Hash Glossary

A half-minded guide to hashing terms (Sac H3 style)

Whether you’re brand new to the Hash House Harriers or you’ve been running trails for years, here’s your cheat sheet for all the weird words, calls, and inside jokes you’ll hear out on trail.

The Basics

  • Hash – A run (or walk) organized by the Hash House Harriers.

  • H3 – Short for Hash House Harriers.

  • Trail – The marked path set by the hares for the pack to follow.

  • Hares – The folks who set the trail. Sometimes sneaky, always mischievous.

  • Hounds / Pack – That’s you (and the rest of us) chasing trail.

  • G / Gispert – A.S. Gispert, the OG founder of hashing.

  • Kennel – A local chapter of the hash. Could be named after a city (Sacramento H3) or have a nickname (like Surf City H3 in Santa Cruz).

  • Hash Name – A not-so-serious nickname earned after you’ve done something “memorable.” Could be funny, embarrassing, or straight up dirty. Sometimes shortened. Example: “Bigger Better Faster Deeper” might just go by “Bigger” or “BBFD.”

  • Just – A newbie who hasn’t earned a hash name yet. (Example: “Just Amanda.”)

  • Harriette – A female hasher. But honestly, we’re all just hashers here.

Trail Talk

  • Shiggy – Anything that’s not a nice paved path: mud, brush, rivers, rocks… you get the idea.

  • Chalk Talk – The pre-trail briefing where the hare explains marks and rules.

  • Mark – A trail sign (chalk, flour, TP) that may or may not lead you the right way.

  • Check – A “choose your own adventure” point. Shout “On one!” “On two!” then “On-on!” when you find the right way.

  • A-to-A / A-to-B – Trails that end where they started (A-A) or end somewhere else (A-B).

  • Beer Near / Beer Here – BN = beer is close. BH = beer is RIGHT HERE.

  • Beer Check – Mid-trail stop for beverages. Sometimes a cooler, sometimes a bar.

  • RU? – Callout: “Are you on trail?” Answer with “On-on!” if you are.

  • On-On – The universal hasher call (and toast).

  • On-In – The final stretch of trail back to the end.

  • Circle – The closing ceremony: songs, announcements, down-downs, and heckling.

  • Down-Down – Finishing a drink in one go, often as a “penalty.”

  • FRB – Front Running Bastard. The speedy one out front.

  • DFL – Dead F***ing Last. Self-explanatory.

MisManagement

  • GM (Grand Master/Mistress/Whatever) – The poor soul who gets blamed for everything.

  • Hare Raiser – Finds hares for upcoming trails.

  • RA (Religious Advisor) – Runs circle, welcomes visitors, leads songs.

  • Hash Cash – Handles the money. Pay them.

  • Beermeister – Arguably the most important job: brings the beer.

  • Hash Flash – The one with the camera. If they didn’t snap it, it didn’t happen.

  • Habadasher – Keeper of the swag and merch.

Sac H3 Traditions

  • Red Dress Run – Everyone wears a red dress (yes, everyone). Fundraiser, party, and trail rolled into one. In the fall.

  • Green Dress Run – Same deal, but green, near St. Patrick’s Day.

  • River Float – A summer classic: floating the American River with beer and friends. Early August.

  • SLuTty Hot Tub Time Machine – A South Lake Tahoe ski and snowshoeing weekend of trails, pub crawls, and hot-tubbing. Usually March.

  • Olympdicks – Summer campout with ridiculous competitions and way too much beer. Early June.

  • World Peace Through Beer – October trail featuring beers from around the globe. Close to United Nations Day on October 24.

  • Erections – MisManagement elections (yes, the pun is intentional).

Hash Culture

  • Muggle / Civilian – Non-hashers you meet on trail.

  • Hashvangelist – A hasher who recruits muggles into the madness.

  • Autohashing – Cheating with a car. We see you.

  • Backslider – Someone who disappeared for a while but came back.

  • On-After – Post-trail hangout, usually at a bar.

  • Drinking Practice (DP) – When trail gets canceled or when we just feel like “training.”

  • Hangover Hash – Sunday trail or brunch after a big hash weekend.

  • Happi Coat – A personalized hasher jacket, often patched up.

  • Hash Necklace – Beaded necklace with your hash name. Helps people remember you.

  • The Mother Hash – The original Kuala Lumpur kennel.

  • Home Hash – The kennel you claim as your main crew.

  • Virgin – First-time hasher.

  • Visitor – A hasher dropping in from another kennel.

  • Wanker / Half-Mind – Basically… all of us.

Trail Marks

  • False Trail – A dead end meant to throw you off.

  • True Trail – The real deal.

  • Turkey / Eagle Split – Shorter, easier “turkey” option or a longer, tougher “eagle” trail.

  • Fish Hook – A trail trick that forces fast runners to double back.

  • Witchy Way – Two choices. Only one’s right.

  • Arrow – Points the way (maybe).

  • YBF – “You’ve Been F***ed.” Time to backtrack.

  • BVC – “Be Very Careful.” Usually near traffic or hazards.

  • Back Check – Go back a few marks before you can move on.

  • Boob/Package Check – Local traditions vary. Let’s just say it involves some body parts.

Other Lingo

  • Rego – Registration for a big event.

  • Hash Time – Show up whenever. The pack won’t wait, but trail marks will.

  • Interhash – Regional or continental events.

  • Pre-lay – Trail marked ahead of time.

  • Race-ist – That FRB who thinks this is a real race.

  • Hareline – The schedule of upcoming hares.

  • Trail Treasure – Random weird stuff you find on trail.