04/06/07
Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo -
Categories: Community, Mutual Aid and Charity -
twv
@ 06:20:22 pm
I rarely join organizations. I am rarely tempted. But I almost wish I worked in the lumber or forestry industry — or in some way with wood products — to enable me to join the Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo. Established in 1892 by five businessmen stranded in Gurdon, Arkansas, this fraternal organization was designed not merely to encourage the health, wealth, and longevity of its members, but also to allow a bit of harmless fun.
With a name like The Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo,
it couldn't help but succeed.
Hoo-hoo, I learned recently, was a tuft of hair on the bald head of a friend of the founder of the order. Hoo-hoo, I had prevoiusly read, was the name members of the organziation used for all the silly medals that more enthusiastic members of such organizations wore to their meetings.
The Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo's symbol is an Egyptian black cat, tale curled to a stylized 9
. . . and because of this mascot, members often met on the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth month of the year. They can probably hardly wait for the ninth year event, in September 2009.
Yes, the order still exists. It has a website. It appears to be a not-insignificant organization. One motto associated with the group remains of some significance: Health, Happiness, and Long Life.
It is pleasant to see that the whimsical nomenclature remains, with the officers adorning names such as these:
- Snark of the Universe
- Supreme Nines
- Viceregent Snarks
Hmmm. The phrase dressed [up] to the nines
is listed as obscure of origin in my references. I wonder if its origins lie here, in the nine-obsessions of the Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo.
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