"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
Conversation 2: “The Showalter Fountain” Tracy: “I need to find some legends about this campus.” Tanya: “Tell about the legend of the mermaid in the fountain. You’ve heard the story right?” Tracy: Um, refresh my memory.” Tanya: “My friend told Continue Reading …
“I’ve got another one about the co-eds. Let me see if I can get the story right—uh, let me think…Okay—when the day comes when the first co-ed virgin graduates from this school, the fish will swim out between the legs Continue Reading …
Text 2 Informant Name: Steve Lochmann Title: The naked man Archives Code: 75/335 Instructor: Professor Stahl Semester/Year: Fall, 1978 Jim Lincoln was waiting in line while I was taking a shower. He seemed to think I was taking to long Continue Reading …
Today, people in my classes were talking about a ghost that haunts the Career Development Center. They were saying that if you basement late night you can hear him moving around upstairs. Another student then said there is a ghost Continue Reading …
Text 1 Contributor: Lindsey Hughes Informant: Joseph Turner Title: “The Fortune Cookie” Date: First Semester, 2005 “I planned a birthday dinner for my girlfriend at a Chinese Restaurant. I invited her parents to come along as well. Earlier that day, Continue Reading …
Tracy’s campus legends Conversation 1: “The Chapel” Tracy: “Hey guys, have any of you heard any IU campus legends?” Suzanne: “Um, yeah I’ve heard some but I can’t think of any right now”. Mike: “There is one about the heating Continue Reading …
Jill Siegel Narrative Jokes- Archive Collection Text 1 Original Collector: Lorna McKenzie Title: The Fads Class: F220 American Folklore Professor: Sandra K.D. Stahl Semester and Year: Fall 1981 Code: 81/62 Once a young enterprising preacher moved into a new town; Continue Reading …
Reggie’s practical jokes from the archives: Text 1 Informant Name: Butch Marino Tittle: Telephone Pranks Archives code: 77/105 Instructor: Professor Stahl Semester/Year: Fall, 1981 When it comes to practical jokes or rather, impractical jokes, my favorite is calling up people Continue Reading …
Contemporary computer lore: Text 1 Contributor: Jennifer Harber Informants: http://www.computerjokes.net/050.htm; By: Alam Saeed Title: The 12 Bugs of Christmas Semester/ Year: Fall 2005 For the first bug of Christmas, my manager said to me See if they can do it Continue Reading …
Shannon’s tailgating tips: I have found a current list of ten tailgating tips in which all “tailgaters” should follow according to http://www.tailgating.com. 1. Dress in team colors. Show your team spirit; tailgaters are always the best fans! 2. Plan your Continue Reading …