Hook 'em Horns
Hook 'em Horns is the slogan and hand signal of the University of Texas at Austin.
UT students and alumni employ a greeting consisting of the phrase "Hook 'em" or "Hook 'em Horns" and also use the phrase as a parting good-bye or as the closing line in a letter or story.
The hand gesture, , is meant to appoximate the shape of the UT mascot, the Texas Longhorn steer Bevo.
The sign is made by extending the index and pinky fingers while grasping the second and third fingers with the thumb. The arm is usually extended, but the sign can also be given with the arm bent at the elbow. The sign is often seen at sporting events, during the playing of the school song The Eyes of Texas, and during the playing of the school fight song Texas Fight. It is one of the most recognized hand signals of all American universities.
History
Head cheerleader Harley Clark introduced the legendary Hook 'em Horns sign in 1955. He got the idea from colleague Henry Pitts, who had been casting shadows on the wall at the Texas Union. Clark showed an enthusiastic student body the sign a few nights later at a football pep rally at Gregory Gym. It was an instant hit — by the thousands, students extended an arm to create the now famous salute. The next day, at the Texas vs. TCU football game, Clark stood in awe as the “Hook 'em Horns” hand sign surged from one side of the stadium to the other.
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External links
Categories: Gestures | University of Texas at Austin | College football