Author Archives: nehashar

Origami Fortune Tellers

Text: A folk object (product and/or process) that you learned to make in elementary school

 – Origami fortune tellers

Informant: RM

Ethnicity: Indian

Primary Language: English

Age: 20

Residence: Cupertino

Context: 

The informant says that when she was in elementary school, she learned how to make origami fortune tellers from her friends (and in turn taught the process to others). These fortune tellers were often used in school to predict outcomes for a variety of things, including forecasts for the day, successfully talking to a crush, and the courses of friendships.

Analysis:

The widespread creation of origami fortune tellers by elementary schoolers reflects a convergence of cultural and social factors. Since the craft of origami originated in Japan and spread to China, it is worth noting that the informant went to a primarily Asian elementary school which, in turn, may have had an influence on their popularity. As a result, spreading the craft of making fortune tellers is a sort of cultural transmission, passing along preexisting folklore from a larger cultural group along to a new one consisting of children in the same age range. It can also be interpreted as a reflection of children’s desire to seize control of their lives in some way, as children do not have the same independence and agency as an adult; this can still resonate with adults who remember the craft, serving as a source of nostalgia (and many of them still take it up). Furthermore, the fortune tellers provide an avenue for creativity and imagination to shine through social interactions. 

Noes Goes

Text: A “catch” (a traditional trick or prank) – “Noes Goes”

Informant: NK

Ethnicity: Indian

Primary Language: English

Age: 21

Residence: New York

Context: According to the informant, “Nose Goes” is a common trick where people touch a finger to their nose in a group setting until everyone catches on and does it. The last one to realize has to do the rest of the group a favor. As such, the trick is generally used to determine who is doing a task that no one in the group wants to do (such as taking out the trash, or who’s making dinner). 

Analysis: 

As a prank, “Nose Goes” is an example of decision-making folklore within social groups. It can be difficult to make decisions in group settings because of differences in opinion. Nose Goes provides a fair method to determine who will take responsibility for the undesirable task. Nose Goes is also a trick I have seen used from people of many different backgrounds, including those from different coasts and countries. The widespread adoption amongst younger generations suggests shared cultural acceptance of the prank; it is our version of “drawing the short end of the stick/straw.” This phenomena has clearly been going on for thousands of years, and I think that it is a reflection of groups aiming to keep their social hierarchies intact, minimizing conflict through a playful luck of the draw. 

You’re milloneion

Text: A “rebus” (visual puzzle) – “You’re milloneion”

Informant: NS

Ethnicity: Indian

Primary Language: English

Age: 26

Residence: San Francisco

Context: MILLONEION is a visual puzzle that can be interpreted as “one in a million.” (It’s the word “million,” with “one” interjected into the middle of it). The informant said that the phrase was popular when he was in middle school, and was used as a way to show affection between friends and peers. 

Analysis:

The informant is male, and primarily interacted with other male friends and peers at a time when toxic masculinity was very prevalent, contributed to by middle school environments and the pressure to fit in. Toxic masculinity is defined as a set of attitudes and behaviors associated with societal stereotypes and expectations of men that have had a negative impact on men and general society; a key aspect of this social concept revolves around men not showing any outward affection or “softness,” especially in the presence of other men. In my opinion, using the phrase “you’re milloneion” was a fun, subtle way for the informant and his friends to show affection and express gratitude and appreciation for their friendships without being too overt about it, essentially finding a workaround for toxic masculinity norms.

YOLO

Text: A proverb that postdates the internet – “YOLO”

Informant: NS

Ethnicity: Indian

Primary Language: English

Age: 26

Residence: San Francisco

Context:

The phrase “YOLO” became popularized when the informant was in high school (around 2012) after it became mainstream through rap lyrics and culture. YOLO is an acronym for “you only live once,” and became an important personal mantra for the informant and his group of friends.

Analysis:

“YOLO” embodies a cultural ideology that values taking risks with the intent of living life to the fullest. Popularized by rap lyrics and further pushed through digital culture and social media, I believe that the phrase is an embodiment of youth attitudes towards life at the time, placing emphasis on optimistic nihilism. This piece of folklore also reflects a shift in societal outlooks on mortality. Past generations generally worked towards long-term goals. However, newer generations, starting with millennials, have adopted approaches to life that prioritize instant gratification more often. Furthermore, in the digital era, because platforms aimed towards younger generations (such as Tiktok) provide endless sources of this across a user base of millions, the internet has become a critical factor in youth culture. As a result, YOLO can be seen as a landmark for generational identity that represents an overarching anthropological shift in social behaviors and culture. 

HAGS

Text: Something traditional you write or draw in a yearbook – “HAGS”

Informant: SK

Ethnicity: Indian

Primary Language: English

Age: 26

Residence: San Francisco

Context: 

The phrase “HAGS” started being written in yearbooks when the informant was in elementary school and was commonly used until she graduated high school. It stands for “Have a Great Summer.” The informant recalled being confused when she first saw it, interpreting it literally until she questioned the friend who wrote it about the “insult” and was informed that it was actually an acronym with a positive message.

Analysis: 

HAGS is a phrase that marks the transition from the school year to summer break. The word “hag” has negative connotations, being defined as a witch or ugly old woman; the phrase is therefore mischievous in nature, a gag joke meant to trick those who are unfamiliar with the acronym to interpret well-wishes as an insult. This reflects the shift in peer dynamics amongst children during the school year, which reflects a more serious and formal environment, to the summertime, which is more relaxed. Furthermore, social dynamics amongst children, who are still learning to process their emotions, often comes with well-meaning (sometimes mean) pranks and banter. Groups of children who know what the acronym stood for vs. those who do not create an inside joke, and the feeling of being “in on it” is often irresistible to young minds. Eventually, once the phrase became widespread enough, it became the embodiment of the yearly ritual of signing yearbooks, integrating itself into the “folklore” of primary education.