Tradition: In an attempt to protect our Hashing politicians, lawyers, doctors, public servants and other people that may have a position in life that would frown upon Hashing, the Harriers have aliases, usually of debaucherous or humorous nature.

After hashing with a kennel for a undetermined amount of time (this can occur either because a hasher has run a certain number of trails, because a hasher does something particularly stupid at a hash, or because certain damning information about a hasher comes to light), it eventually becomes time for fellow hashers to come up with a name for their newer members. This can occur at somebody’s first hash if they do something particularly memorable, or the process can take years if they’re boring and keep to themselves (if you are an unnamed hasher and you are reading this, it is probably in your best interest to do something stupid and get a name with a story behind it over making us pour over every little detail in your life for a name that you’ll probably hate anyway).

At this time, a hasher is called into the circle and the other members are given the opportunity to ask questions. After the inquisition, a single hasher takes the hasher who is up for naming away (usually somewhere out of earshot) and names are recommended. Once a few names have been suggested, names are paired against each other and the hash votes on which name gets to proceed – this is continued until there is only a single name left, and the hash is then given the option of accepting the name or shelving the naming process for later.

Occasionally an impromptu naming takes place, where an RA or GM suggests a name and the immediate hashers are given an option of weighing in on the name, if there are no strong objections, the hasher is named on the spot without all that needless democratic bullshit.

After a name has been chosen, the hasher is brought back into the circle, given a full beer, and made to sit on his knees. Several of the unused naming options are read off, before it is stated “Henceforth and forever more __________ shall be your home hash and you shall be named _________.” At which point the newly named hasher is baptized in beer by the circle and made to drink their full cup of beer without use of their hands while the following song is sung:

Melody – Itself

Here’s to _________,
He’s true blue,
He’s a hasher through and through,

He’s a piss-pot,
So they say,

Tried to go to heaven,
But he went the other way.

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Tradition: As a way to show respect for the hash, all hashers are required to remove their headgear (anything worn on one’s cranium) while consuming their beer during a down-down so that upon finishing their beer they might pour whatever is left in their cup over their head and not onto their hat. If one does not remove their headgear, the rest of the circle will then point this fact out to the accused and they are required to do another down-down for their crimes. An RA may exempt a hasher from this punishment if the RA determines that what they are wearing does not qualify as “headgear,” so if a perennial violator agrees to some other form of punishment (often in the form of doing two down-downs initially instead of just one). A hasher should especially be on the lookout for this when drinking in groups, as it can often result in the entire party having to drink again.

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Hash Lingo............

 

R U?

Calling out “R U?” is done to inquire whether or not that particular person is on true trail or not. Used frequently when one encounters a split or a check, and less frequently if one sees a hasher running in an opposite direction than trail is marked. This is also used as a way to distinguish a hasher from a non-hasher at non-sanctioned events.

On-On

Calling out “On-On” is traditionally done whenever a hasher encounters a mark or has found true trail. While out on trail hashers can sometimes substitute whistles and other noise-making devices for calling out “On-On” – using a whistle is especially helpful in urban areas that have lots of ambient noise, making yelling less effective.

Variation: After a check hasher usually call out “On-___” where the number of marks they’ve discovered after the check is placed in the blank.

Checking

A common response to “R U?” that indicates that the particular hasher has not yet discovered the direction that true trail goes – follow after any hasher who responds with this at your own risk.

FRB & FBI

Every hash has that special kind of asshole – somebody who treats hashing as their own personal training run and is out to beat all other hashers to the beer. These people can either be an Front Running Bastard or an First Bitch In, depending on their gender. These hashers should be shamed during circle.

DFL

And for every FRB and FBI there must be a DFL somebody who despite their best efforts was the very last person to find the beer and is therefore Dead Fucking Last. These hashers should also be recognized in circle, though it is up to you if their down-down is for honor or for shame.

NRB

And then you have people who make absolutely no effort to even go out on trail and instead either show up at the on-after to mooch our beers or stay at the bar and drink while everyone else is out having a good time. These are the Non-Running Bastards. Whether this special breed of asshole gets a down-down in circle is up to the RA.