Georgia Tech Officially Bans the Use of “Hell” and “Helluva”
The Institute has removed references to the two words from fight song, traditions
Update: T-shirts now available for purchase, click here!
Effective immediately, the Georgia Institute of Technology has banned the words “hell” and “helluva” from all official uses across campus. As part of the ban, the words will be deleted from the official fight song and replaced with appropriate language. The flags adorning the Ramblin’ Wreck will be removed and restitched with brand new phrases that are gentler and publicly acceptable. The word “hell” will no longer be written on Rat Caps.
The decision to remove the words from campus was made by the newly formed manners and behavior assessment team that specializes in identifying incorrect or inappropriate usages of slang, vernacular, and parlance — the Fellowship of Offensive Language Suppression (FoOLS).
“Our community is really going to like this,” said Remy Uval, the administrator of public discourse for FoOLS. “People love it when long held traditions are changed, and I think Georgia Tech fans will appreciate the work we’ve done.”
“We finally have a fight song with appropriate language!”
After several meetings and discussions from the FoOLS, two alternatives to “hell” and “helluva” emerged as favorites. The word “hell” will be replaced with “tarnation”, and the word “helluva” will be exchanged for “doozy.”
“’Tarnation’ is a softened form of darnation, which originates from — well, I don’t want to say,” said Synsa Shipp, a third-year etiquette studies major. Shipp represented the student body of FoOLS and was instrumental in choosing the replacement words.
“’Doozy’ is just a cool word that all my friends are using,” Shipp said. The word “doozy” may have originated in the 1920s as a slang term for the luxury car of the age — the Duesenberg.
“They were in the 20s. We are now in the 20s. ‘Doozy of an engineer.’ It just fits,” said Shipp.
The process for selecting ‘tarnation’ took much longer. The FoOLS deliberated for months before a replacement was chosen.
“We argued like heck,” said Weir Nophun, a first-year antiquated language major. “It was, ‘Consarn it’ this, and ‘Ah phooey’ that. I was thinking to myself, ‘Jeepers, we’re never going to find the right word.’ But we all agreed on ‘tarnation.’ It came together slick as a whistle after that.”
The Institute has already replaced the words in the official fight song — Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech. The Georgia Tech Glee Club has recorded a new version of the song. Here are the new lyrics with the changes in bold.
The New and Improved Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a doozy of an engineer,
A doozy, -oozy, -oozy, -oozy, -oozy of an engineer,
Like all the jolly good fellows, I drink my whiskey clear,
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a doozy of an engineer,
Oh, if I had daughter sir, I’d dress her in white and gold,
And put her on the campus, sir, to cheer the brave and bold,
And if I had a son, sir, I’ tell you what he’d do,
He would yell “To Tarnation with georgia!” like his daddy had no clue,
Oh, I wish I had a barrel of rum and sugar three thousand pounds,
A college bell to put it in and a clapper to stir it ‘round,
I’d drink to all the good fellows who come from far and near,
I’m a ramblin’ gamblin’ doozy of an engineer! Hey!
The group of FoOLS responsible for these changes believes that this will spark renewed energy around Georgia Tech’s traditions.
“We’ve already got a merchandise line ready to go,” said Uval. “We’re going to shout this message to tarnation and back!”
While Georgia Tech students, faculty, staff, and fans will be encouraged to wear the new #TTWg merchandise, there will be repercussions for attendees of events on the Flats that do not embrace the change.
Students caught using or brandishing the words “hell” or “helluva” will immediately be ineligible to take selfies with Buzz or ride in the Ramblin’ Wreck. Non-students and alumni that are guilty of using the words will be required to enroll in and pass MATH 1564, Linear Algebra with Abstract Vector Spaces.
They must receive a passing grade before eligibility is restored to attend official Georgia Tech events. Uval is excited to begin the rollout of this initiative.
“We want to hear it from everyone,” said Uval. “What’s the appropriate word? That’s right, ‘To Tarnation with georgia!’”
Credits
Writer: Kaman Itzphunee
Graphic Design: April Fuelles