Skippy List
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The Skippy List (also known as Skippy's List) is a humorous list created by Jonathan Schwarz. The Skippy List contains 213 things that Schwarz, while serving as a Specialist (rank) in Bosnia, supposedly discovered he was not allowed to do. Schwarz gives the following explanation on the Skippy List's website:
Explanations of these events:a) I did myself, and either got in trouble or commended. (I had a Major shake my hand for the piss bottle thing, for instance.) b) I witnessed another soldier do it. (Like the Sergeant we had, that basically went insane, and crucified some dead mice.) c) Was spontaneously informed I was not allowed to do. (Like start a porn studio.) d) Was the result of a clarification of the above. (“What about especially patriotic porn?”) e) I was just minding my own business, when something happened. (“Schwarz…what is *that*?” said the Sgt, as he pointed to the back of my car? “Um….a rubber sheep…I can explain why that’s there….”)[1]
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[edit] The History of the Skippy List
According to Schwarz's website, he began ending his emails with various humorous things he was no longer allowed to do[3]. A friend of Schwarz assembled these into a list entitled "The 101 Things Skippy Can't Do." However, at this time, the list only contained 30 items. Then-Specialist Schwarz continued to add to the list for several years. "Some time after 9/11"[2] another friend of Schwarz posted the list online. Eventually Schwarz decided to end the website. A few months later he was contacted by a journalist. This led Schwarz to research his own cult following. Schwarz decided to put the website back up on its own page, along with his blog and several new projects Schwarz was now working on. [4]
[edit] Urban Myths Related to the Skippy List
Many internet rumors spread regarding the Skippy List. For a while, it was incorrectly believed that Specialist Schwarz was female. Additionally, rumors circulated that Schwarz was an NCO (Non-commissioned officer) or Officer (armed forces), while in fact he held the rank of E-4 (Specialist (rank)). Additionally, Schwarz rebukes critics who claim that he made up the entire list, insisting that
every thing on this list is something that I personally was instructed not to do, or I witnessed another soldier receive instructions about
However, Schwarz does not claim to have done everything on the list and stresses that certain items were only discussed. [5]
[edit] The Skippy List in Popular Culture
The Skippy List has been called "the definitive guide to subversive Army humor" [6]. Additionally, several military humor websites link to it, including StrategyPage.com[7]. It is widely known in the US Military.
Additionally, it has inspired an increasing number of "Things I am not Allowed to Do" lists, usually related to popular TV shows or movies, such as "Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do Aboard The Battlestar Galactica"[8].
[edit] References
- ^ SKIPPY’S LIST: The 213 Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do In The U.S. Army » Skippy’s List: The 213 things Skippy is no longer allowed to do in the U.S. Army
- ^ SKIPPY’S LIST: The 213 Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do In The U.S. Army » Skippy’s List: The 213 things Skippy is no longer allowed to do in the U.S. Army
- ^ SKIPPY’S LIST: The 213 Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do In The U.S. Army » About Skippy
- ^ SKIPPY’S LIST: The 213 Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do In The U.S. Army » About Skippy
- ^ SKIPPY’S LIST: The 213 Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do In The U.S. Army » About Skippy
- ^ SKIPPY’S LIST: The 213 Things Skippy Is No Longer Allowed To Do In The U.S. Army » About Skippy
- ^ Military Jokes Military Humor
- ^ [1]
