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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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DORMITORY PRANK

OUR FAVORITE PRANK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DORMITORIES IF WE
DIDN'T LIKE SOMEONE WAS TO PENNY HIM INTO HIS ROOM. THIS WAS
ACCOMPLISHED BY TAKING THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE PENNIES, DEPENDING ON
YOUR STRENGTH AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE DOOR
AND JAM THEM INTO THE DOOR. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL THE
PERSON INSIDE SHAKES THE PENNIES LOOSE OR SOMEONE ELSE IN THE DORM
IS CALLED TO KNOCK THEM OUT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PENNYING IS DONE
LATE AT NIGHT WHILE EVERYBODY IS ASLEEP BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS TO
YOUR HEALTH IF THE PERSON OPENS HIS DOOR WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO
PENNY HIM IN. SILENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT SO YOU WON'T WAKE ANYONE UP
PENNYING SOMEONE IN IS EVEN BETTER WHEN THE PERSON YOU TRY TO GET OR
HIS ROOM-MATE HAS A CLASS AT EIGHT THE NEXT MORNING. FOR ME AND
MY FRIENDS PENNYING PEOPLE IN BECAME A SCIENCE. WE WOULD USE
THREE SETS OF FIVE PENNIES EACH. STEVE WOULD WRAP ELECTRICAL TAPE
AROUND THE PENNIES SO THEY WOULD NOT FALL APART WHILE BEING PUT IN.
WE WOULD STOP THE ELEVATOR ON THE FLOOR OF THE ROOM WE WERE PENNYING
IN SO WE COULD MAKE A QUICK ESCAPE SHOULD WE HEAR THE SOUND OF
SOMEONE WAKING UP IN THE ROOM. STEVE WOULD PLACE A PIECE OF
ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE DOOR EYEHOLE SO THE PERSON INSIDE OF THE ROOM
COULD NOT SNEAK UP AND IDENTIFY US THROUGH IT. WHILE ME, FRANK, AND
ROB APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE DOOR INWARD STEVE WOULD PLACE THE
PENNIES. ONE SET WOULD GO SIX INCHES ABOVE THE DOORKNOB, ANOTHER SI
INCHES BELOW THE DOORKNOB AND THE LAST SET WOULD GO UP HIGH. THIS I
ALL DONE IN COMPLETE SILENCE, ANY TALKING IS DONE IN THE ELEVATOR
LOBBY BEFOREHAND.

Submitter comment: THIS IS FROM WHEN I LIVED IN BURSLEY HALL ON THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN DURING THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979

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