The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EACH SEMESTER, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER SCHOOL STARTS,
TAU KAPPA EPSILON HAS THEIR CARNATION BALL. IT IS A
PARTY DURING WHICH BIDS ARE HANDED OUT TO PROSPECTIVE
PLEDGES. EACH BOY TO WHOM THE FRATERNITY OFFERS
A BID IS TAKEN DOWNSTAIRS ONE AT A TIME. IF HE ACCEPTS
THE BID, HE COMES UPSTAIRS WEARING A RED CARNATION IN
HIS LAPEL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT