Greeting your fellow Blue

Submitted by Tully Mars on

So as we are in the midst of M-OSU week, folks tend to break out their gear in support at work and around town.  It's been nice for me living in OH (Cincinnati, so it's not too bad as there is a fairly decent support for M here and a good minority of disgust for OSU since it dominates Univ. of Cincinnati) and seeing the Maize and Blue around town.

Whenever I see it, I normally throw out a "Go Blue!".  That got me thinking though if this is what others use as a standard greeting to their fellow Wolverines that they don't know or if folks have other salutations or gestures (such as 'Hail' fist pump).

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Wolverine0056

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^

Nah, I just go with "GO BLUE!"

Just don't say "GO BIG BLUE!", what the hell is that? We are not the NY Giants or U of Kentucky. Whenever I hear that from a Michigan fan, I calmly correct them and politely tell them to never say it like that again.

Joined: 08/02/2010

MGoPoints: 7773

mgokev

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^

If it were simply the Hail fist pump, that can be miscontrued as something else entirely.  That said, the only time anyone has recognized my Michigan-ness, they have thrown out a "Go Blue!" 

I think it's important in Columbus this weekend to say Go Blue! to every fellow Wolverine you see.  In hostile territory, we need to band together and support each other.  God knows we will get abused by the OSU faithful, so lets try to keep spirits high!

Joined: 06/17/2009

MGoPoints: 18955

Syyk

November 23rd, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^

The Michigan Hail gesture is pretty far removed from the Roman salute.  That being said, I'm not sure it's distinctive enough out and about for someone passing to always get the point.  We all do it, but only really during The Victors, so it might not translate.

Joined: 01/26/2009

MGoPoints: 2018

thevictors51

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^

I'm doing a CO-OP for GE in Cincinnati...I was surprised on how many U of M fans are down here and I suppose you were the one I heard shouting GO BLUE....but to answer the question I usually just use "GO BLUE"...

Joined: 02/03/2010

MGoPoints: 1086

jam706

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 AM ^

Have you ever experienced that special moment, when you see someone across a crowded room? Your eyes meet, and you've never met but you know there is a bond between you, something you both share. "Yes, I did go to the University of Michigan, and you sir, are wearing a glorious shirt"

Joined: 10/02/2009

MGoPoints: 167

CRex

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^

 

I caused my fiancee to disassociate herself with me by leading a chorus of Hail to the Victors from time to time.  My fiancee refused to be seen with me in public after a trip to Seoul where I ran into some Korean alums on the Yonsei campus and we did Hail to the Victors, It's Great To Be a Michigan Wolverine and the Go Blue chants in the middle of the plaza.  Sadly no one had a cowbell.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 9010

jam706

November 23rd, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^

A fellow alum and I teach kindergarten here in Seoul, and we're considering teaching the kids the Victors in music class. There's a talent show every month, but we're stuck with a Christmas theme for December. They are reading a story about a moose right now, so today we tried teaching them the Bullwinkle dance we used to do at Yost

Joined: 10/02/2009

MGoPoints: 167

abcdefghijklmnop

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:52 AM ^

in a state not to be named. However I ban all my students from wearing red/gray during this week (even though our school colors are red)--no red pen usage either.

I give extra recess to students who wear blue, say "Go Blue" to me in the morning, and also know what Bo's first name really is.

 

GO BLUE!!

Joined: 09/15/2010

MGoPoints: 426

michgoblue

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^

Not worthy of its own post, but it fits here:

Three weeks ago was the PSU game.  The friday before, I was sitting at my desk finishing up for the day when my wife called and uttered the three words nobody ever wants to hear during football season: "the cable's out." 

Apparently, a cable wire down the block from ours went down, taking out my cable and the cable of the house next door.  My wife called several times to get service to come out and fix it, but the earliest appointment that they had was Monday.  I was panicked.  I called Verizon back with a made up story about my son's birthday party being Saturday and a desparate need to have TV to help entertain some of the younger kids (which, in retrospect, was a pretty lame excuse - I could have come up with something more dire).  It worked, and Verizon agreed to send out a guy the next morning.

Fast forward to the next morning - the cable guy shows up and after 2 hours of work informs me that the problem isn't so easy to fix because it is a transponder box (or something like that) down the block and it would require a whole team to get it fixed.  I thanked the guy for trying and told him how bummed I was that I would have to make alternative arrangements to watch the big UM-PSU game. 

An hour later, 4 Verizon trucks pulled up to my house.  Apparently, the cable guy had called in a whole bunch of favors and gotten just about every resource at his disposal to come down to fix the problem.  After 3 hours (with 5 hours to spare for the night game), the problem was fixed.  I thanked the guy profusely and offered a generous tip (which he refused). 

Now here's the cool part of this story:  Keep in mind that this took place in NY, not Michigan.  Before he left, he went into the back of his truck and took out a Charles Woodson M jersey and said, looks like we will be watching the same thing tonight!  We Michigan fans need to stick together.  GO BLUE!

That's how you greet a Michigan fan!

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32158

Indiana Blue

November 23rd, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^

is the absolute preferred salutory greeting when seeing a fellow Michigan devotee !

While walking in the financial district of NY this summer I came upon another loyal M fan out walking his dog.  As I approached I gave the customary "Go Blue !", to which I receive a very loud "Go Blue !" with a very forceful fist / arm pump  -  one that you would normally aquaint with a TD vs. osu !   It made my day !!!

Go Blue !

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5677

Bodogblog

November 23rd, 2010 at 10:42 AM ^

I've startled people, but they shouldn't be.  You don't even really need to make eye contact.  If you're wearing your proper Michigan gear, you should expect to hear and return this phrase anywhere in the world.

Joined: 06/08/2010

MGoPoints: 26674

The Baughz

November 23rd, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^

First, I must say this a great thread. I can recall my freshmen year of college at SRU was in 2006 and we all know that the winner of THE GAME was going to the national championship. I wore Michigan gear every day to class and around campus. I was in the minority but every now and then I would see some guys sporting Wolverines gear. It was a head nod and a simple "GO BLUE"  whenever I came across a fellow Wolverine. i got an occasional "Hail Hail" but it was mostly the head nod and "GO BLUE."

Joined: 10/08/2010

MGoPoints: 31913

bluewave720

November 23rd, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^

As I was trudging about, I saw a guy walking his dog, all decked out in Michigan apparel.  I was pretty amped, but starting to feel a little woozy based on how far I had run without fluid.  Obviously, my sense of normal social interaction had evaporated.  When he glanced up at me, I yelled "Fucking GO BLUE, man!!!"

He kinda shruged and nodded his head as if he hadn't really thought about that way, but I had made a decent point.

Joined: 07/17/2009

MGoPoints: 6517

doughboy

November 23rd, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^

One of the things my Mom always did back in the 70's was to give UM alum a "thumbs-up". According to Mom, this meant "what year did you graduate from Michigan?".  I have not seen this salutation after my graduation in the 80's, but evidently, it was out there.

Joined: 10/27/2009

MGoPoints: 2154