Code Words and Vocabulary of the Ku Klux Klan

With the foundation of the second Ku Klux Klan in 1915, members of the KKK began to use a formalized vocabulary and a nationwide systems of secret code words. Many of these were recorded in the Kloran, the first official handbook of the Ku Klux Klan.

The Kloran was written by William J. Simmons in 1915, shortly after Simmons had declared himself the Imperial Wizard of the Invisible Empire of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He did all this shortly after being hit by a car, presumably in the head.

All of the following words are still in use by Klan members in the United States. Most of the words are taught vocally by one Klansman to another, as most Klansmen cannot read.

Code Words of the Ku Klux Klan

K.I.G.Y (Kigy) – “Klansman, I greet you”

A.Y.A.K. (Ayak?) – “Are you a Klansman?” (this is answered with Akia – “A Klansman I am” – by other members

S.A.N.B.O.G. (Sanbog!) – “Strangers are near, be on guard” (the classic warning between Klansmen, not to be taken lightly)

D.R.Y.H.U.M.P.S. (Dryhumps!) – “Don’t remove your hood until my pointy signal” (in order to maintain anonymity, a Klansman will warn another when it is safe or unsafe to remove his hood. A “pointy signal” with the index finger signals that the hood can now be removed)

I.C.S.Y.U.T.Y.R. (Icsyutyr) – “I can see your underwear through your robe”

B.O.M. (Bom?) – “Bud or Miller?”

D.Y.K.T.A.S.K (Dyktask?) – “Do you know the ancient secret kodes?” (the correct answer to this is Yiktask – “Yes I know the secret ancient kodes”)

M.A.G.A. (Maga!) – “Make America Great Again!” (A non-traditional but popular greeting among Donald Trump-supporting Klansmen, which is pretty much all of them)

T.I.T.S.W.U.B.O.K (Titswubok) – “This is the secret word used by our Klan” (this generic password has been used by Klansmen since 1926; a new and more efficient three-word password was introduced in 2010 but caused so much confusion it was abandoned within a week)

Vocabulary and Secret Language of the Ku Klux Klan

Most of the Klan vocabulary has been created by replacing the first letter of any word with the letter K, and replacing the first letter of any wording beginning with K with Kl (the “Kl of “Klan”; for example, Klansmen call kangaroos “klangaroos” even though kangaroos are neither white nor racist).

Kalendar – The Klan calendar, which no one can ever work out how to use but occasionally refer to nonetheless, especially when they want an extra birthday.

Kardinal Kullors – the Klan “cardinal colors” of white, crimson, gold and black.

Khristmas – Klansmen celebrate Khristmas, which is similar to Christmas but with more fiery crosses.

Klandestine — This word was introduced into the KKK lexicon in 1999 by Dwight Beevers. It refers to “the secrecy of the clan and its manifest destiny, both wrapped into one.” Klansmen across the USA were so impressed by the cleverness of the new word that Dwight Beevers was immediately given Wizard status.

Klerpes – Klan herpes.

Klangers – A reference to the British stop-motion animated children’s television series about a group of pink and pointy-headed creatures that live on a white planet with no black people. Klansmen love The Clangers because of its symbolism and because it’s easy to understand.

Klanton — The area overseen by a Klavern (see Klavern).

Klavern — A local unit or club, sometimes also called a “den” (a “den” was once called a “ken” until Klansman Ken Burns of Mobile, Alabama, complained).

Klonverse — A provincial konvention of Klansman (not to be confused with Konverse, which refers to white Converse sneakers, the favored footwear among young Klan members).

Kosplay – The KKK’s version of Cosplay, in which they all dress up in white robes and white hoods and talk about their favorite white-supremacist superheroes.

Kousin – A Klansman’s cousin, who could also be his wife, mother, daughter or aunt. It gets pretty damn confusing after a while.

Kraft Singles – Regular (not 2% Milk or Fat Free) Kraft Singles cheese slices are so popular at Klan conventions that they have been officially adopted into the Ku Klux Klan vocabulary with no change to the spelling.