# So what is shortsheeting a bed anyway? And why is it hilarious? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279 "2026-04-14T21:14:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/41 "2026-04-15T14:32:42Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > I just watched an old _Adam-12_ rerun where Malloy goes on a youth camping trip as a counsellor and he tells Reed that the kids shortsheeted his bed. Every time I went on a camping trip as a youth, we had no actual _beds_, we did sleeping in our own sleeping bags. This must have been a pretty fancy camping trip! ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/42 "2026-04-15T14:41:10Z")
Sounds like more of a summer camp situation. Multiple weeks, permanent cabins, camp counselors… ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/43 "2026-04-15T14:52:51Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > put rice in the light fixtures, What does that accomplish? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/44 "2026-04-15T14:56:07Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > What does that accomplish? Makes cleaning it out a pain? Sounds dum. All I hear is Fred Flintstone: “Well, hardy-har-har. Droll, Wilma, very…droll.” ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/45 "2026-04-15T15:12:27Z")
With the old style that hangs down a little bit from the ceiling it looks like a bunch of dead flies in the light fixture/shade and makes the new wife (traditionally the person who cleaned the house) look like a poor house keeper. Until a light bulb burnt out how many home owners look up at their light fixtures? But their guest might glance up while sitting there and notice the dead “flies”. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/46 "2026-04-15T15:55:07Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Often mentioned but never actually depicted. It’s almost like the writers didn’t even know the specifics. Or that they didn’t want to be accused of teaching kids how it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/47 "2026-04-15T19:52:48Z")
Thing, yes. Lame, yes. Funny, from a certain point of view. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/48 "2026-04-15T19:57:35Z")
I asked my parents that when I was a kid. They explained it but I didn’t really get it. So the short-sheeted me. Oh the hilarity. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/49 "2026-04-15T22:36:30Z")
Shivareeing! Yes, I’ve also heard of people filling a newlyweds’ apartment with balloons, or wadded-up newspapers. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/50 "2026-04-17T00:50:38Z")
The OP asks why shortsheeting is hilarious. Well, there’s that moment when you’re diving feet first into the covers and your legs just _stop_. Shock-surprise-humor. Combined with a dab of confusion for those unfamiliar with the setup. The consequences are annoying though: the best pranks are the ones that shake the target’s perceptions but don’t waste their time. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/51 "2026-04-17T06:24:49Z")
I think it’s one of those summer camp pranks that only works if you’ve never heard of it before so it would be done on the new young kids. If you’re older you’d immediately realize what was going on and just undo it. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/52 "2026-04-17T12:24:57Z")
It works to some extent even if you know what it is, because you’re not expecting it at that particular moment; so there’s a moment of “what the hell” before you realize “oh shit, somebody’s shortsheeted my bed and now I have to remake it.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/53 "2026-04-17T12:54:16Z")
Which is vexing as hell for a sleepy (or wasted) person who’s quite ready for fading off to sleep, not some tiresome housekeeping task. Practical jokes are all about pissing off the victim, but not to the extent that they hunt you down and kill you in return. It’s a nicer world that has fewer practical jokes in it. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/54 "2026-04-18T00:57:32Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > When I was a child, we were taught to tuck the sides in when making the bed. You weren’t generally going to unmake the whole bed in order to get into it. I don’t sleep in an envelope. When getting ready for bed in a hotel I take down the covers & then untuck the top sheet all the way around before even _considering_ getting into the bed. > [@a6ka97](#): > > while they were on their honeymoon a few of their friends would “break” into their house, somebody would have, or get a key. Not on their honeymoon, not even married but living together, with a dog & went home for the holidays so had a friend stay there as a dog walker. I mean, who doesn’t like coming home to find some extra ‘gifts’ [wrapped](https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-apartment-wrapping-paper-prank-york-county/63322080) up for you ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/55 "2026-04-18T02:42:48Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I don’t sleep in an envelope. When getting ready for bed in a hotel I take down the covers & then untuck the top sheet all the way around before even _considering_ getting into the bed. OK. Not everyone does it that way. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/56 "2026-04-18T09:50:11Z")
Agreed. If the top sheet and blanket are not tucked at bottom and at least partway up the sides, very soon they’ll be where I’m not and I’ll awaken freezing. Hell yes the bed stays tucked together while I’m in it (and trying to sleep). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/57 "2026-04-18T14:55:34Z")
I usually tuck the sheet into the bottom of the bed, so it kinda stays in place. But i guess I’m just not that fussy. I love the bedding I’ve used in Denmark and Northern Germany (a lower sheet, and a comforter with an easy-to-launder cover) but at home i use traditional American two-sheets-and-an-upper-warmer-layer. When i make the bed (only when i change the sheets) i tuck it in all the way around, but it quickly becomes untucked, and neither of us does anything about that. In the summer, when I’m usually too warm, i need the sides open so i can stick out a leg to cool off. In the winter i usually stay under my sheets, and don’t care a lot about the sides. At hotels, i untuck enough that i don’t feel restricted, but that might not be far enough down to notice short-sheeting. If the hotel is too warm, i remove anything from the top that they don’t routinely launder, and just sleep on top of whatever is left. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/58 "2026-04-19T01:05:45Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > had a friend stay there as a dog walker The fact that the dog was included via collar being wrapped was adorable. They did a nice job, too - when I wrap Christmas gifts they don’t look nearly as neat & tidy. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/59 "2026-04-19T01:27:21Z")
Next up, is gently placing a sleeping person’s hand in warm water. Tested at Boy Scout Camp and it works. Be prepared to run. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279/60 "2026-04-19T02:17:32Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Not everyone does it that way. but above you stated that > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > You weren’t **generally** going to unmake the whole bed in order to get into it. & I was saying that ~~generally~~ , I _always_ do that in a hotel, & I’m not the only one. What you may or may not do does not necessarily mean the entire population generally does that. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > The fact that the dog was included via collar being wrapped was adorable. What wasn’t shown in the video, as they didn’t find it until later when they opened the cabinet but every single spice container was individually wrapped, too! Yes, I do know someone who was involved in this stunt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-shortsheeting-a-bed-anyway-and-why-is-it-hilarious/1029279.md?page=4)