Travelling gnome prank

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One gnome with Big Ben in London
One gnome with Big Ben in London

The travelling gnome prank is a popular method of returning a garden gnome "to the wild". It involves stealing a gnome, taking it on a trip, and photographing it at famous landmarks, with the photos being returned to the owner.

There are many clubs and organizations dedicated to the prank; the best-known of these is the Garden Gnome Liberation Front.

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[edit] Origins

The tradition was first recorded in Australia in the 1980s. Although not definitive, the following blurb appeared in the Regular Shorts feature of the Sydney Morning Herald of September 24, 1986: 'AN EASTERN suburbs gnome-owner was distressed when she discovered her gnome had been stolen at the weekend. A note was found in its place: "Dear mum, couldn't stand the solitude any longer. Gone off to see the world. Don't be worried, I'll be back soon. Love Bilbo xxx."'

[edit] References in popular culture

It was popularised by several films, including the 2001 movie Amélie, where it was featured as a subplot. As a recurring easter egg, the programmers of the 2004 simulation game Sim City 4 implemented a gnome sprite in all the game's build-able landmarks. It would reveal itself to players at random intervals during gameplay.

In the animated series Home Movies one can find a garden gnome in some form in every episode.

In 2004 it was featured in the viral marketing campaign Where is my Gnome? used by online travel agency Travelocity. Since then, the "Roaming Gnome" has become Travelocity's mascot.

It was also used in the novel 'The Windsor Knot' by Sharyn McCrumb, copyright 1991.

In the 2007 game Half-Life 2: Episode Two, an Achievement requires the player to carry a Garden Gnome throughout most of the game and place him into a rocket which in turn would launch him into space.

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