"Folklore of Student Life" holds the accumulated wisdom and wit of several IU undergraduate classes and of a good many IU undergraduates, all focused upon the folklore -- those shared avenues of creativity and expression -- that is part of the college experience at Indiana University. This website is a joint production of Prof John McDowell and his students in a number of undergraduate classes
You enter the laboratory and see an experiment. How will you know which class it is? If it’s green and wiggles, it’s biology. If it stinks, it’s chemistry. If it doesn’t work, it’s physics. Context: David Shay collected jokes circulating Continue Reading …
Some pledging routines, located in the Folklore Archives by Megan Colleen Hillier Text 1 Original Collector: Julie Greime Title: None Provided (possible title = Well House Scavenger Hunt) Class: F101 Semester/Year: Spring 1984 “The night I got my mom, there Continue Reading …
Text 2: “Trapped In the Closet Greek Style” Here is a link displaying an example of student folklore music distributed in the cyber realm. This musical video was made by the Gamma Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Continue Reading …
Rafael’s musical folklore Text 1: ”Unbeweavable” Here is a link displaying one example of student folklore music distributed in the cyber realm. This video was performed by the Gamma Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. It was posted Continue Reading …
Early Computer Lore (from Jennifer’s archive research): Text 1 Title: This Old Man Class: F220 Semester/ Year: Spring 1982 Contributor : Mark Vonderschmitt This machine it played one It pushed start and program run. Chorus: With a nick knack, Paddy Continue Reading …
Text 2 Original Collector: Christie C. Scheidt Title: Traditions of Pi Beta Phi Class: F101 Semester, Year: Fall, 1986 Contributor: Lindsey B At the end of the year when the seniors are leaving, after they have been inducted into alumnae Continue Reading …
Text 2 Toast from Delta Delta Delta Now we ask, O God of might Keep our crescent over bright; Help us our noble aim to keep, And bless our friendship bond so deep Context: This song emphasized that members of Continue Reading …
Greek Families: Text 1 Contributor: Megan Colleen Hillier Informant: Melissa Hudson Title: Theta Mom’s Night Semester/Year: Fall 2005 “I do believe we went on a scavenger hunt ‘cause it wasn’t like, oh let’s all sit down in the rec. room Continue Reading …
aymi’s frat songs Text 1 Original Collector: Marti Neal Title: “There are No Chi Omegas at Purdue” Year: September 24, 1968 Oh there are no Chi Omegas at Purdue Oh there are no Chi Omegas at Purdue So the Beta Continue Reading …
Text 2 Contributor: Reggie Watson Informant: Steve Head Title: The Shower Gag Semester/year: Fall, 2005 Instructor: John McDowell This next practical joke was told by my roommate Steve Head. He told it more like a story so I wasn’t able Continue Reading …