snipe hunts

[Arnold Zwicky]

On Sep 21, 2010, at 5:29 AM, Joel S. Berson wrote:

> At 9/21/2010 07:19 AM, Barbara Need wrote:
>> I knew about snipe hunts before I knew about snipe--and actually
>> thought that snipe were mythical beasts! I was quite surprised to find
>> otherwise.
>>
>> Barbara
>>
>> Barbara Need
>> Ithaca
>
> My summer camp of snipe-hunters was not too far away -- near
> Cooperstown.  Was there a local prominence?

coming very late to this discussion, but my relevant summer camp experience (late '40s, early '50s) in southeastern Pennsylvania also included tales of snipe hunts (and sending new boys out to find a skyhook or a left-handed monkey wrench).  so while snipe hunts might be a British joke, they certainly are an American one of some vintage.

arnold

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