Generic Hashing Description ...

This description will give you somewhat of an idea of what a hash is, but you have to experience one first hand to appreciate it. They are usually a lot of fun.

General Background:
There are thousands of 'Hash House Harrier' groups around the world that meet regularly and play a game called Hashing (this is not drug related :-). It all started in the late 1930s by a bunch of British folks that were living in Malaysia. These groups meet at different locations and play the game on a regular basis. Most Hashes are run hashes, but the 'Bike-o Psychos' hash on mountain bikes every other Sunday in the Orlando area.

The Game:
Kind of an adult 'Hide and Go Seek' game. One or two 'Hares' take off and start laying down a 'trail' of flour and/or toilet paper. The 'Hounds' take off about 15 minutes later and chase them down. There are a few 'extra' tricks that the hares throw in to make following the trail more interesting. These are usually explained at the beginning of each hash.

The Circle:
At the end of the Hash, everyone gets in a big circle and drinks while singing extremely crude songs. Every possible excuse is used to make members of the group get in the circle and finish their beverage (this is called a down-down).

Random Information:

Shiggy: The name for 'rough' areas of the 'trail'. I use the word trail very loosely since it is common for the hares to run through unusual terrain. Staying on a trail is too boring. It is not unusual to have to carry your bike over fences and across ditches. Bike Hashes are more civil than run hashes, but run hashes rarely use a trail. They just run randomly through the woods.

On On: What a hound yells when he is on the trail. This lets other hounds know that he has found the trail.

Looking: What a hound yells when he has lost the trail.

Which Way: Two or more arrows in chalk of which any one of the arrows could be the trail. This is a mark that the hares leave to make the trail more interesting.

Check Mark: A circle with a dot in the middle. Like a which way except that the trail will restart in 'any' direction.

YBF: "You've been FxxXed" some say the xxX is ool others have another definition :-). The trail stops and you have to go back the direction you came. Most of these have a count back number in which you count the number of flour/TP drops and you look around there for the trail.

Hash Name: Regular hashers have hash names that they use at hash events. These are usually really crude. Many times the names are shortened to something less offensive in practice. tHIS

Hash Cash: The 'Event Fee'. Usually in the $5.00-$10.00 dollar range.

Typical Length: 3-5 miles for run hashes and 10-15 miles for bike hashes.

The Crowd:
Hashers are a rather eclectic bunch. Everyone must be of legal drinking age, but that is about the only requirement. That said, the typical hasher is a professional with adult children who has a very crude sense of humor. There is a lot of variation with regards to athleticism. The nature of the game is such that the better athletes spend more time 'looking' so this keeps the group together more than you might think.

Calendar is here: http://www.floridah3.....