The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SWIRLIES

WHEN SOMEONE IN THE FRATERNITY STARTS TO ACT TOO UPPITY, IT'S HIS
BIRTHDAY, OR ELSE JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, WE GIVE HIM A "SWIRLY."
THAT IS WE PICK HIM UP, CARRY HIM INTO THE BATHROOM, PUT HIS HEAD
IN THE TOILET AND FLUSH IT. THIS REQUIRES A NUMBER OF MEN TO
DO AS THE RECIPIENT TENDS TO BE SOMEWHAT RELUCTANT TO GO
AND USUALLY PUTS UP A CONSIDERABLE STRUGGLE.
THERE IS A SONG THAT IS SUNG WHILE MOVING IN TO GRAB THE GUY: MM
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN,
ALL THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD,
BE THEY YELLOW, BLACK, OR WHITE,
THEY ARE ALL HIS IN HIS SIGHT,
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.

Submitter comment: I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS SONG BECAME CONNECTED WITH GIVING A SWIRLY,
IT'S JUST A WAY OF LETTING THE GUY KNOW WHAT WE'RE UP TO AND THAT
THERE'S NO USE IN TRYING TO GET OUT OF IT.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979