Hook 'em Horns
Hook 'em Horns is the slogan and hand signal of the University of Texas at Austin (UT). UT students and alumni employ a greeting consisting of the phrase "Hook 'em" or "Hook 'em Horns" and also use the phrase as a parting good-bye or as the closing line in a letter or story.
The hand gesture is meant to appoximate the shape of the UT mascot, the Texas longhorn steer Bevo. The sign is made by extending the index and pinky fingers while grasping the second and third fingers with the thumb. The arm is usually extended, but the sign can also be given with the arm bent at the elbow. The sign is often seen at sporting events, during the playing of the school song The Eyes of Texas, and during the playing of the school fight song Texas Fight. It is one of the most recognized hand signals of all American universities. A variant of the Horns, formed upside down, is often used by rivals of the Longhorns and is considered insulting, especially when performed by a player or coach of the team in question (as opposed to a fan).
History
Harley Clark introduced the Hook 'em Horns sign in 1955. Clark was head cheerleader at the university, a position that was elected by the student body. "It was second only in importance to the Texas governor," he jokes.[1] Clark got the idea for the hand-sign from his colleague Henry Pitts, who had been casting shadows on the wall at the Texas Union.[2] Clark showed an enthusiastic student body the sign a few nights later at a football pep rally at Gregory Gym. According to Neal Spelce, who attended the rally when he was a student at the University, "a lot of people didn't get it right at first," said Neal Spelce, "There was a mixed reaction. Some people said, 'What the hell is this all about?' But for the majority, we were at a pep rally atmosphere, so we got with it."[3] It caught on rapidly from there. By the thousands, students extended an arm to create the now famous salute. The next day, at the Texas Longhorn vs. TCU football game, Clark stood in awe as the “Hook 'em Horns” hand sign surged from one side of the stadium to the other.
An identical hand gesture termed devil horns (or just horns) is used in black metal to denote Satanism. The coincidence has led to misunderstandings. For example, images of Jenna Bush publicly "throwing the horns" has resulted in startled reactions in Norway.
See also
- Corna - an identical gesture considered to be vulgar in Italy.
External links
- Hook 'em Horns at Texas Traditions website
- Hook'em Horns at UT sports website
- Celebration planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the Hook em Horns Sign
Notes
- ^ Proud Tradtions - Hook 'em Horns The Official Website of UT Football.
- ^ Hook 'em Horns Texas Exes - UT Alumini Association.
- ^ Clark, Noelene (October 21, 2005) 50 years of 'Hook 'em Horns'- Hand-sign creator to emcee anniversary event with other cheerleading alumni Daily Texan (the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin).
- Part 2
