For The Love Of…What? by Artemis Crow

Today is “Yell “Fudge” at the Cobras in North America Day”. Yep, you heard me. What you didn’t hear is me saying, “What the whatity-what-what?” So let’s find out what this day means.

I did a search for that name and found articles describing this, well let’s just say unique day of observation. First up is a snippet from a Daily Beast article by Sara Reistad-Long. In it she writes, “Since the early 1990s, this day has encouraged participants to chase away cobras with allusions to fudge, which is believed to make them gag. Each year, Chase’s Calendar receives numerous letters confirming the effectiveness of this technique (no cobras were sighted following a yelling episode).”

Okay, so cobras aren’t a fan of chocolate. Most definitely bizarre and a revulsion I don’t share…meaning, send me fudge! How about a little more explanation?

Here’s more from the nonstopcelebrations.com page: “It’s another light-hearted day from Tom and Ruth Roy of Wellcat. The couple has contributed dozens of holidays to Chase’s Calendar of Events. Many are animal related. Most are silly. They’re intended to make you smile. To brighten your day. To encourage you to take yourself and life a little less seriously. Because who on earth can be serious while yelling fudge out their front door … To keep cobras away!?

The article then moves onto this age-old question: Are There Cobras in North America? “There are no true cobras in North America (so yelling “fudge” must work!). But there is a relative of the cobra, the eastern coral snake. This snake’s scientific name is Micrurus fulvius, and it’s a member of the same species (Elapidae) as the true cobras. The coral snake lives in the southeastern United States. It’s also found in parts of Cuba. Apparently the coral snake isn’t disgusted by fudge.” (Yes, I’m borrowing heavily from this article, but I couldn’t leave you hanging.)

So how do you celebrate “Yell “Fudge” at the Cobras in North America Day?” According to the day’s official page, you’re supposed to go outside at noon local time and yell “fudge.” With four different time zones, there will be a wave of people yelling fudge across the U.S., from east to west.

Of course, “wave” is probably an overstatement. We’ve never seen anyone celebrate this day this way (or any way). And we’re skeptical of how many do. But feel free! We doubt we could do it with a straight face. We can’t help thinking, though, if cobras hate fudge so much, wouldn’t actual fudge do more to keep them away? So we’re thinking that eating fudge could be another way to go.

Or make some fudge. Dig out your favorite recipe, or try one of these:

Chocolate Fudge, from Alton Brown. Alton’s recipes are usually fantastic!Easy Fudge Recipe. This basic recipe includes the option of adding walnuts or crushed peppermints, so you can easily change up your fudge flavor.Penuche Fudge. No chocolate in this one.Candy-Licious Fudge. Uses English toffee bits.Cranberry Nut Fudge. Dried cranberries, pecans and chocolate in one creamy square? Sold!

Then yell “fudge!” before devouring your fudge.

Yum.”

Checkiday.com offers a slightly different variation on the celebration way to celebrate—directional yelling. Go outside at noon on June 2nd, face south, and yell “Fudge!” The cobras hear you yell, smell fudge, and off they go.

There you go, you have your fudge marching orders for today! I hope you’ve had a giggle and feel free to indulge your cravings for sweet, thick, yummy, cobra-repellent! Fudgers, assemble!!!

May Your Words Flow Freely,

Artemis

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