Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MICHIGAN returned 23056 results.
THE CLADDOUGH RING
AN IRISH ENGAGEMENT RING IS CALLED A CLADDOUGH RING, A HEART HELD
IN TWO HANDS UNDER A CROWN. WHEN WORN ON THE LEFT HAND IT
SYMBOLIZES THAT THERE IS SOMEONE SPECIAL IN YOUR LIFE. WHEN WORN
ON THE RIGHT HAND WITH THE HEART FACING YOU, IT MEANS THAT THERE
IS SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE ESPECIALLY FOND OF, AND WORN ON THE
RIGHT HAND WITH THE HEART FACING OUT IT MEANS THAT YOUR HEART
IS STILL OPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA02001980
ON BOARD A NAVAL VESSEL, IT IS BAD LUCK TO WALK UP
A LADDER ON THE PORT SIDE OR DOWN ON THE AFT
SIDE OF THE SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS NOW CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK TO RECEIVE ORDERS
ABOARD THE U.S.S. ORISKANY (CALLED THE BIG O), FOR
SAILORS FEEL SHE IS A DEATH SHIP.
Data entry tech comment: BECAUSE OF THE NAME? O RISK ANY?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
DECORATING ON CHRISTMAS EVE
DECORATING OF THE HOME AND CHRISTMAS TREE ON CHRISTMAS EVE IT IS THE
OFFICIAL STARTING OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: CA02001980
IT IS CONSIDERED VERY GOOD LUCK FOR PORPOISES TO
FOLLOW A SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
NIGHTGOWNS
THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE ALWAYS BUYS HER DAUGHTERS NIGHT GOWN FOR HER
WEDDING NIGHT. IT IS CONSIDERED AN INSULT IF ANYONE ELSE BUYS IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA02001980
HOPECHESTS
IN AN ITALIAN FAMILY WHEN A GIRL IS BORN HER HOPE CHEST IS STARTED
FOR HER ON THAT VERY DAY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: CA02001980
SNIPE HUNTING
SNIPE HUNTING: A CHILDREN'S GANE OF CHASING A SMALL FURRY ANIMAL
THAT ONLY EXISTS IN THEIR MINDS, BUT
THEY CAN SPEND HOURS LOOKING FOR ONE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching |
Date learned: CA02001980
THERE IS A TRADITIONAL NAVY CUSTOM PLAYED ON ALL NEW CREW
MEMBERS. A CIRCLE OF SAILORS SURROUNDS A MEDIUM SIZE BOX
WITH A SMALL HOLE CUT IN THE TOP. WHEN THE UNSUSPECTING
VICTIM APPROACHES AND QUESTIONS THE PURPOSE OF THE BOX,
HE IS INFORMED THAT IT CONTAINS A SEA BAT, AND THAT HE
SHOULD PEER INTO THE HOLE TO SEE IT. UPON DOING THIS, HE IS
STRUCK FROM THE REAR RESOUNDINGLY WITH A HEAVY DECK BROOM.
WHEN HE SCREECHES IN PAIN, THE MEN INFORME HIM THAT HE HAS
JUST BEEN BIT BY A "SEA BAT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
HOLY MEDALS
THE HANGING OF A HOLY MEDAL OVER THE FRONT DOOR
GIVES A BLESSING TO ALL WHO ENTER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
IT IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM IN THE NAVY WHILE ON BOARD SHIP
AND CROSSING THE EQUATOR THAT THE NEW CREW MEMBERS
CROSSING FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST "KISS KING NEPTUNE'S BELLY,"
THAT IS, THEY MUST FRENCH KISS THE NAVEL OF THE CAPTAIN OF
THE SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS AN OLD NAVAL CUSTOM THAT ALL MEN CROSSING THE EQUATOR
FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST CRAWL THROUGH THE GARBAGE CHUTE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ST. BRIDGET'S CROSS
THE HANGING OF ST BRIDGET'S CROSSOVER THE FRONT DOOR
INSURES GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO LIVE THERE
Submitter comment:
ST BRIDGET'S CROSS IS AN IRISH CUSTOM
DESIGNED AND FASHIONED FROM FRESH GREEN REEDS AND IS BLESSED
MUCH THE SAME WAY AS PALMS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA02001980
SINGING AT THE DINNER TABLE IS BAD LUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Bad luck |
ANOTHER FAVORITE PASTIME OF THE SEASONED PETTY OFFICERS IS
TO SEND THE YOUNG RECRUITS TO THE STORE ROOM FOR "DECK DRAIN
PULLERS" OR FOR "AIR HOOKS," BOTH OF WHICH SERVE THE SAME
NON-EXISTENT PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ANOTHER TRICK USED BY THE PETTY OFFICERS ON BOARD SHIP
TO HARASS YOUNG RECRUITS WAS TO PERIODICALLY SEND THESE
YOUNG MEN TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE DAY TO REQUEST THE
KEYS FOR JET 27, FOR EXAMPLE. THERE ARE NO KEYS TO
JET ENGINES, AND THIS IS DONE TRADITIONALLY TO RIDE
THESE YOUNG KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS A TRADITIONAL PRACTICE FOR A SEASONED OFFICER
TO TELL A "BOOT" THAT HE HAS BEEN PICKED FOR "MAIL BUOY
WATCH" FOR A CERTAIN EVENING. THE OFFICER THEN GIVES
HIM A LIFE JACKET, A PAIR OF BINOCULARS, A FLASHLIGHT,
AND A LARGE WHISTLE. HE IS THEN SENT TO THE "CROW'S
NEXT" WHERE HE MUST STAY UNTIL 6:00 THE FOLLOWING
MORNING, OR UNTIL HE SPOTS THE "MAIL BUOY." HE IS TOLD
TO LOOK FOR A SUBMARINE, WHICH WILL SURFACE HALFWAYS
AND SEND UP A MAIL BUOY. HE IS TO BLOW THE WHISTLE
AS SOON AS HE SIGHTS THIS. OBVIOUSLY, NOTHING LIKE
THIS EXISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
WHEN NEW "BOOTS" WERE SENT ON BOARD SHIP, IT WAS A
REGULAR CUSTOM AMONG THE PETTY OFFICERS TO HARASS
THEM. ONE TRADITIONAL SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION AROSE
WHEN THE "BOOTS" WERE SENT TO THE STORE ROOM FOR
"AFTER-BURNER FLINT," TO START THE JET ENGINES.
OBVIOUSLY, NO FLINTS ARE NECESSARY TO START JET
ENGINES, BUT INVARIABLY THESE YOUNG "BOOTCAMPS"
WOULD FALL FOR THIS TRICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
NEW WORKERS ARE FREQUENTLY SENT BACK TO THE SUPPLY
ROOMS FOR NEW TOOLS AFTER BEING INFORMED BY FOREMEN
OR OTHER JOKERS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH
"LEFT HANDED HAMMERS, SCREW DRIVERS, ETC.) (FROM
FACTORY OF DETROITER MOBILE HOMES, ST. LOUIS, MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
TWO CUPS - ONE POUND,
THE WORLD AROUND.
Submitter comment: COLLECTOR DOES NOT KNOW MEANING. --J.T.CALLOW
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb |
Date learned: 09-22-1968