# Old timey 'lodges' **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 6, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623 "2012-01-06T14:49:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/41 "2012-01-07T10:32:39Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > In the earlier thread, **silenius** made a comment that the VFW wasn’t recognizing current conflict vets. He was misinformed… They do have requirements that ask you to prove you’ve served overseas (or were afloat in hostile waters) but they are recognizing OEF/OIF/OND veterans. > > Tripler > They’re actively recruiting too… All true. I’m a VFW member and had to provide documentation (DD-214) when I joined back in the late 80s that I served during a conflict. It wasn’t much of a conflict (nothing you’ve ever read about in the papers), but it was enough. And we ARE recruiting. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/42 "2012-01-07T12:02:40Z")
What–if anything–is the relationship between the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose? All I get from Wikipedia (and the Moose’s own website) is that the Moose were founded 20 years after the Elks. Was there some kind of schism; or were the Moose modelled on (or intended to spoof) the Elks? Or was it just some kind of wacky coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![YoDoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e68b1a/32.png) [@YoDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoDoc)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/43 "2012-01-07T12:05:59Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > What–if anything–is the relationship between the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose? All I get from Wikipedia (and the Moose’s own website) is that the Moose were founded 20 years after the Elks. Was there some kind of schism; or were the Moose modelled on (or intended to spoof) the Elks? Or was it just some kind of wacky coincidence? A moose is also called a Eurasian Elk, right? ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/44 "2012-01-07T12:19:04Z")
What do women join? The Junior Leauge or something? ---
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/45 "2012-01-07T12:25:47Z")
> [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > What do women join? The Junior Leauge or something? When it comes to the Masons, the women’s “auxiliary” is called the Eastern Star. I can’t speak for the others except the VFW, where women can join just like the menfolk. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/46 "2012-01-07T15:26:45Z")
I bartend at the local Masonic Temple, so, at least where I live, drinking is permitted for Masons. I also temple sit, as it were. There is a resident couple, so the Mason’s can have 24/7 access. And when they both have to leave, I go and sit, read, and let in people who come to the door. It’s an extremely interesting building, with 2 temple rooms, used by 2 different lodges, library etc. It’s kind of a cool part time job, and it’s less than 1/2 a block from my house. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/47 "2012-01-07T16:04:28Z")
My grandfather was a past Grand Exalted Ruler of his Elks lodge in Sacramento. There were some members at his funeral, and he even got his portrait painted at the time. I think I may even have a couple pins or insignia, once I sort through everything in my mom’s estate. > [@elbows](#): > > I also temple sit, as it were. There is a resident couple, so the Mason’s can have 24/7 access. And when they both have to leave, I go and sit, read, and let in people who come to the door. It’s an extremely interesting building, with 2 temple rooms, used by 2 different lodges, library etc. A friend of mine took me through the old Knights of Pythias building in my hometown. Fascinating place. There’s a huge meeting/ball/performance/ritual room on the top floor, complete with an organ and a carbon-arc projector of some kind. He’s planning a party there for the end date of the Mayan calendar. I have a year to try and find proper white tie. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/48 "2012-01-07T16:12:44Z")
> [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](#): > > All true. I’m a VFW member and had to provide documentation (DD-214) when I joined back in the late 80s that I served during a conflict. It wasn’t much of a conflict (nothing you’ve ever read about in the papers), but it was enough. And we ARE recruiting. I let my annual membership lapse a year or so ago, and should re-up again. I have a few guys in my shop that are local members, but I intend to sign up at my father-in-law’s post in FL. Tripler Yeah, I let it slide accidentally… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/49 "2012-01-07T16:25:13Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/50 "2012-01-07T19:51:19Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > It is certainly _not_ a club for drinking - as far as I know, alcohol is not allowed in lodges. This is possibly the least accurate statement ever posted in GQ ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/51 "2012-01-07T20:09:00Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > In London you’ve got the Livery companies like the “worshipful company of drapers”. The Livery Companies are nothing like fraternities. They’re the forerunners of trades unions and still have much to do with the trades after which they’re named. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/52 "2012-01-07T21:56:40Z")
The Freemasons are pretty much the archetypical example of this. They were lampooned on the Simpsons as the “Stonecutters” a while back. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/53 "2012-01-07T21:58:51Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I originally though that Grand Pooh-bah was only used in the Honeymooners Raccoon Loge, but see that it must have been [spoofed by a lot of shows](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrotherhoodOfFunnyHats) related to the fifties. > > More on the origins of [Grand Poohbah](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Poobah). It’s apparently tradition for acting troupes to give the Grand Poohbah additional “titles” that sound relevant to the audience. I saw a production where Poohbah was also the “Director of Homeland Security”. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/54 "2012-01-07T22:03:39Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > [Odd Fellows](http://www.ioof.org/). > > Great great grandpa Mercotan was a member So was my great grandmother. I recently had business in the neighborhood of her old lodge hall. The building is now devided up into small businesses. I stopped into the main floor coffee shop and had a rush of forgotten memories from my very early childhood. It was very strange. The oddest thning was the place smelled the same. My husband is an [Eagle](http://www.foe.com/). ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/55 "2012-01-08T00:13:17Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Fred Flintstone famously belonged to the Water Buffalo lodge. Was he ever elected Grand Pooh-Bah? > > The Metrorail in Northern Virginia passes the headquarters of the Association of Old Crows. I always thought they were a lodge like the Elks, but it turns out they’re a badass trade association for electronic warfare. Wow. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/56 "2012-01-08T14:13:07Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > The Metrorail in Northern Virginia passes the headquarters of the Association of Old Crows. I always thought they were a lodge like the Elks, but it turns out they’re a badass trade association for electronic warfare. Cite?:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/57 "2012-01-08T14:15:25Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Fred Flintstone famously belonged to the Water Buffalo lodge. Was he ever elected Grand Pooh-Bah? > > The Metrorail in Northern Virginia passes the headquarters of the Association of Old Crows. I always thought they were a lodge like the Elks, but it turns out they’re a badass trade association for electronic warfare. > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Cite?:dubious: My error, sorry. > **[Association of Old Crows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Old_Crows)** > > The Association of Old Crows is an international nonprofit professional organization specializing in electronic warfare, tactical information operations, and associated disciplines headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. > Its mission is to "advocate the need for a strong defense capability emphasizing electronic warfare and information operations to government, industry, academia, and the public." > The name "Old Crows" emerged from the first use of electronic warfare in World War II to disrupt Axi... :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/58 "2012-01-08T14:21:32Z")
Some of the best fraternal organizations have gone extinct: [Ancient Order of Froth-Blowers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Order_of_Froth_Blowers) ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/59 "2012-01-08T14:33:55Z")
Yes. I chaired our precinct caucus at Elks in Iowa. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623/60 "2012-01-08T15:00:18Z")
I bet the invention of TV caused the decline of lodges and clubs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-lodges/608623.md?page=4)