Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SUPERSTITION returned 465 results.
SUPERSTITION FOR GOOD LUCK
IN ORDER TO ENSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR YOU SHOULD EAT
CABBAGE FOR DINNER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Cabbage ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; LUCK ; Meal ; New Years ; SUPERSTITION
A male being the first person to enter your house on New
Year's Day would mean that you and your home would be blessed
with good fortune all year.
James Callow comment:
See Hand, North Carolina, nos. 3886, 3889-3890.
Where learned: GEORGIA
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; Guest ; Home ; Host ; LUCK ; Male ; Man ; New Year ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
IF YOU SEE A PAPER CLIP AND CONTINUOUSLY KEEP PICKING
IT UP ALL DAY YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK ; LUCK ; Paperclip ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
EVIL EYE
ANYTHING BLUE OR WEARING THE EVIL EYE WILL KEEP PEOPLE FROM GIVING
YOU THE EVIL EYE
Submitter comment:
ALSO SOMEONE WITH BLUE EYES WILL NOT GET THE EVIL EYE
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Blue ; COLOR ; DEVIL ; EVIL EYE ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Emblem |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
BABY SUPERSTITION
LEAVING A BABY'S ARTICLE BEHIND IN YOUR HOST'S HOUSE MEANS THAT
THAT HOUSE WILL BE DUE TO HAVE A NEW ADDITION IN THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; CLOTHING ; OMEN ; Predictor ; PREGNANCY ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
If you sleep restlessly or are awakened in the middle of the
night, a spirit is trying to take away your soul. To get rid
of the spirit, turn your bedroom light on and off three times
and you will sleep sound the rest of the night.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Haunting ; LIGHT ; REMEDY ; SPIRIT ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
IF SOMEONE TALKS BEHIND YOUR BACK, SPIT IN
FOUR CORNERS OF A ROOM.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM A FRIEND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS COMPANY
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Corners ; CUSTOM ; GOSSIP ; Response ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; TALK
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
MY GRANDFATHER, BEFORE GETTING INTO HIS CAR, WOULD
MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; BELIEF ; BLESSING ; Car ; Cross ; CUSTOM ; RELIGION ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 10-23-1970
WHEN MY GRANDFATHER WANTED THE HIGHEST CARD IN A CUT,
HE WOULD KNOCK ON THE DECK OF CARDS THREE TIMES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CARDS ; CUSTOM ; Cut ; GAMES ; Knock ; LUCK ; NUMBER ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
IF YOU LICK YOUR THUMB BEFORE YOU MAKE A SHOT IN POOL,
IT WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK WHILE SHOOTING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Billiards ; Cue ; CUSTOM ; GAMES ; Lick ; Pool ; Stick ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO BRING GOOD LUCK TO AN ITALIAN (SICILIAN MOSTLY)
CARDPLAYER, YOU TAKE YOUR THUMB, STICK IT STRAIGHT
UP ON HIS HEAD, THEN LET IT FALL, WITH A LITTLE
FORCE AND SAY "NASPOLA!!" THIS BRINGS GOOD LUCK
SUPPOSEDLY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BLESSING ; Card ; CUSTOM ; GAME ; GESTURE ; Italian ; LUCK ; Naspolta ; SUPERSTITION ; Thumb
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CROSSING OF ANY TWO FINGERS IS A WISH FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 02-23-1971
IF YOU CROSS YOUR FINGERS, IT'S GOOD LUCK, BUT IF
YOU CROSS THE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS IT'S BAD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22 |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HOPE, ONE CROSSES THE INDEX AND
MIDDLE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS. TO GAIN ADDED
EMPHASIS, CROSS THE END TWO FINGERS ALSO.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Communication ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Hope ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
BEFORE A BASKETBALL GAME ALL THE PLAYERS ON SACRED
HEART SEMINARY'S TEAM WOULD GATHER AROUND THE COACH
AND PLACE THEIR HANDS ON TOP OF HIS AND PRAY A
HAIL MARY, AND THEN "QUEEN OF VICTORY, PRAY FOR
US." THIS WAS DONE FOR LUCK IN WINNING THE GAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Basketball ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GAME ; hail Mary ; LUCK ; Pray ; PRAYER ; Sacred Heart ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION ; Victory
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER WHEN SWIMMING, YOU SHOULD
BLESS YOURSELF WITH A SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THE
WATER, TO ENSURE A SAFE SWIM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bless ; BLESSING ; Cross ; CUSTOM ; EXERCISE ; GAME ; LUCK ; SAFETY ; Sport ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; SWIMMING ; WATER
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO SHAKE THE HAND OF A CHIMNEY SWEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Chimney ; Communication ; CUSTOM ; GREETING ; Hands ; LUCK ; Shake Hands ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 03-14-1970
WHEN A PERSON IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING IN WHICH HE
OR SHE NEEDS GOOD LUCK, THE PEOPLE WAITING FOR
THEM AND THEY THEMSELVES CROSS THEIR MIDDLE AND
FOREFINGERS FOR LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1955-1963.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
CROSSING THE MIDDLE AND FOREFINGERS IS A
SYMBOL FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CROSSING YOUR FINGERS IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
THE SAME GESTURE CAN ALSO BE USED TO ALLOW A LIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: FREMONT ; OHIO, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Lie ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN