MIT slang list (1962)

[Jesse Sheidlower]

On Sun, Mar 13, 2005 at 02:11:29AM -0500, Benjamin Zimmer wrote:
>
> IHTFP - An expression of loyalty towards the Institute, meaning "Institute
> Has The Finest Professors"

Hahaha.

This one has a long association with MIT; The 2003 book _Nightwork: A
History of Hacks and Pranks at MIT_ is written by "Institute Historian
T. F. Peterson". There's also "Interesting Hacks To Fascinate People".
See also

http://www.mit.edu/people/mjbauer/ihtfp.html

, which claims 1960 for MIT use (though well-established then) and
1956 for the Air Force (is this from Heflin? I'm out of town and don't
have my books handy).

(HDAS has it to 1969 in Army use.)

Can Fred illuminate the usage?

Jesse Sheidlower
OED