Snipe Hunt: Difference between revisions

A common hazing ritual [[Truth in Television|in real life]], a '''Snipe Hunt''' consists of sending the [[Butt Monkey]], [[Naive Newcomer]], or a [[Bumbling Sidekick]] out on [[Impossible Task|an impossible or imaginary task]] to get them out of the way or humiliate them. Oftentimes used in comedy as a B-Plot to the main action, and a common ending involves the getter finding what they were sent out to get (even if it was say, a unicorn) or finding the wrong thing and having hilarity [[Hilarity Ensues|ensue]]. Bonus points if [[Achievements in Ignorance|the finder locates the imaginary item or accomplishes the]] [[Impossible Task]] [[Achievements in Ignorance|right away.]]

 

 

The fictional version of the snipe is often described as a rather horrific creature. Usually something akin to a werewolf, or mutant bird. Fictional snipes are usually described as being all black with glowing red eyes.

* Played with in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''. Robert Baratheon sent his hapless squires off to Ser Aron Santagar for a (non-existent) "Breastplate Stretcher" when he discovered he'd gotten too fat to fit his old armor. They hesitate, probably knowing there is no such thing, before scampering off at his insistent roaring.

** Made explicit in the [[Game of Thrones|TV series]], with Robert wondering out loud how long it'll take Lancel (his squire in the series) to figure it out.

** A variation appears in a number of Watch novels. Nobby and Colon are sent on these by Vimes to prevent them from interfering with actual police work, but often stumble upon important clues which are vital to solving a case. Also played with in that Colon occasionally sends ''himself'' on such errands, such as making sure a bridge or the opera house isn't stolen, so he doesn't have to do any real work. No major landmark has yet been stolen—except the University, but that was a student prank. This is no mean feat, seeing as how many of the city's major landmarks are less than a foot tall, courtesy of "Bloody Stupid" Johnson's bloody stupidity.

** In ''Maskerade'', Mrs. Plinge mentions how other young men pick on her son Walter, including sending him out on Snipe Hunts to the market for non-existent things, e.g. transparent paint or a packet of holes.

== Video Games ==

 

* And of course, ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' has the dreaded line ''"Thank You, Mario! But [[Your Princess Is in Another Castle|Our Princess Is In Another Castle]]"'', which while not technically a Snipe Hunt can certainly ''feel'' like one after navigating an entire castle and finding out she's not there.

* [[Heroes of Might and Magic]] 4 has a passing mention of a coming of age ritual called "Snark Hunting", which basically comes down to this. It's then subverted when it turns out the heroes' quest was not one of these.

** Durkon has technically been in a Snipe Hunt since before the start of the comic: a prophecy foretold that Durkon's return to his home would cause the destruction of the dwarven homelands. Therefore his superiors sent an unknowing Durkon to the human lands and told him not to return until they called him back. Another Oracle foretold that Durkon eventually WILL return... posthumously.

* The "hatchet joke" in ''[[Lackadaisy Cats]]''. The Savoys make Mordecai Heller {{spoiler|chop some... compromising evidence up with a hatchet.}} He is not happy when they tell him it was a joke. {{spoiler|Boss Asa Sweet later asks him if the rather OCD Mordecai put the pieces in alphabetical order. After a moment of silence, Mordecai snarks "A is for amygdala, Mr. Sweet.}}

** [http://www.nuklearpower.com/2005/04/19/episode-542-what-do-you-do-with-a-drunken-sailor/ Once], to get Fighter inside a room rather than outside, Black Mage uses an old trick: a paper with "There is a map to Swordtown on the other side of this note" on both sides. Somehow, [http://www.nuklearpower.com/2005/04/21/episode-543-no-loose-ends/ he found it].

*** Or, for some of you who won't believe it, he got into the Real Light Warriors supplies.

** Since the actual code for most batteries starts with "BA", a newer one is to send someone for a form to purchase a "Bravo-Alpha-Eleven Hundred-November" battery. (BA1100N, Balloon). The proper response if you know the joke is to ask if they want it blown up or not

*** On a related note, there is a common school prank whereby the (admittedly quite gullible) victim will be offered an invitation to join the illustrious Pen Fifteen Club. To accept, they simply have to write "PEN15" prominently on their forehead.

* A U.S.N. classic is to announce that a Sea Bat has been trapped on a weather or flight deck. Any green sailors arriving to see this rare specimen will find a group struggling to hold down a large box or basket. They are directed to get on their hands and knees, so that the edge of the box can be lifted for observation. Suffice it to say, there is a real bat involved, of the Louisville Slugger variety, applied vigorously to the victims posterior.

* To add insult to injury, when someone is sent on a Snipe Hunt in the military, everyone knows what is going on when he asks for one of the nonexistent items. The most common response it to tell him that they used to keep it here, but the moved it to "building-on-the-other-side-of-base." When he makes it all the way there, he's informed that this is a mistake, and they moved them back to the first building a month ago.

** For bridge types, asking someone to polish the "[[wikipedia:Relative bearing|Relative bearing]]"