The Tattler has been in circulation since 1892. Over the summer, Tristan Engst ’17 took the time to archive every edition of the Tattler that has ever been published.
Through these copies we can look back on the history of IHS, Ithaca, and the world at large through the eyes of the generations who once roamed these halls. Not only does this archive serve as a glimpse into how students viewed the world around them, but we can observe the trends and changes of the Tattler itself over time, from special editions such as the Tattlerette (written exclusively by females) and the Pigskin edition (with a special focus on football) to a popular segment during the 1920s entitled “Tattles.” “Tattles” showcased the jokes of student contributors, which were often very cheesy or punny, in a manner similar to that of today’s Backpage; however, they were typically situated as a center spread, serving as a quick reprieve from monthly articles.
Several vintage Tattles are shown below alongside a modern-day revival.
February 1926
He: “I want you to understand that I’m not two-faced.”
She: “Certainly not, dear. If you had two, you wouldn’t wear that one.”
May 1926
“Seniors were born for great things,
Sophs were born for small,
But it is not recorded
Why Frosh were born at all.”
November 1927
Hunter: There was a lion laying in front of me—
English Prof.: “Lying,” old man, “lying.”
Hunter: Well I swear on my oath that I’m telling the truth.
April 1927
“I hear a swimmer is suing his wife.”
“I see—a bathing suit.”
December 2015
Teacher: Please return this signed permission form to school with your child tomorrow.
Concerned Parent: Please send me a list of any and all sunblocks you will be carrying with you on this outing as well as your mother’s phone number so that if the bus crashes she can call me if you call her, as well as a detailed menu including the farm where all carrots were grown and the type of cat you have in case my dear child inhales its hair off of your sweater. Regards, Mr. Blank
Teacher: I’ll go ahead and hire a lawyer.