That's How It Happened

Jonathan Green gives this modern eyewitness account of secret ritualised duelling known as "academic fencing". Its stylized format has changed little since Mark Twain observed it. Despite dubious legality it is alive and well in German universities. The raison d'etre of this swordplay is the deliberate creation of a schmiss or duelling scar. These scars are considered by the bearers as a mark of courage and nobility, and by outsiders as an indication of semi-latent Nazi tendencies. In March a medical conference is beng held for the first time in Freiburg, for doctors who wish to tend to such duelling injuries.

Update: I cross posted this to metafilter and in among the many comments was this awesome video featuring real schmisses:

Labels: duelling