One ringing
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One ringing (or one ring) is the act of calling a friend, letting the phone ring once, and hanging up. The purpose of this action is to taunt a friend. While not limited to sports, a person will usually one ring a friend when one of the friend's favorite sports teams makes a mistake. One ringing was profiled in the July 17, 2006, issue of Sports Illustrated by Rick Reilly.[1]
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[edit] History
According to the July 17, 2006, "The Life of Reilly," one ringing started in 1991 when a group of graduates from Bates College was trying to find a way to taunt each other without "piling up hernia-inducing phone bills." It is assumed that one ringing has spread by word of mouth.
For example:
It's 21st-century trash talking and with it, one can be the ringer of bad news. Say your friend is at work, minding his own business. Suddenly his phone rings once. Then again. Then again. His stomache begins to turn because he just knows something has happened to his Packers. He frantically searches the internet only to find out they just signed Kerry Collins to be their starting quarterback.
[edit] Dos and don'ts
Although each group of one ringers can set its own rules, Rick Reilly writes that a person should "adhere to the Ring's strict dos and don'ts:"
- "Don't one ring after deaths or serious injuries (unless it's Joey Porter getting shot in the butt)."
- "Do use proper ringspeak. ('I'm not looking forward to Sunday. My Colts are playing really ringy.')"
- "Don't one ring for cheesy stuff like first downs or sacks."
- "If you do a revenge ring to brag on your own team, don't let it be for something trivial."
[edit] Examples of when to one ring someone
- If your friend is a University of Tennessee fan and they lose to Vanderbilt for the first time in 30 years . . . at Neyland Stadium then dial up your buddy and let it ring one time.
- If your friend is a University of Oklahoma fan and the star quarterback that was going to put them in contention of a national championship gets busted for receiving benefits from a OK booster, then it's time to pick up the phone and give him a ring.
- If your friend likes Duke, then be ready to one ring them any time they lose or any time their future NBA bust gets a DUI just before the draft. And if your friend likes Duke AND doesn't have caller ID, feel free to one ring him several times.
- If your friend is a die-hard Houston Texans fan, first off one ring him for being a die-hard Houston Texans fan, then one ring him for passing on Reggie Bush in the draft.
- If your friend is the biggest Dallas Cowboys fan and they go out and sign Terrell Owens, then it's your duty to give him a one ring for the future disaster that will happen.
- If the fake punt of your friend's favorite team backfires, let your fingers to the walking.
- One ringing isn't for just for the sports arena, either. If you see your friend chewed out by the boss in front of everyone in the office, get everyone to send over their condolences by way of a one ring.
[edit] Variations of the one ring
Many groups try to be as creative as possible to one-up their friends. An example of this is text messaging or emailing a friend "Ring." Chris Carson, one of the founders of one ringing, sent a motorcycle helmet to a friend who is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The helmet is a direct reference to Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers quarterback who had not been wearing a helmet when he was involved in an accident. Accompanying the helmet was a note that said, "Ring!"
Other ways to one ring someone include:
- The traditional act of calling someone, letting it ring once, and hanging up.
- Send your unfortunate friend The Ring DVD.
- Go to the store, buy an actual ring for 50 cents, and send it in an envelope with no note.
[edit] References
- Rick Reilly, "With This Ring, I Bust Thy Chops," Sports Illustrated, 17 July 2006.
