Author Archives: Anne Fitzgerald

School Sports Chant

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: Claremont, CA
Language: English

Text: “Puck Fomona”

Context: A. told me about how people at Scripps College, Harvey Mudd College, and Claremont McKenna College say this at sports games. It’s to cheer against Pomona College. It switches the first letters of “Fuck Pomona” to “Puck Fomona.” They do this so they can express the rivalry without outright profanity. A. is a part of Scripps College.

Analysis: This phrase is a competitive sports chant that reinforces healthy rivalry between Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer. It’s a unique phrase within the community as it is only used in games between the two teams, who are part of a larger school consortium of the five schools. Chanting this strengthens the CMS group identity and fosters school spirit. It lets students actively participate in traditions within the community.

Song for Sick Children

Nationality: American
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired
Residence: Seattle, WA
Language: German

German text: Armes häschen bist du krank, dass du nicht mehr huepfen kannst
English Translation: Poor bunny, you’re so sick that you can’t hop anymore

Context: This is a Swiss song that H.’s mother used to sing to her when she was sick. She still sings it today and it still comforts H. H. also sings it to her friends. She only sings one line of the song.

Analysis: This song holds personal significance for H., in that it serves as a comforting ritual. When she sings it to her friends, she continues this feeling of care and community. Hopping is a bunny’s fundamental movement, so the bunny’s loss of hopping in the song emphasizes that the bunny is sick. It suggests that this culture cares about their children and sees them as full of life. This song is a symbol of enduring love and connection.

Family Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: New York City, NY
Language: English

Text: “Finish the job”

Context: C.’s mom would often say this to her when she was growing up to encourage her and her sisters to complete what they started as it made life and other tasks easier. Her mom would also say it at work. For example, her mom would say to finish the job when putting away laundry so that you aren’t left with it and it makes it better later. C. uses this mindset in her life now and says it to herself.

Analysis: This phrase is a family proverb that has now been passed down through the generations. It reflects the family’s strong work ethic and the belief that following through on things leads to longer term ease and success. It has been adapted to various situations (work and home) while still carrying its original meaning.

Family Proverb for Stressful Situations

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: New York City, NY
Language: English

Text: “Sit down and think”

Context: C. shares how her mom often said this to guide her in stressful situations. Her mom learned it from her own father, who told her during a snowstorm when they were stuck in a car. C.’s mom also recalled it when she missed her stop on the German subway, getting separated from her friends and lost in a foreign country. Now, C. repeats it to herself in times when panic isn’t helpful, reminding her to pause and think instead.

Analysis: This is a family proverb and folk speech passed down through multiple generations now as a way to navigate stressful situations. The wisdom evolves through each lived experience, like survival knowledge. The knowledge has been helpful in many different situations.

Delta Love and Mine

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

This piece of folk speech was shared with me by S., a student in Los Angeles, CA.

Text: “DLAM”

“DLAM (Delta love and mine) to me is a phrase that reminds our Tri Delta community and our members of the love and relationships present in this sisterhood. It’s something that goes hand in hand with Tri Delta and our values, equating whatever Delta’s love is to my love. Whenever we spend time together or message each other online, we will end it with a DLAM as another way to cheer and support one another. By showing our love for this chapter and one another, we enforce the phrase Delta love and mine.”

Context: S. is a part of Tri Delta sorority at USC. This phrase is a form of in-group language in that it reinforces shared identity and among members of Tri Delta sorority and the group’s shared ideals of affection, unity, and commitment. It’s meaningful to people in the group and serves as a bond between members. It can also be used ritualistically as it continues through new generations of sorority members. When new members learn this phrase, they become a part of the group.