OLE MISS: 'TOO MUCH CHRISTIANITY' IN CHRISTMAS
The University of Mississippi, located in the heartland of the South, in Bible-belt country, has changed the name of its annual “A Grand Old Christmas” to “Hotty Toddy Holiday” out of concern the “Christmas” reference might be seen as offensive.
The school also changed its annual Christmas tree lighting event to reference “tree lighting,” but not Christmas, the Daily Caller reported.
“We really wanted to kind of like, change the atmosphere from last year and that would explain the name change,” said Student Activities Association spokesman Kayp Maye to the Daily Mississippian. “‘Grand Ole Christmas’ was just – it connoted too much Christianity on campus and so we wanted to have a more inclusive environment for the holidays this year.”
Maye said the goal was also to attract “a more mature audience” with the newly revamped theme, which included a red, blue and silver color palette, the Daily Caller said.
The name “Hotty Toddy Holiday” is related to the “Hotty Toddy” chant used by football fans during tailgating parties. As the Daily Caller notes, the full chant is: “Hotty Toddy, gosh almighty, who the hell are we. Hey! Flim flam, bim bam, Ole Miss, by damn.”
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