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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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EVIL EYE IN INDIA

IF THE EYE HAS BEEN CAST UPON YOU
YOU WILL GET SICK OR SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN.
TO TAKE IT AWAY YOU MUST WAVE A MIXTURE OF RED CHILES
AND SALT OVER THE CHILD'S HEAD. AT THE SAME TIME
YOU RECITE A CRADLE AND END UP BY WAVING OVER THE
HEAD IN THE SHAPE OF A CROSS.
THEN YOU MUST THROW IT INTO THE FIRE TO BURN.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; EAST QUAD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 03-05-1971

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I USED TO LEAVE FOOD FOR SNATA
CLAUS AND HAY FOR HIS REINDEER.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SOUTH QUAD

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus

Date learned: 10-23-1970

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"BELIEF ABOUT BAPTISM"

IF YOU REFUSE TO BE A GODPARENT, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK
UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN A GODPARENT SEVEN TIMES. YOU MUST,
HOWEVER, ASK TO BE THE GODPARENT OF THOSE SEVEN CHILDREN.

Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
BELIEF -- Baptism Naming rite
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 10-25-1970

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NUMBER SEVEN (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)

THE WOMAN WHOSE PRESENT IS THE SEVENTH ONE OPENED AT A BABY SHOWER
WILL BE THE NEXT PERSON TO HAVE A BABY.

Where learned: TOLD AT HER HOME

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
Observation
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 01-21-1968

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INDULGENCES

CATHOLICS SAY CERTAIN PRAYERS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF
TIMES TO GET TIME OFF THEIR TIME IN PURGATORY.

Where learned: NORTH QUAD ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 03-03-1971

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THE ITALIAN GOOD LUCK NUMBER IS NUMBER "13"

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME OF A

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 02-27-1971

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RELIGIOUS LEGEND

ONE DAY WHEN THE BLESSED VIRGIN WAS WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT SHE
MARVELED AT THE BEAUTY OF THE DATE TREE. SHE EXCLAIMED, "OH",
GOD WAS SO WARMED BY HER EXCLAMATION OF JOY THAT ON EVERY DATE
PIT IS IMPRINTED AN O.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): BIBLICAL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 02-18-1970

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BELIEF

WHEN SOME PEOPLE HEAR A DOG HOWLING IN THE NIGHT, THEY
BELIEVE BAD NEWS WILL SOON FOLLOW.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-01-1970

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PROVERB

HE WHO WASHES FACE MUST FIRST WASH NYLONS.

Submitter comment: USED BECAUSE THERE ARE SIX FEMALES IN THE FAMILY WHO ALWAYS WASH
THEIR NYLONS IN THE BATHROOM SINK.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): FUNCTION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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DON'T CARRY OR ACCEPT A TWO-DOLLAR BILL - IT BRINGS BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: (MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS FROM HER COUSIN AS A CHILD.)

Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): PARADOX

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two

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BELIEF

IF ONE'S NOSE ITCHES, IT IS BELIEVED THAT HE WILL EITHER
KISS A STRANGER OR MEET A FOOL.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 01-27-1970

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LUCK AND BAD LUCK

SEEING A PREYING (PRAYING) MANTIS ON A WINDOW SILL IS GOOD LUCK.
KILLING ONE IS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: KILLING A PRAYING MANTIS ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.33
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.33

Date learned: 09-18-1969

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FORMULA SPEECH

WHAT ABOUT THE SAYING, WHEN SOMEBODY WOULD SAY "HEY YOU!"; YOU
USED TO SAY, "SAVE THE HAY FOR LITTLE JESUS."

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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BELIEF

IF TWO FRIENDS WASH THEIR HANDS TOGETHER IN THE SAME SINK AND
THEN DRY THEIR HANDS ON THE SAME TOWEL, THEIR FRIENDSHIP
WILL BE BROKEN.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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MOVEMENT OF EARTH BELIEF

THE GROUND MOVES AS THE EARTH TURNS; IF YOU PUT SOMETHING ON THE GROUND IT WILL MOVE.

Where learned: told at work

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P47O
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies

Date learned: 11-05-1971

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SILVER BELIEF

IF YOU BURY SILVER IT TURNS WITH THE EARTH AND WILL
MOVE TO A DIFFERENT PLACE.

Where learned: told at work

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Planet
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- P47O
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies

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VITAMIN BELIEF

IF YOU EAT GREEN VEGETABLES, THEY'LL MAKE YOUR HAIR THICK AND FASTER-GROWING

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME ; 26257 Elba

Keyword(s): VEGETABLES

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; FUNCTION ; Positive

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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MAMMAL

ONLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE CATTLE TALK AMONG
THEMSELVES. THEY TLAK OF THE DAY, DURING THE NEW YEAR, WHEN THEY
WILL CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETARY.

Submitter comment: OUR FATHER HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER DURING THE EARLY 1900'S. IT
WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN OLD SAYING EVEN THEN. DURING THE 1800'S ONE
MAN DID DIE AND HIS CATTLE TOWED HIS BODY TO THE CEMETARY (THIS
COULD HAVE BEEN THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME

Keyword(s): BELIEF

Subject headings: Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs

Date learned: 11-14-1971

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WORMS

WEAR A PIECE OF GARLIC AROUND NECK TO CHASE OFF BAD SPIRITS AND TO
CURE STOMACH WORMS.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 04-00-1970

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PLANT CUREALLS

IF YOU CUT A SPANISH ONION AND SIT IT AT THE FOOT OF YOUR BED
WHEN YOU ARE SICK
AND THEN OPEN YOUR WINDOW A LITTLE,
IT WILL DRAW THE SICKNESS OUT OF THE ROOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; GROSSE POINTE PARK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-16-1971

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