Talk:Streaking

History of streaking in the US

This is mostly about streaking in the US. Anyone care to discuss the history of streaking in the UK? —Ashley Y 00:28, May 27, 2004 (UTC)

I was just thinking that we probably need a List of sporting streaks or some such; as far as I know, virtually every single sport played in the UK has seen streaking at some point (from bowls to snooker, although thinking about it I don't recall one at tennis); and probably an overlap with a List of notable streaks to cover the incident when that guy streaked on the weather on This Morning. Kinitawowi 10:27, 21 October 2005 (UTC)

"When David Niven's 1974 Academy Awards brush with a streaker was voted the top Oscars moment by film fans in 2001, it might have been read as a mild indictment of the entertainment value of Oscar Night itself."

• • This line from the article has more than a bit of POV in it. Any suggestions? Tompagenet 20:58, 24 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Removed. Some guy 03:33, 1 November 2005 (UTC)

Spear tackle?

Could whoever added this term to the page, or anyone who knows what it means, provide a definition? Perhaps add to Wiktionary and link there. Googling the term turns up a number of usages, but no definition. Alternatively, perhaps the article could be changed to just say he was tackled, unless the fact that he was spear tackled is significant. Darguz Parsilvan 17:47, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

• I most certainly think it is significant enough for a mention, a spear tackle is highly dangerous form of tackling. Mathmo 19:04, 16 June 2006 (UTC)
  • OK...but what is it? That was my question. Darguz Parsilvan 13:33, 23 July 2006 (UTC)
    • In case you're still wondering four years later, it's a tackle in which the tackler launches his body through the air horizontally - like a missile or a spear - into the person being tackled. Because of the speed and force it takes to launch your body through the air, spear tackles are very hard and dangerous hits. In American football, a tackle of this type is often simply called "a spear." You can say, "He speared him." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.2.175.108 (talk) 23:18, 19 February 2010 (UTC)

Opel, not Opal

The streaker at the Academy Awards was named Robert Opel, not Opal. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.206.77.140 (talk) 18:18, 3 April 2006‎

A limit to streaking lists

This article cannot be, nor should it be, a list of every streaking incident that ever happened at any public sporting event. An example of what can be removed is an account of streaking at some high school football game. — Walloon 19:13, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

Language

Is it encyclopeic language to use the phrase: "naked except for a strategically placed tube sock"? — Damburger, 07:39, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

Yes. How else could it be put though? 212.204.254.2 21:04, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

The name was created by the semi-literate American press being unfamiliar with the verb to streak. Typical.JohnC (talk) 06:28, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

Lulu McWoosh

I have removed the apocryphal story of Lulu McWoosh:

. . .beginning in 1931 when Lulu McWoosh, a student from a nearby college, caused the celebratory Green Key Weekend to be canceled by riding a bicycle nude around the golf course before church services.[1][2]

Yes, she has long been a part of Princeton folklore, but there is no evidence that there ever was anyone with the surname "McWoosh." Not in the 1930 U.S. census, nor the 1920 U.S. census, nor in the Social Security Death Index. Even using a wildcard for the spelling "McW*sh" in the 1920 U.S. census yields only one childless couple named "McWish" in Pennsylvania. Using a wildcard for the spelling "MacW*sh" yields nobody in the 1920 or 1930 U.S. census, and no woman born after 1888 in the 1910 U.S. census. Bye-bye, Lulu. — Walloon 06:13, 22 July 2006 (UTC)

Recent rewrite

I'm sorry, I didn't manage to get to the sports section. I have undertaken an extensive rewrite in order to simplify, clarify and make more encyclopedic.

As part of all that, I removed a number of paragraphs and paragraph parts -- most often because they seemed irrelevent or like personal commentary. I include them here for posterity or something:

Though the official definition includes the words non-sexual act, many streakers, particularly men, express a desire to streak with members of the opposite sex. And many streakers, when recounting their adventures, will express a belief that their audience reacted positively to their beautiful bodies.

There are three basic types of streakers. The first type will choose a place with a large audience for their act, regardless of the risk of arrest (sometimes even intending to be remanded in police custody). The second type picks locations of medium risk, like a local park at night, where there is a risk of being seen, and many of this type try to hide or put their clothes back on if discovered. Others however say that one should just keep running and act as though it was no big deal. The third type is the naturist. Some naturist are borderline streakers in that they will get nude in areas that are not officially nudist parks. One type of naturist is the nude hiker.

Among those who post on the Internet several different types of streaks are common. One is the chore streak where the person takes his garbage out naked or performs some other necessity, usually late at night. Some brag about how visible they are when they do it, others do not actually want their neighbors to see them. Another common type of streak is the hotel streak. People, while on a trip, decide to run around nude through the halls of the hotel they are staying in, running up stairs to the next floor or even pushing the elevator button with the risk that someone will be on the elevator or that when the elevator reaches another floor someone will be waiting to get on. Some streakers will intentionally lock themselves out of the room "accidentally". Other streak types are jogging trails, day or night, trying not to be seen or being seen, running around the block at night, running through strip malls, and running through parks.

== Techniques ==

There are three ways to deal with clothing. One method is to carry your clothes with you while you streak. Many people think that this is not bold enough as you can put the "safety shorts" back on as soon as someone appears. Many streakers also get a thrill by separating themselves from their clothes. The second method is the sacrifice method where you wear something that you do not mind throwing away, discard it to strip and run to a location where you have a change of clothes hidden. The third method is the round trip where you strip, usually in a concealed area run a looping course that takes you back to your clothes.

Some controversy exist among streakers as to the wearing of shoes. Most streakers when describing their streak at a web site will apologise if they found it necessary to wear shoes, or at least make note of it. Many streakers feel that totally naked is better and should be done whenever possible. Many even frown on wearing of hats or any other accessory.

The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, has a tradition called "Naked Man."

Dialogue with a male witness, in a news interview format, was interspersed with lyrics about the exploits of a streaker. The song's catchphrase "Don't look, Ethel!" became a kitschy joke and an instantly recognized reference to streaking. The punch line is that the man's wife joins in, much to his chagrin: "Ethel, you brazen hussy!"

"Porky Pigging" is the act of driving around in an automobile nude. This distant cousin of streaking gained media attention in August, 2006 when Detroit Lions assistant coach Joe Cullen was found Porky Pigging during a traffic stop.[3]

The first campus streaking incidents were reported in the U.S. media in late 1973.

As a team sport, a streaker will enter a hidden or out-of-the-way spot, undress when and where nobody is looking, and then will surprisingly and unexpectedly dart as fast as he or she can across streets, malls, sports stadiums and lawns completely naked, or, for female streakers, at least leaving the breasts and/or pubic area exposed.

big fans of the pastime who often appear shirtless in publicity shots and at concerts. Their proclivity for exposed genitalia was publicized in their The band was perhaps inspired by alt rockers The Red Hot Chili Peppers, who sometimes played concerts wearing only strategically placed tube socks.

--Scix 04:29, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

Gallery

Why is there a user adding a "gallery" to this article? I have never seen an article with a "gsllery". Please explain before reverting this time. --Scix 01:45, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

Cultural attitudes?

I think its worth mentioning how streaking is viewed in different countries. Here in Britain, its usually seen as harmless fun, whereas in America I understand public nudity is a far more serious matter (Nipplegate). Damburger 13:39, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

Question: does anybody wonder why streaking is almost exclusively an "anglo" thing? I mean, does anybody heard of streaking in countries except UK, USA, AU? What are the psychological, psychiatrical and sociological reasons behind this purely anglo phenomenon? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.102.50.81 (talk) 06:32, 19 October 2009 (UTC)

I don't think "Streaking is an essentially Anglo-Saxon phenomenon, absent in other cultures." is correct. The photo included in the article shows a Japanese person streaking, thereby disproving the claim that streaking is ABSENT in other cultures. This is perhaps an exaggeration. Perhaps we could say "mostly absent" or something like that. I didn't want to make the change because the adjective we add should accurately depict the incidence of streaking in other cultures, and I don't have that information. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.138.148.102 (talk) 16:59, 12 October 2010 (UTC)

Contradictory chronology

Under Definitions and Etymology: "The word is recorded in its modern sense only since 1973."

Under Streaking on College Campuses: "a group of Notre Dame students sponsored a 'Streakers' Olympics' in 1972."

Dynzmoar 16:06, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

Here is a reference that probably predates the Principia date for college streaking: Carleton College, The Carletonian, January 26, 1967, "Crash Syndrome", by John Mollenkopf ("Examples of that problem are the large number of departing female students, the rise of "class spirit," low grades, "streaking," destruction, drinking, and the popularity of rock dances."). Another article in September of that year seems to indicate an established pattern of streaking, "Had the Carleton student body gone on a mass "streaking" spree, it could hardly have caused more of a furor in the public press...." Most likely, Carleton College is not where streaking got started, but I also doubt Pincipia. 75.178.183.82 04:51, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

Lack of images

The only one there is pretty crap. If you saw someone in shorts at a drinks table, could you assume they were a runner? I doubt it. 86.139.45.11 (talk) 14:37, 23 July 2008 (UTC)

Does this article really need visual aides? Children use Wikipedia too.75.35.187.143 (talk) 03:50, 20 July 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia doesn't remove illustrations solely on the grounds that some find them objectionable – please see WP:CENSOR for the policy on this. You might be interested in Help:Options to not see an image, which provides instructions for suppressing some images unsuitable for children. Adrian J. Hunter^{(talk•contribs)} 07:40, 20 July 2011 (UTC)

Question about omitted posting

A few days ago I posed an item from a book by Will Eisner about streaking ("REPANT"). It was removed. Why? Was it frivolous? I'd say the entire concept of streaking is frivolous; where does the minister's comment stand? Dougie monty (talk) 06:27, 29 December 2008 (UTC)

The quote ([4]), reverted by an anon, was hilarious and made me laugh. "Repant" is a play on "repent", and "your end is in sight" is a double entendre referring to the streaker's inevitable damnation or exposed buttocks.

But readers come to Wikipedia seeking encyclopedic information. Serious articles can be written about all kinds of topics, from unicycles to hiccups to inherently funny words. Jokes are removed as they would distract our readers and make them take longer to find what they're looking for. There are plenty of other sites hosting humour, including Uncylopedia, where you're joke might be better appreciated. Adrian J. Hunter^{(talk•contribs)} 07:03, 29 December 2008 (UTC)

Discrepancy

Why the discrepancy between the nakedness of male and female streakers? 75.118.170.35 (talk) 19:46, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

at one of the reference desks as this is a page to discuss the article, not streaking. Go to WP:Reference desk please. Thanks. dougweller (talk) 20:48, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

Exclusively heterosexual phenomenon?

It seems like streaking is a purely hetero phenomenon. Is that correct?Пипумбрик (talk) 01:30, 13 April 2009 (UTC)

No. Hanii (talk) 01:47, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

Naked Pumpkin Run

Would someone here who's more familiar with the Naked Pumpkin Run please add a section discussing that annual event? Frotz (talk) 07:54, 1 November 2009 (UTC)

All In The Family

Resolved

 – Removed. Adrian J. Hunter^{(talk•contribs)} 02:08, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

"During the fifth season (1974–75) of All in the Family, an exhibitionist streaker exposes himself to Edith and Mike at a police station as they report Archie missing. Soon after being verbally reprimanded and released, the streaker unbuttons and opens his jacket (presumably given to him by the police) in front of the two, and shouts "surprise!" The police officer immediately re-arrests him." -- That isn't streaking, that's flashing. Totally different. 207.59.211.146 (talk) 15:17, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

You're 100% correct. Feel free to remove that example. Adrian J. Hunter^{(talk•contribs)} 02:47, 31 July 2010 (UTC)

Early streaking

The was/is a streaking tradition amongst Skydivers. In my jump log book, I have a verified streak on June 22, 1968. Streaking existed previous to that. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.169.191.3 (talk) 14:08, 8 November 2011 (UTC)

Trivial examples

The article is rapidly becoming a list of random streaking incidents. Just because it was seen by a lot of people and got written up in the paper the next day doesn't mean it's notable. -Jason A. Quest (talk) 18:22, 27 January 2012 (UTC)

There's something to that. I streaked once, and I doubt the motivation is common to others generally. My motiviation was to amuse my friends, and to wake them up. Now, years later, in a different context, I've had an impulse to "wake people up" in a quasi-political sense. This article could be the topic of an entire book: why people streak, what they expect, whether they get the anticipated response. There could be scholarly research on this, but unlike the difficult history of "Maledicta", someone with an extremely neutral POV would be needed to do it justice. 76.102.1.193 (talk) 06:31, 4 August 2012 (UTC)

First Sports Streaker??

It's not the guy on April 20, 1974, for certain. I saw one myself at Openign Day in Philly at the Vet--and that was April 6, two weeks prior. But I do not have a reference--except this one....http://www.thebaseballpage.com/season/1974-philadelphia-phillies

External links modified

Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified 4 external links on Streaking. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:

• Corrected formatting/usage for http://www.wlu.edu/x52674.xml
• Corrected formatting/usage for http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000956
• Corrected formatting/usage for http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/10/29/streaker-mark-roberts-strikes-again-struts-his-stuff-at-giants/
• Corrected formatting/usage for http://www.redandblack.com/2004/03/05/1974-univ-cracks-streaking-record/

When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true or failed to let others know (documentation at {{Sourcecheck}}).

This message was posted before February 2018. After February 2018, "External links modified" talk page sections are no longer generated or monitored by InternetArchiveBot. No special action is required regarding these talk page notices, other than regular verification using the archive tool instructions below. Editors have permission to delete these "External links modified" talk page sections if they want to de-clutter talk pages, but see the RfC before doing mass systematic removals. This message is updated dynamically through the template {{source check}} (last update: 5 June 2024).

• If you have discovered URLs which were erroneously considered dead by the bot, you can report them with this tool.
• If you found an error with any archives or the URLs themselves, you can fix them with this tool.

Cheers.—^{cyberbot II}_{Talk to my owner:Online} 07:17, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

Streaking earlier than 1799?

The article may have been written from an American viewpoint but England could lay an earlier claim to the practice now called 'streaking'. I remember reading that in the 1660s Samuel Pepys wrote in his Diary of there being young men, who were called "ballers", who had naked runs in the London streets. This was after the end of the puritanical Commonwealth period when Charles II (a dissolute man himself) had been restored to the throne. I do not know where exactly it's written but someone with access to an edition of his diary might.Cloptonson (talk) 05:27, 9 April 2018 (UTC)

The Pepys quote appears to be this:

And here I first understood by their talk the meaning of the company that were lately called Ballers; Harris telling how it was by a meeting of some young blades, where he was among them, and my Lady Bennett and her ladies; and there dancing naked, and all the roguish thing in the world.

The Daily Express has it that the ballers were associates of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, and that they enjoyed attending balls and dancing naked. However, I can't find any reference to their running through the streets of London. Perhaps someone else has more information on this. - Polly Tunnel (talk) 10:52, 9 April 2018 (UTC)

References

My memory, which may have played tricks, goes back to the 1970s about the anecdote; I recall it being mentioned in a letter to my local newspaper, which led to me assuming they were in the streets of London where Pepys' life was lived out. I therefore stand a little enlightened.Cloptonson (talk) 20:40, 10 April 2018 (UTC)

UK

The article could do with more about streaking in UK football, particularly in the 1970s. Eg the iconic Twickenham streaker photograph, looking like Jesus. Ben Finn (talk) 10:26, 8 June 2018 (UTC)

The Twickenham Streaker is covered in the Rugby section of the article. It is unlikely that we can use the photograph as it is probably copyright, but it is accessible through a reference link in the text. Are there any other UK incidents we should include that you have in mind? - Polly Tunnel (talk) 14:59, 12 June 2018 (UTC)

Legal status

Illegal in Canada, if children see it, check e.g. here:

https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec256.html

...for the purpose of causing affront or alarm, the actor, having in fact attained 18 years of age, exposes the actor's genitals to another person or causes the other person to expose that person's genitals to the actor and the other person, not the actor's spouse, has not in fact attained 14 years of age. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime Zezen (talk) 09:28, 18 November 2019 (UTC)