When I first started attending Renaissance faires in 2002, I could hear lots of loud huzzahs during every joust and stage act. Now, any huzzahs seem to be rare. Whenever I belt out a huzzah after a song now, people look at me as if I know the band or work at the faire. Maybe this is only going on in the middle of the country. I haven't been to faires on either coast or way up north yet. Maybe there is just a new crowd of people attending faires now.
Huzzahs are something that set Renaissance and Medieval faires apart from other types of live entertainment. You never hear a huzzah at a football or basketball game. You never seem to hear one at a rock concert either. Golf matches are noticeably devoid of huzzahs. So are school plays.
Help me bring back this flair that contributes to making Ren faires unique. If you see a good performance, hear a great song or see a jouster separated from his horse, let out a hearty "Huzzah". You can catch the eye of the performer and get their acknowledgement.
And if you hear a huzzah at a football game this fall, you'll know you have something in common with someone else in the crowd.
Huzzah!
I agree with you, Craigmeister.
It is not heard as much in MN, either. WIRF used to acknowledge a tipper with a thunderous "Huzzah for the tipper!". Nope. Not anymore. And the pathetic, half hearted "huzzah, 20pounds for the King" at MN when paying with a $20.00 bill are not worth the effort they put into it.
However, it is a word commonly heard in our home. I say it to my kids for doing well, or finishing an arduous task, on WoW, at work, and of course, at fest.
It's expressive. It's unusual. It's festive! Say it with me...
HUZZAH!!!
Huzzah for Huzzahs!
*Huzzah For Rum!*
To get strange looks, HUZZAH at a mexican resturant. :o
I concur... and if you'd like a great humourous look at how this has spread, you should see our own BLAKDUKE chastising the crowd at a Faire for saying "hooray!" at a joust!!!
I have to agree with MG about the MN Faire. You just don't hear it all that often. Walking site all day doing security, I do hear it now and again. Mostly from the kids working at the food booths & such. Which as MG stated, is a half-hearted pathetic huzzah.
Interestingly enough, my son and I decided to walk in some of the parades with my girlfriend for the Renaissance Festival this summer and it was amazing how many times we did "Three Cheers for the Renaissance Festival" and got "HUZZAH" responses. Even when we didn't do that, now and again we would get a random "HUZZAH" from people watching the parade. Some were participants, but a good majority were paytrons (and a good portion of those with drinks in their hand and red faces! LOL)
Sean
In the CKC food workers' defense, "Huzzah! 20 pounds for the king!" is something they have to say, and my impression is that they don't like being "required" to say it. Perhaps if more of that 20 pounds went toward paying the employees they would be more excited about it.
I work at an independent food booth at MNRF and have had patrons tell me accusingly, "You're supposed to yell, '20 pounds for the king'" when they give me a 20. What I want to tell them is that at independent booths we are not required to do that, and furthermore, it is extremely annoying when people pay for a $2 bar of fudge with a 20 (we only have so much change), so there is no way I'm going to act excited about it!
Anyway, venting over. :P
I do agree, however, that in all other areas of Fest, yes, yes, bring back the Huzzah!
Maybe if we spread it to those football games...
or baseball... basketball...
oh, there you go... next time you see a MOVIE, when it ends, stand up, applaud loudly and yell "Huzzah!"
Ah that's a shame because as you said, it's a great expression at fiare. What faire are you at anyway? I hear it all the time at our faire(s). When some pours someone an ale it's "Huzzah to the ale maker!" Or when someone puts on a good show it's "Three cheers for the jugglers of fire. Hip, hip, huzzah! Hip Hip Huzzah!..." I always hear it when someone tips the ale stands or when repast is served.
Come to think of it, I also her a lot of "well met" at faire too...
Anyway, I fully ensdorse you guys bringing to back to your area. Let us know if it catches on. Huzzah!
I remember having a nice bit of banter with the ale wench over my brew order, then handing her a twenty, followed by a painful, ear-splitting "HUZZAH 20 POUNDS FOR..."
Now I make a point of avoiding larger bills at the beverage booth...wonder what they'd do if I handed over a "Franklin"?
I'm good with "HUZZAH", just not at point-blank range. ;D
Last Sunday my family was visiting a church in Salina, Kansas. At one point the preacher said that he'd like to hear something other than "Amen" at the end of the community prayer. So, we all shouted in unison "Huzzah!" We drew a lot of odd looks from other church members but we also got a big grin from the preacher!
I shout....
HUZZIZZLE MAH NIZZLE!!!
....um, I live near the ghetto...
never hear Huzzah at sporting events... *shakes head*
clearly you've never been to a sporting event I've attended. Or any other event where cheering is expected. "Huzzah" has replaced "hooray" in my vocabulary.
:)
Quote from: blue66669 on July 16, 2008, 12:58:46 PM
I shout....
HUZZIZZLE MAH NIZZLE!!!
....um, I live near the ghetto...
Snoop Dog goes to the faire? :)
HUZZAH is heard where ever I am at. If I hear Hooray then there are many choice words to be spoken and we can play on that for a 1/2 hour if we have time. Curiously in the original POTC you can hear a huzzah or two and in the Patriot you hear both HUZZAH and HOORAY. It would be interesting to try and find out when the nomenclature changed from one to the other.
Quote from: Valiss on July 16, 2008, 01:05:48 PM
Quote from: blue66669 on July 16, 2008, 12:58:46 PM
I shout....
HUZZIZZLE MAH NIZZLE!!!
....um, I live near the ghetto...
Snoop Dog goes to the faire? :)
Fo shizzle!!
As an Ale Wench at MNRF, whenever we are asked why we don't say "Huzzah, 20 pounds for the king!" I kindly tell them, "Because we are volunteers, these are pounds for the peasants!" We also don't Huzzah for tips, but most of the beer booths have bells, my pub has a gong and we used to use our jingly bits for tip bells. I think I would go insane if I had to yell Huzzah every time I was paid in a $20!!!
Quote from: Whistler Fred on July 16, 2008, 12:53:14 PM
Last Sunday my family was visiting a church in Salina, Kansas. At one point the preacher said that he'd like to hear something other than "Amen" at the end of the community prayer. So, we all shouted in unison "Huzzah!" We drew a lot of odd looks from other church members but we also got a big grin from the preacher!
This...is....AWESOME!
Quote from: Valiss on July 16, 2008, 10:26:01 AM
Ah that's a shame because as you said, it's a great expression at fiare. What faire are you at anyway? I hear it all the time at our faire(s). When some pours someone an ale it's "Huzzah to the ale maker!" Or when someone puts on a good show it's "Three cheers for the jugglers of fire. Hip, hip, huzzah! Hip Hip Huzzah!..." I always hear it when someone tips the ale stands or when repast is served.
Come to think of it, I also her a lot of "well met" at faire too...
Anyway, I fully ensdorse you guys bringing to back to your area. Let us know if it catches on. Huzzah!
I usually go to the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. I also frequent the Norman Medieval Faire. Huzzahs were rare at Joplin's Renaissance Festival this spring too. The only time I hear many huzzahs is when the wenches are trying to hype the crowds up at the jousts.
I've noticed a lack luster attempt at HUZZAH's at CoRF. Once in a while some of the girls will keep yelling at those they work at to say HUZZAH because they got a tip. If we notice staff that doesn't say HUZZAH, we don't tip them. If you want that tip you must YELL out HUZZAH TO THE TIPPER!
Quote from: Craigmeister on July 16, 2008, 04:19:53 PM
Quote from: Valiss on July 16, 2008, 10:26:01 AM
Ah that's a shame because as you said, it's a great expression at fiare. What faire are you at anyway? I hear it all the time at our faire(s). When some pours someone an ale it's "Huzzah to the ale maker!" Or when someone puts on a good show it's "Three cheers for the jugglers of fire. Hip, hip, huzzah! Hip Hip Huzzah!..." I always hear it when someone tips the ale stands or when repast is served.
Come to think of it, I also her a lot of "well met" at faire too...
Anyway, I fully ensdorse you guys bringing to back to your area. Let us know if it catches on. Huzzah!
I usually go to the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. I also frequent the Norman Medieval Faire. Huzzahs were rare at Joplin's Renaissance Festival this spring too. The only time I hear many huzzahs is when the wenches are trying to hype the crowds up at the jousts.
How interesting. Perhaps the prevalence of the Huzzah is a West Coast thing? I must hear/say it 100 times a day at faire.
It's not soo much not said, as I think it is said too much in an overzealous tone. The drink girls yelling "HUZZAH FOR THE TIPPER" is always appreciated, but to hear the drunken throngs just tossing the word about willy-nilly, well, that's just plain silly :)
Quote from: Valiss on July 16, 2008, 05:03:35 PM
How interesting. Perhaps the prevalence of the Huzzah is a West Coast thing? I must hear/say it 100 times a day at faire.
hmm. ive heard it yelled almost nonstop at nyrf. *shrug*
We went to the local 'Irish Pub' about a week ago and there was a duet playing lots of Irish jigs and so forth as well as 'dane songs, done Jig-style). During applause, I was suprised at how many "Huzzahs" I heard. As far as Faire (MiRF), it seems to me we hear them a lot, so I'm not sure of the "Hooray Sickness" has crept in just yet.
I can't help it! Huzzah just comes out naturally when I am at any event!
Huzzah is a very common word in my house as well as around my fellow rennies. As for MiRF it is a common occurrence. It's a shame that huzzah is not heard as much in other places. It's up to us rennies to ensure it comes back to the faires.
I say huzzah and people just stare. I agree, bring the Huzzah back!
Hip hip...HUZZAH!
Hip hip...HUZZAH!
Yep, "Huzzah" has pretty much become my positive expression of choice. Don't know how many times it slips out in the mundane world. At faire, it's almost the only way I can commend a performer - my hands are usually full with my mug or my longbow, or both. So my repsonse to anything good is usually, 'HUZZAH!"
Have not heard the "20 pounds for the King" here in TX, but I have heard "Huzzah to the tipper!" several times.
The joust heralds seem to always get the crowds to yell or chant silly things, but I'm more prone to yell something like, "Huzzah, Sir. William! A good hit!"
The Scarborough Royal Guard nave no qualms about cheering in mew GITS or promoted officers with rousing, 'Hip, Hip, HUZZAH!"s.
I'd say "Huzzah" is doing pretty well at my faires. HUZZAH!!
Everyone here at work is used to my HUZZAH's already. It's almost common for me to yell HUZZAH from my office at least 4 times a day. I'll convert them all, one cubicle at a time...
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/LittleCasino/Smileys/huzzah.png)
Quote from: blue66669 on July 23, 2008, 08:24:43 AM
I'll convert them all, one cubicle at a time...
You're mission is progressing nicely M'Lady. Soon, very soon.. we shall have them all under our control. ... MWUHAHAHAHA.
I plan on having an entire marching band chanting it at the end of next week. I like to dream big. That way when football season rolls around people will be hearing it at the games. Oh I'm so excited for faire!
Quote from: blue66669 on July 23, 2008, 08:24:43 AM
Everyone here at work is used to my HUZZAH's already. It's almost common for me to yell HUZZAH from my office at least 4 times a day. I'll convert them all, one cubicle at a time...
I am now on a quest to bring HUZZAH to my office as well! Thank you Blue!
:)
I think part of it is us jaded old farts at older fairs are more inclined to say
"Ha - F***ing - za" ::)
Quote from: Sir William Marcus on July 23, 2008, 12:17:11 PM
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/LittleCasino/Smileys/huzzah.png)
I like it! Well met!
"Huzzah!" Yes, let's bring it back. I've been to a few concerts and watched a few sportign events in some bars this year and attended a rodeo and Monster Truck show at a county fair. And I was yellin Huzzah when I felt something warranted it. It's sort of like a word for approval. Yeah, can always be misconstrued as sarcasm, and yes or no don't really capture the excitement, but yea or nay are cool. and can't be misconstued as anything else. So I say bring back Huzzah! And especially if your a faire goer you knwo what it means so there's no embarassment when used, now your friedns and the people around you may look at you funny, but oh well. I look at it as evryone has their own way of cheering and this is just our way.