A Brief History of A), 2), D).
by Aussierat on Jan 21, 2010 10:47 PM EST
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Learn your TN memes.
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The A), 2), D) listing system. A Tomahawk Nation tradition. But how did it start and what does it mean?
This subject came up in the most recent WORT (Wednesday Open Recruiting Thread, for those of you who are as confused by the word WORT as you are by the use of A. 2. D.), and has been discussed a number of times since it originated in July. It usually comes up because somebody who is relatively new gets confused as to why some of us use this system. FrankDNole appropriately explained it's use in the WORT and requested (implied request?) that someone note the original use. Ask and ye shall receive. Personally, I think this history has three components, and I'll list them as such.
A) The first instance of the A), 2), D) system at TN.
This format was used by GonzoNole in the comments section of the article "'Nole Your Enemies: South Florida Preview." This is about 30 comments down. Please note the responses by various TN members. Further into the comments, The K-Man adopted the format as well.
2) The origin.
At this point, I should add that it is indeed a reference to the movie Home Alone, where the lead character's older brother and sister, upon discovering their family left young Kevin at home alone during a trip to Paris, have the following conversation:
Megan McCallister: You're not at all worried that something might happen to Kevin?
Buzz McCallister: No, for three reasons: A. I'm not that lucky, 2. we use smoke detectors, and D. we live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen. Period.
If you want more, you'll have to watch the movie. Although I should also add that any time someone questions the use of the A), 2), D) system, I think the most appropriate response to the inquiry is another quote from the movie. But I digress.
D) The system takes hold.
Within a day of the original post, the Tomahawk Nation community embraced the system. The K-Man offered it up again the following day in a comment to the article "Progression, Stagnation, or Regression? Noles Defensive Line." The following conversation went something like this:
I hereby move that
the A) 2) D) format be made the official listing format of TN when one is preparing a 3 item list. - DKfromVA
Seconded
Make it so... -PBD
A2D it is. -FSUncensored
And there you have it. At that point, it became the official listing system of Tomahawk Nation. A), 2), D) was used four times in that comment thread, most notably by FrankDNole, who began the extended listing system where notation for each additional item beyond D) is improvised.
Now that you know the history, feel free to join in on the fun.
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Here goes
A) Thank you for the great history lesson
2) I was always scared of using aftershave after I saw that movie – fearing the sting that Kevin felt.
D) I once played on a rec league team called “The Wet Bandits”
Green) D is not true but I needed it to complete a 3 point post.
2010 AD = 1 AB for FSU
Bravo. I'd rec this, but it doesn't need to be pinned for 10 days.
I do, however think this post should be linked in the TN Welcome Guide.
Yes.
As Frank mentioned in the WORT, however,
Green)
appears to have become the unofficial official marker for the fourth item on your list. Note sure where that one was first used but it’s been around for a while.
If I may:
I contest that there is a structure beyond the third item. (Internet fight!!) Haven’t I seen many well-disciplined TN members follow this structure:
A)
2)
D)
vi)
8)
Green)
Radon) – recent addition courtesy of The K-Man?
And then I guess that Chinese symbol that Frank made appear that one day that none of us will ever be able to replicate?
Just throwing it out there. Recently I listed three items on TN, and I guess I don’t list things very often here, and I had listed them 1, 2, 3, and right before I hit “Post,” I was like, “Holy ****!” Talk about your near disasters. Who knows how long the moratorium would have lasted?
This is the Chinese number 9, 玖
玖)
All I did was copy/paste, but you are welcomed to use if you would like.
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or...
A)
2)
D)
Green)
♪)
ƒ╖)
æ¿)
"Don't flinch, let's kill a fly with an Axe."
>>>──────►
by NorFla_Nole on Jan 22, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
Nice.
Switch the eighth note with a treble clef and we’re good.
lol i think its funny you felt the need to link the treble clef
"Don't flinch, let's kill a fly with an Axe."
>>>──────►
I don't mind your symbols, but the math is all wrong
It’s got to be
A
2
D
viii
16
geometric not arithmetic progression…
Well, I think it was actually supposed to be "iv" anyway.
You guys are talking Chinese nines and treble clefs, and you lost me long before at Roman numerals.
Although I should also add that any time someone questions the use of the A), 2), D) system, I think the most appropriate response to the inquiry is another quote from the movie. But I digress.
Would “AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!” be an acceptable response?
Change is inevitable, growth is optional. You don't need to be sick to get better
acey said 10 %....too bad acey ain't in charge no more.
I think even today, if I watched that movie, I’d be able to recall almost every line.
It's pretty much up there with Holy Grail in its quotability.
The sad part about HG is that I could quote about half of it before I ever even saw the movie.
2010 ~ The Year of the Spear
I am constantly amazed at how much movie trivia our members recall. Good job.
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Thanks for doing the research Aussierat, and since you referenced my comments on the WORT, here is a copy of the relevant part of my post, along with my preferred sequence.
It started with a Home Alone reference that was quickly adopted as the preferred numbering system for TN, although strictly voluntarily. It starts with A), 2), D) then you may free style.
Mine are
A)
2)
D)
VII)
Green)
玖)
Quince)
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I feel like there should be a Kumquat in there somewhere
Or maybe a Foxtrot.
2010 ~ The Year of the Spear
Futhermore, it is now officially part of the Did You Know Guide to Better Using TN.
http://www.tomahawknation.com/2010/1/16/1254644/did-you-know-that-tomahawk-nation
This is the kind of information, suggestions, helpful hints, and ideas, that needs to be posted and that are not part of the Community Rules, nevertheless important enough for new and older members alike to be aware of, that will make for a better TN experience. If anyone ever has any other suggestions, please let me know and the guide will be updated.
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Awesome
When I saw someone question the A 2 D list the other day I remembered the motion to make it official and how I lol about that day. Nice work researching this
"No, like I said, Woo peed on my rug" - The Dude
by Surfanole on Jan 22, 2010 11:34 AM EST via mobile reply actions
FTR, not only can we credit GonzoNole with our own proprietary TN numbering system.
but he was my go to guy for the Kool-Aid man holding the remains of our opponents that I used in many of my stories.
Thank you GonzoNole
It started with the scUM game.
.
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Excellent use of the spraypaint tool
"No, like I said, Woo peed on my rug" - The Dude
by Surfanole on Jan 22, 2010 12:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We lost to all three of those teams.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life...no one gets to the Father but through Me"
Yeah, that is why he was hesitant to do the one for the Gators. I had to talk him into it.
However, I don’t believe in jinxes and we would have lost those 3 games regardless of what Gonzo had photoshopped for us, or whether or not I picked us to win those 3 games.
Now if we had only lost the 3 and not a total of 6, I would have sent him a termination letter stating his services are no longer required, at the end of the season. jk ;-)
On second thought, maybe he was not the problem, maybe it was me. Naaahhh.
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I dont either, but it was strange nontheless.
I say we do it for each game and with the warchant soundbite.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life...no one gets to the Father but through Me"
Strange to say the least! I began to fear some sort of divine retribution
I wondered if using the Kool-Aid icon was tampering with forces far more powerful than I was aware of. So I began a lengthy research project on the history of the Kool-Aid logo and was astounded at what I found. Here’s a quick summation of my research. Needless to say, the founders of the Kool-Aid company dabbled in the Occult. They used an ancient symbol found here:
Please note the symbol in column 6, second from the bottom. Apparently, he’s the ancient Egyptian god Horus, responsible for flooding the Nile every year. However, his yearly assault against the desert was his only respite from its burning heat. Over the millenia, he went mad. He was as likely to kill his devotees as save them. However, his popularity grew. After a particularly devastating Nile flood which sent the river all the way up to the door of the Pharoah’s palace, his worship was banned. So his worshipers went underground and nursed a massive grudge.
The family that founded Kool-Aid discovered this on a family outing to Egypt. What exactly happened is fuzzy but apparently they came back wanting to “flood the world with Kool-Aid” and they did. But, Horus does not give without taking. The entire family died when tasting a new formula for red Kool-Aid (bad chemical compound in the new dye). Kraft stepped in and quietly bought the company. They kept the logo because they didn’t know about it’s past. After years of a successful marketing campaign, and billions of dollars in revenue, one can only wonder what Horus will want in return. Perhaps this ties in with 2012?
In summation, my bad.
Go Noles!
by GonzoNole on Jan 23, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
lol, this post is awesome.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life...no one gets to the Father but through Me"
Gonzo, outstanding. REC.
You can tell just by his picture that the ancient Egyptian god Horus was a evil, vindictive, and sadistic god just by the expression on his face and by his mannerisms, while he carries the skull of a Egyptian slave which he uses to drink their blood. Thus the beginnings of red Kool-Aid.
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BTW Aussierat. Excellent use of the A), 2), D) format in your post about the origins of the A), 2), D).
I didn’t want you think that went unnoticed.
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The original "origin" of the line
My first post. In an interest of being thoroughly scholarly, your history should probably look back further than "Home Alone" to the original appearance of the joke. The "A, 2, D" line is actually a variant of the original line, which was uttered by Chevy Chase in "Vacation" (1983).
It’s here, at around the 7:10 mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc-i6DXP5_Y&feature=related
It is a "1, B, 3" line, which clearly plays upon the same theme of humor. The reason that you can be confident the subsequent "Home Alone" line was a variant of the one from Vacation—and not an independent inspiration—is that John Hughes wrote both screenplays.
As far as I know, Vacation came first, but other posters may have better suggestions. Perhaps you can throw in an occasional "1, B, 3" in order to spice things up.
Don’t ask how I knew. It involves a mental quotebook of ‘80’s comedies digested during a time period marred by chronic datelessness and excessive exposure to Saturday night cable.
Welcome, and NICE find!
BTW, as for your moniker: TWSS.
As a newcomer...
A) This is hilarious.
2) What a breath of fresh air to see people who struggle, simultaneously, with knowing more then they should about movie trivia and attempts to apply to everyday life.
D) I have found my new favorite website.
Welcome to TN and thanks for joining and posting.
Our Chief, FSUn, is always interested to learn how you found us.
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1) this post is hilarious
B) i assumed this was the history of the format but it’s nice to have my suspicions confirmed
3) here is an example of the severe backlash when one fails to use the official format
verde) i hope that link works, first time i tried to link something
rock) nice research, is it possible Kevin’s brother was misquoting Vacation?
by DownByTheRiverWalkinOnWater on Jan 22, 2010 8:36 PM EST reply actions
"I'm bustin', Jerry. I'm bustin!"
(The K-Man quotes Seinfeld)
Very excited to discover I’m the James Madison to Frank’s Ben Franklin and Gonzo’s John Adams.
I distinctly recall spitting out water when I saw “green” for the first time.
Radon is a fun element, no elaborate back story there.
“Fuller! Take it easy on the Pepsi!”
by The K-Man on Jan 22, 2010 11:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I see what you did there.
Radon is a fun element,
That is what makes TN so enjoyable. The topics range from our unique numbering system, to Bev’s boobs in Vacation, to fun facts about Radon. Oh yeah, and some FSU football stuff also.
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John Adams? Now that is cool
Although Thomas Jefferson wouldn’t be bad either because Tommy got a lot of strange!
Actually, considering the level of humor on this site, having made a mildly significant contribution is truly humbling. In fact, that is something I will put on my resume! I don’t think a day goes by or a post goes by that doesn’t have something that makes me laugh out loud. This group of posters is the funniest group I have ever encountered. When I saw the “I drink your milkshake!” line in another post, I knew I was home!
I’ll end by saying
“I wouldn’t let you sleep in my room if you were growing on my ass!”
Oh, and in case you were wondering what Buzz was up to…
Saw a movie last night where they sugested Jefferson had Asperger's syndrome
Was not believeing a bit due to the way TJ was able to get some strange.
Wow. Now THAT is an interesting angle
I had heard one author accuse Jefferson of “ideological promiscuity”. He was busy on all fronts
"This is really a good time."
This whole thread reminds me of another movie scene. The one in “Stand By Me” when they’re all sitting around the fire, discussing Annette Funicello’s breasts. “Yeah, Annette’s t**s are great.”
Where the "Green" came from.
I didn’t look through the comments here before, so I missed everyone wondering where “Green” was introduced to the Official TN Numbering System.
It’s my fault.
I posted some observations from the WF game, and in using the Offial TN Numbering System, I found that I had more observations than numbers. My #4 was “@”, which sadly did not catch on, but my #5 was “Green”, which seems to have stuck. This is especially strange since The K-Man was the ONLY person in that thread to comment on it, shortly before explaining his theory that Mangum missed his true life’s calling as a competitive lazer tag player (also a very good point).
Sorry to not come forward and offer this earlier.
TN
A) I have been a reader for about 2 months now.
2) I love this site.
D) This Thread pushed me in to start posting.
Green) This is the greatest history of anything ever. It’s so serious and fun at the same time.
Northwest) Go Noles!
PikevilleNole, welcome to TN. Thanks for joining and posting.
If you haven’t done so already, when you have some time you may want to check out the following links to make your visits here more enjoyable.
A) Welcome to TN Guide
2) FSU’s Recruiting Big Board
and
D) The Did You Know Guide to Better Using TN
Again welcome.
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Tempted
I am an attorney and seriously considering adding this new format to my motion practice in the future – I just have to pick the right spot:
Defendant objects to the interrogatory onfthe following grounds:
A) Vagueness;
2) Overbroad;
D) Unduly burdensome;
Green) Irrelevant; and
Omicron) Privileged
by CJS55 on Jan 29, 2010 2:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
"I just have to pick the right spot"
and the right judge I would assume.
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I hope CJS55
. . . .doesn’t stand for Corpus Juris Secundum, Vol. 55. That would be unhealthy.
And don’t forget:
VII) Premature Contention Interrogatory.
OK I think I got it
A: DAMN
2: CTC
D: “??” Damn
close no better luck next time
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
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