Questing for Unicorns on Planet Earth and Elsewhere, since 1971
May 18, 2014 1:26 PM Subscribe
If you read to the end of Neatorama's list of 10 magical facts about unicorns, you'll see that Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has issued "unicorn questing permits" since 1971. This is true, and you can download a PDF of the license form, but take note of the regulations.
Unicorn questing was started by W.T. (Bill) Rabe, public relations man behind the Stamp Out The Beatles prank, and initiator of LSSU's annual Word Banishment (previously: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 (pre-final decision post, and final '07 list), 2008, 2009, and 2013). Because LSSU only keeps the current list of banished words, browse Archive.org for full lists from prior years.
Unicorn questing was started by W.T. (Bill) Rabe, public relations man behind the Stamp Out The Beatles prank, and initiator of LSSU's annual Word Banishment (previously: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 (pre-final decision post, and final '07 list), 2008, 2009, and 2013). Because LSSU only keeps the current list of banished words, browse Archive.org for full lists from prior years.
I'm glad that when I opened it, the (rotating) ad copy on the right side read "Impact the Real World"
posted by dismas at 1:57 PM on May 18, 2014
posted by dismas at 1:57 PM on May 18, 2014
I am pleased that the use of iambic pentameter is an approved tool in unicorn catchin'.
posted by winna at 2:20 PM on May 18, 2014
posted by winna at 2:20 PM on May 18, 2014
The topic of cryptid licenses reminds me of Swedish lake monster Storsjöodjuret which was added to the protected species list by the county authorities, only to have it removed by the central government in Stockholm a few years later, after someone applied for a permit to collect monster eggs. Bureaucrats are no fun.
burning a snowman on the first day of spring
You're supposed to blow it up, not burn it.
posted by effbot at 3:02 PM on May 18, 2014 [1 favorite]
burning a snowman on the first day of spring
You're supposed to blow it up, not burn it.
posted by effbot at 3:02 PM on May 18, 2014 [1 favorite]
My SO is from Michigan. His explanation for all this is, "Yeah, Michiganders are so isolated up there, it makes us kinda weird."
posted by chainsofreedom at 7:19 PM on May 18, 2014
posted by chainsofreedom at 7:19 PM on May 18, 2014
I got one of these permits in the early 70s. I'd just read Peter Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." I was mad for the creatures. I never could find one in the wilds south of Seattle. And I was my own bait.
posted by lhauser at 9:46 PM on May 19, 2014
posted by lhauser at 9:46 PM on May 19, 2014
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posted by jeffburdges at 1:49 PM on May 18, 2014