The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DORMITORY CUSTOM

EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT IN CERTAIN DORMS, A GROUP OF GIRLS GATHER
ROUND IN A CIRCLE. THEY PASS A LIGHTED CANDLE AROUND. IF A GIRL
STOPS THE CANDLE THE FIRST TIME, IT MEANS THAT SHE HAS BEEN
LAVALIERED OVER THE WEEKEND. THE CANDLE GOES AROUND AGAIN AND IF
IT IS STOPPED, THAT GIRL HAS BEEN PINNED. THE CANDLE IS PASSED
AROUND FOR THE THIRD TIME AND WHOEVER STOPS IT THEN HAS BEEN
ENGAGED.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT A FRIEND OF HERS MENTIONED DOING THIS
EVERY SUNDAY AT HER COLLEGE IN MISSOURI.

Data entry tech comment: LAVALIERE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM

Date learned: 10-18-1971