West Virginia University
11 Sep

How-How-to

Claire | September 11th, 2007 at 9:48 am

How-How – n. v. adj. [hou hou]

1. A shout of approval, agreement, favor, encouragement, or congratulation. A verbal high-five or applause. Yes! How-How to that!
2. An articulation of joy or happiness; a comfort. You make me so happy! How-How!
3. The occasional artificial “How-How” is used to stop a funny stunt gone awry. _Okay. How-How. {start a song} _

When pleased, say How-How. A How-How camp is a good camp. How-How means hail, hail.
From the Book of Woodcraft by Ernest Thompson Seton, pages
62 & 79.

Around a campfire, in an assembly, on the volleyball court, in heated debate, or in a quiet conversation; the phrase “How-How” is close to any WV 4-Her’s heart. Often slipping into real world conversation this vocal endorsement speaks volumes to a WV 4-Her and utterly confuses their friends.

How-How-to:

The Unison: The traditional simultaneous shout of all 4-Hers to show appreciation, enthusiasm, and/or approval.

The Goodwill: To show support and kindness, a polite response even if a speaker or council circle activity bombs.

The Hit & Miss: Used most often at Older Member’s Conference during controversial topics discussion. Comments do not always have universal appeal and thus are only how-how’d by those in agreement with the statement. Choose your side wisely.

The Disjointed or Pop-up: Individual How-Hows sound quickly at slightly different times creating replications of how-hows.
The Out of Place:
“Yesterday in PolySci I accidentally how-how’d this guy who said what I was thinking.”

The No-No: “Last night’s funny stunt was way over the line. They got how-how’d out.” See 3.

Interject different types of How-Hows or How-How etiquette by commenting.

1 Megan Morris | Sep 12 at 2:43 pm Reply to comment

The Awkward How How: When there’s really nothing else you can say… I.E. Someone makes a complete idiot of him/herself and you can hear the crickets.

2 Jessica | Sep 14 at 2:44 pm Reply to comment

I haven’t said it out loud in the past few years (at non 4-H stuff, anyway), but I always say it under my breath when I really agree with something.

3 Amy | Sep 14 at 2:45 pm Reply to comment

How How to Claire for reminding me that I need to say How How at random times more in my life. :) I used to catch myself doing it all the time, and in my lax 4-H exposure lately it has slipped from my normal vocabulary bank. Thanks again Claire Bear! How How!!!

4 Angie | Sep 21 at 2:04 pm Reply to comment

I attended half of a regional 4-H leader training session the other night and then had to rush off to an executive board meeting for work. After the motion for adjournment, I had to stop myself from yelling How and just mumble it under my breath.

5 Angie | Sep 21 at 2:08 pm Reply to comment

The Amen: Used in much the same way someone would use Amen during a church revival. When a moving speaker says something to which you agree and you just can’t help but give a How! How!

6 Hilary | Nov 21 at 10:23 pm Reply to comment

The echo: Used in council circle or outdoors activities. In council circle it is best to stand and shout HOW HOW! A raised fist with each How is also used in the standing position. You will shout sooo loud that you can hear the How How for a few moments after. This, in my opinion, is the greatest part of 4-H camp.

7 Ray | Dec 1 at 8:31 am Reply to comment

I said “How How” a few times in the Army as opposed to the traditional “Hooah” I found that it made it easier to adapt to such an intense environment. :)

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