Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME returned 86 results.
FEVER
WATERMELON WILL REDUCE A FEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
HICCUP CURE
DRINK WATER FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE GLASS
WHILE BENDING OVER.
Submitter comment:
EACH MEMBER OF INFORMANT'S FAMILY
HAS DONE THIS WHEN THEY HAVE THE HICCUPS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
WISHING ON A PIN
IF A SHARP OBJECT LIKE A PIN OR SCISSORS ETC.
FALLS TO THE FLOOR AND STANDS UPRIGHT,
YOU MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
WISH: EYELASH HAIR
WHEN A HAIR FELL OUT FROM AN EYELASH
IT WOULD BE USED TO MAKE A WISH BY TWO PEOPLE
SIMPLY BY PLACING THE HAIR BETWEEN THE THUMBS OF TWO
INDIVIDUALS. AFTER MAKING THE WISH AND
THE THUMBS WERE PULLED APART, THE PERSON THAT THE
EYELASH HAIR HAS STUCK TO GETS HIS WISH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS USING THIS METHOD OF WISHING
WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P62 |
Date learned: 10-29-1971
SONGS
ROMANIAN MEN AND BOYS GO ABOUT SINGING OF THE HOLY BIRTH
AND CARRY A GREAT WOODEN CROSS OR STAR. THE STAR IS COVERED
WITH LIVELY PAPER AND LITTLE TWINKLING BELLS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT NOTED THAT THIS IS STILL PRACTICED IN THE UNITED
STATES BY EASTERN ORTHODOX CANTORS (MEN WHO SING OR CHANT
RESPONSES TO THE PRIEST DURING A MASS). USUALLY A DONATION
IS GIVEN TO THEM BY EACH HOUSE IN THE PARISH AND THE MONEY IS
THEN GIVEN TO THE CHURCH. THE INFORMANT SAID THE STAR IS MERELY
DECORATED TO ADD TO THE FESTIVITIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
LOSS OF A SWEETHEART
IF YOU ARE RIDING OVER TRACKS (WHETHER THEY ARE TRAIN TRACKS
OR STREETCAR TRACKS) RAISE YOUR FEET OFF THE GROUND. IF
YOU DON'T, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR PRESENT SWEETHEART.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-01-1970
OMEN FOR SADNESS
IF YOU LAUGH ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL CRY ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
INDICATOR OF A WEDDING
IF A GROUP OF PEOPLE END UP LOOKING AT EACH OTHER'S FEET,
SOMEONE IN THAT GROUP WILL BE GETTING MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
INDICATOR OF AN ARGUMENT
NEVER HAND A PERSON A SHARP OBJECT AS THIS WILL BRING ABOUT
AN ARGUMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
KISS A FOOL
IF ONE SIDE OF YOUR NOSE IS ITCHY, YOU WILL KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
OMEN OF DEATH
IF A BIRD KNOCKS AGAINST A WINDOW OF A HOME, THERE
WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
OMEN FOR A LETTER
IF YOU FIND AN ELONGATED PIECE OF THREAD OR STRING ON YOUR
CLOTHING, YOU WILL SOON BE RECEIVING AN UNEXPECTED LETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
INDICATOR OF AN ARGUMENT
IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU WILL HAVE AN ARGUMENT. SPRINKLING
SALT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER MIGHT HELP STOP THIS RESULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
DUMB, DUMB, DO-DO/CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
I CAN RUN FASTER THAN---CAN.
( THIS IS A CHASE GAME FOR JUMP ROPE. THE PERSON WHO SAYS THE RHYME
WILL JUMP SO MANY TIMES AND JUMP OUT. THE SECOND PERSON WILL JUMP IN
AND JUMP THE SAME NUMBER OF TIMES. CONTINUES UNTIL THE FIRST PERSON
IS CAUGHT OR SOMEONE MISSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
DUMMY, DUMMY, DODO CATCH ME IF YOU CAN/ I CAN RUN FASTER THAN---CAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-24-1970
CHRISTMAS
IF YOU DON'T LEAVE A LUNCH FOR SANTA
ON THE TABLE, HE WILL PASS ON BY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLS LEAVING FOOD FOR HIM
AT NIGHT, AND SEEING IT GONE IN THE MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 01-20-1970
Jump-rope Rhyme
DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS, THERE SAT (NAME) AS SWEET AS A ROSE,
SHE SANG, SHE SANG, SHE SANG SO SWEET,
ALONG CAME (BOY'S NAME) AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK,
HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
ONE, TWO, THREE . . . (COUNT UNTIL THE PERSON MISSES. THE LAST NUMBER IS THE AMOUNT OF KISSES THE GIRL SUPPOSEDLY GOT.)
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): ENDURANCE JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-18-1971
DUMMY, DUMMY DOO, DOO, / CATCH ME IF YOU CAN,/ I CAN RUN FASTER THAN
(NAME) CAN. (A GAME OF TAG TAKES PLACE.
THE ONE BEING CHASED CAN JUMP
AS MANY TIMES AS HE LIKES AND THE SECOND ONE MUST DO THE SAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-18-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS WHEN GIVING PRESENTS TO CLOSE FRIENDS AND
RELATIVES, INSTEAD OF USING A BOW ON TOP OF THE PRESENT MY
SISTERS FRIEND'S PARENTS USE A CHRISTMAS BULB SO THAT EVEN
WHEN THE GIFT IS GONE THE THOUGHT WILL BE REMEMBERED EVERY
YEAR ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
GERMANS DO NOT GIVE PRESENTS AT CHRISTMAS THAT ARE BOUGHT
AT THE STORES. THEY FEEL IT IS MORE IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
TO MAKE THE PRESENTS THAT THEY GIVE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN GERMANY THIS SUMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 03-16-1971