Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for DETROIT, ASSUMED returned 111 results.
POLISH CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM, THAT A WEEK AFTER NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE INITIALS OF THE
THREE BIBLICAL KINGS ARE SCRAWLED IN CHALK ON THE DOORS. THE HOMES
THAT ARE MARKED ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST MISFORTUNE FOR A
YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6 |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
WHEN A BABY IS ABLE TO GRASP AND RECOGNIZE OBJECTS
A TRAY IS PLACED IN FRONT OF HIM CONTAINING OBJECTS
OF DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS, SUCH AS A HAMMER, ROSARY,
PENCIL, SLIDERULE, ETC. WHICHEVER THE BABY
GRASPS IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT WHAT HIS OCCUPATION
WILL BE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 09-10-1969
CURES
MRS. BOLCEN TOLD ME OF THE HOME MADE CURES HER MOTHER HAD.
SHE TOLD ME OF THE TIME THAT SHE CURED SCARLET FEVER BY MAKING THE
CHILDREN SOAK IN HOT WATER AND MUSTARD.
SHE ALSO CURED BOILS BY PUTTING BREAD AND MILK POULTICES ON THEM.
TO CURE BURNS SHE PUT COLD TEA ON THEM.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; BRASS RAIL CHOP HOUSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
HOLLANDER JOKE
HEAR ABOUT THE MAN IN FLORIDA WHO WANTED FLAMINGOES
IN FRONT OF HIS HOTEL?
HE PAINTED SOME HOLLANDERS PINK AND PLANTED
THEM IN HIS FRONT YARD.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; RATHSKELLER
Keyword(s): BIRDS ; DUTCH ; ETHNIC
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
HOPE DEFERRED MAKETH THE HEART SAD.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
MIRACLE IN ROME
IN A CATHEDRAL IN ROME THERE WAS A PRIEST, WHO WAS NOT A FIRM
BELIEVER SAYING MASS. WHEN HE SPLIT THE HOST SOME BLOOD SPILLED
FROM IT ON TO THE CORPOREAL ON THE ALTAR. EVERY YEAR ON GOOD FRIDAY
THE BLOOD LIQUIFIES.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-23-1968
IF MEN CAN FLY THE SKY LIKE BIRDS,
IF MEN CAN SWIM THE SEA LIKE FISH- -
WHY CAN'T MEN WALK THE EARTH LIKE MEN.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S LINE DIVISIONS CHANGED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; THEOLOGY
Keyword(s): AIRPLANES ; ALLITERATION. ; BOATS ; VERSE.
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
( PROVERBIAL DEFINITION )
INTOXICATION: TO FEEL SOPHISTICATED AND NOT BE ABLE TO PRONOUNCE IT.
Where learned: THEOLOGY CLASS ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DRUNKENNESS ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
BELIEF
IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE FRONT DOOR AND LEAVES BY THE BACK DOOR IN
IRELAND IT WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE THE PERSON
TOOK ALL THE GOOD LUCK OUT WITH HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE POLICE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME IN IRELAND JUST
TO DISTURB THE WOMEN.
Where learned: LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; IRISH BELIEF
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
KNOWLEDGE BUMP
AS THE BARBER WAS CUTTING MY HAIR HE NOTICED THAT I HAVE
A NATURAL BUMP ON THE LOWER BACK PART OF MY SKULL.
WHEN HE NOTICED THIS HE COMMENTED THAT I HAVE A "KNOWLEDGE BUMP".
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; BARBER SHOP ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
PROVERB
IF A GIRL ADMIRES HERSELF IN THE MIRROR TOO LONG, SHE WILL SEE
THE DEVIL BEHIND HER.
Submitter comment:
I ASKED MISS CLARK IF SHE REALLY BELIEVED THIS PROVERB AND SHE SAID
SHE DID BUT ONLY METAPHORICALLY.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): VANITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
LEGEND
IN ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA MANY YEARS AGO A FAMILY OF BOYS LIVED
ON A FARM. THESE BRADEY BOYS, AS THEY WERE CALLED, TERRORIZED THE
COUNTRY SIDE. WHEN THEY SEEMINGLY ALL DIED, THE TOWNSPEOPLE BURNT
DOWN THEIR HOMESTEAD IN REVENGE FOR ALL THE HARDSHIPS THE BRADEY BOY
CAUSED. TO THIS DAY THE BRADEY FARM LIES IN WASTE AS IN MEMORY OF TH
BRADEY'S DESTRUCTION AND ALSO IN FEAR THAT SOME OF THE BRADEY BOYS
MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE AND EVENTUALLY SEEK REVENGE IF ANYONE WOULD TAK
OVER THEIR LAND.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): FEAR ; PLACE NAMES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
KITTENS' PAWS
THIS MEATLESS DISH IS TRADITIONALLY SERVED ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHICH IN THE PAST WAS A DAY OF TOTAL ABSTINANCE (ABSTINENCE).
A FILLING OF CHEESE, CHOPPED SPINACH AND SPICES IS ROLLED IN SQUARES
OF PASTRY. THE ENDS OF THESE ROLLS ARE PINCHED CLOSE IN SUCH A
FASHION AS TO RESEMBLE KITTENS' PAWS. THEY ARE THEN COOKED
IN A TOMATO SAUCE AND SERVED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
RIDDLE
WHAT QUESTION CAN NEVER BE ANSWERED BY "YES"?
ARE YOU ASLEEP.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.
Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
IF THE 24TH OF AUGUST BE BRIGHT AND CLEAR,
IF THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST BE UNUSUALLY WARM,
THE WINTER WILL BE WHITE, COLD, AND LONG
THEN HOPE FOR A PROSPEROUS AUTUMN THAT YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; METONYMY: WHITE FOR SNOW ; TEMPERATURE
Date learned: 02-15-1968
BIRTH CUSTOM
IN SOME UKRANIAN VILLAGES, WHEN A BABY GIRL IS BORN, HER FATHER
TAKES A BOTTLE OF PLUM WHISKEY AND BURIES IT IN THEIR BACKYARD.
ON THE GIRL'S WEDDING DAY, HE DIGS IT UP AND THEY TOAST THE YOUNG
COUPLE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): WISH
James Callow Keyword(s): UKRAINIAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Distilled BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-02-1971
(GRAPES)
IF YOU EAT THE GRAPE OFF THE VINE,
YOU WILL NEVER TASTE THE WINE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 02-02-1970