Hashing 101
What the Hell is Hashing?
Hashing began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938, when a group of British colonial officials and expatriates founded a running club called the Hash House Harriers. They named the group after their meeting place, the Selangor Club, nicknamed the “Hash House.” Hash House Harrier runs were patterned after the traditional British paper chase. A “hare” was given a head start to blaze a trail, marking his devious way with shreds of paper, all the while pursued by a shouting pack of “harriers.” Only the hare knew where he was going . . . the harriers followed his clues to stay on trail. Apart from the excitement of chasing the hare and solving the clues, reaching the end was its own reward . . . for there, thirsty harriers would find a tub of ice cold beer.
Today there are thousands of Hash House Harrier clubs in all parts of the world, with newsletters, directories, and even regional and world hashing conventions.
Hashing hasn’t strayed far from its Kuala Lumpur roots. A typical hash today is a loosely-organized group of 20-40 men and women who meet weekly or biweekly to chase the hare. We follow chalk, flour, or paper, and the trails are never boring . . . we run streets and back alleyways, but we also ford streams, climb fences, explore storm drains, and scale cliffs. And of course we drink beer!
An Incomplete Guide to Hash Terminology
FRB: front-running bastards; people who are fast
DFL: dead fucking last; people who are slow
Virgin: first time hashers
GM: grand mattress; in charge of our sorry asses
RA: religious advisor; performs weddings and leads circle
Shiggy: woods, trees, mud, etc. Hashers love shiggy
Kennel: what we call hash groups; officially we are the Syracuse On-On-Dog-A Hash House Harriers and Harriettes (SOH4)
R*cism: talking about real running events; not permitted at a hash
Hash cash: $5 collected per non-virgin runner (to cover beer costs, haberdashery, etc.)
On-After: a place to meet following the hash; usually for sustenance and more beer
Shovel of Shame: found at an early SOH4 hash; given to a hasher who is exceptionally dumb; cannot be set down at any point during the run
Accusations: things accumulated during the hash that are used to designate down-downs at circle
Down-downs: punishment for stupidity/rule breaking on trail
A Completely Incomplete Guide to Trail Marks
(will always be incomplete because you never what a hare is going to do)
- HHH (used to indicate starting point of the trail and where to congregate)
- X Check (trail goes 369degrees (anywhere) from here. Must have 5 people to start checking)
- Boob Check – only women can check for trail unless they flash
- Package Check – only men can check for trail unless they show
- O: On-1
- O O: On-2
- O O O: On-on!!! (I found true trail!)
Hash Responsibly, My Friend
- Don’t drink and drive. Cabs are cheap. DUI’s aren’t. As a group we have many couches, and most likely someone will drive you home. And if your Hash Cash was the last $5 your parents let you have, just ask a hare to borrow a few bucks.
- Look both ways when crossing the street. Seriously- most drivers aren’t expecting drunken fools to come barreling out of the woods.
- Know your limits. If you must pass out, wait ’til the On-After. Don’t get lost in the woods or a vacant apartment.
- Wrap your wiener. Beer goggles might come free with hashing, but childcare does not.
Hashing in Syracuse
Mismanagement
Your 2021 SOH4 Mismgmt…
Even a bunch of delinquents who run to find beer hidden in the woods need some fearless leaders. Our Mismanagement is responsible for general oversight, inclusion, special events, and overall making sure that everyone has an amazing time every week. If you think this sounds like something you’d like in on, let us know!
Grand Master – Lady Kale Krotch
The GM is the half-mind who runs the place.
Religious Advisor – Pastorbator, with assistance from Ass Full of White Man
The RA in each kennel is responsible for knowing all the songs, keeping track of hash lore and legend and leading circle at the conclusion of each hash.
On-Secs – Utica Chub and Pastorbator (and whoever else we rope in)
The on-secs are responsible for making sure that people sign in and are accounted for.
Hare Raiser – Ass Full of White Man
The hare raiser makes sure we have hares to set trail every week.
Web Geeks – Ass Full of White Man and Pink Penalty
In charge of internets, websites, and gigabytes. Email these guys if the site has gone bonkers or needs updating.
Hashtorian/Stats Bitch – Came With A Fake Name
The stats bitch keeps our database up to date, translates the sign-in scribbles into a sophisticated system so everyone knows how many hashes they have. The hashtorian is master of rehashes and makes sure there is an assigned rehash for each trail, and writes them herself as needed
Haberdashers – Kickstand and No Child From Behind
The haberdashers order and sell all the SOH4 swag.
Hash necklaces are given out to hashers who have been named.
Grand Master Emeritus / SOH4 Founder – Pubic Offender
PO was irresponsible for getting the SOH4 kennel restarted after a lengthy respite.
Haring Guide
Hash Stats
We keep meticulous records of who cums each SOH4 trail.