION 200. SHE SAID THAT ONCE SHE SAW
A MAN FALL INTO THE OVENS AND HE WAS BURIED ALIVE. ON
EACH NIGHT AFTERWARDS HE COULD BE SEEN WALKING THE AREA
OF THE OVENS, THEN AS SUDDENLY AS IT BEGAN IT STOPPED.
SHE NEVER SAW IT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
Micheline Caputo - deceased Grandmother. Housewife, Italian.
I heard these things from my grandmother throughout most of my young adult life. She was a fantastic storyteller, and was a storehouse of all kinds of information.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VANDERBILT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE MANGER WITH THE CHRIST CHILD SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE NATIVITY
SCENE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS PRACTICED BY THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY AS LONG AS THE INFORMANT
CAN REMEMBER. INFORMANT'S PARENTS DO NOT REMEMBER THEIR FAMILIES
DOING THIS WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY PICKED UP
THE CUSTOM. CUSTOM IS STILL FOLLOWED.
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
HU - UCKLE, BU- BUCKLE, HU-UCKLE-I,
HU-UCKLE, BU-BUCKLE, HUCKLEBERRY PIE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-06-1987
MONEY CAKE FOR CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY
WHENEVER THERE WAS A BIRTHDAY IN MY HOUSE AMONG MY FAMILY, IT WAS
THE TRADITION TO HAVE A MONEY CAKE BAKED BY YOUR MOTHER. EACH
DEMONINATION OF MONEY WAS WRAPPED IN WAXED PAPER AND MIXED UP IN THE
BATTER AND WHEN THE CAKE IS SERVED THE PERSON WHO GETS THE MONEY IS
CONSIDERED LUCKY AND HAS GOOD LUCK FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
THE GHOST OF BULLIVA
3 MEN BY THE NAMES OF FELLIN, THRONE AND BULLIVA OPERATED A COAL MINE
OUTSIDE OF HAZELTON. ONE DAY THE MINE SHAFT COLLAPSED TRAPPING ALL
3 OF THE MEN. AFTER LOCATING THE MEN BY MEANS OF TEST DRILLING,
THEY DRILLED INCREASINGLY LARGER HOLES UNTIL AFTER ABOUT TEN DAYS OF
DRILLING THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THE MEN OUT. HOWEVER, ONLY FELLIN AND
THRONE WERE RESCUED. BULLIVA WAS NEVER FOUND AND IT IS THEORIZED THAT
HE WAS TRAPPED IN A LOWER SHAFT AND DIED THERE. HOWEVER, IT IS SAID
THAT FELLIN AND THRONE ATE HIM IN ORDER TO STAY ALIVE THEMSELVES AND
THAT BULLIVA'S GHOST STILL HAUNTS THAT MINE WAITING FOR HIS CHANCE TO
ESCAPE AND SEEK HIS REVENGE.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TRUE ALTHOUGH THE FATE OF BULLIVA WAS NEVER REALLY
DETERMINED.
CANNIBALISM
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; HAZELTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001965
KNOCK ON WOOD SO NOTHING WILL HAPPEN AFTER YOU SAID IT
MIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knock On Wood ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P670 P670.88 |
Date learned: 00001950S