In celebration of Alpha Phi’s 150th Anniversary in 2022, we proudly share stories and moments that have created the legacy of sisterhood originally launched by our ten founders and which we still hold dear today.

This is story 16 of 150.

Origins of the Hotty Toddy Chant

Some say it was created around 1970 by the women of the Delta Alpha-East Carolina chapter, while others may recall its origin differently, but regardless of where it began, the Hotty Toddy chant has become a favorite of many Alpha Phis. 

 At the time, each new member class was tasked with writing a song to present at the banquet following initiation. Donna Dean Giles, part of the Delta Alpha 1970 new member class, had a beautiful voice and was chosen to present the song for the banquet. She sang “The House on College Hill,” which was a parody of “House of the Rising Sun,” popularized by The Animals, while the rest of the new members lip-synced.  Since Donna was featured in the song, the new member class as a whole presented the chant they wrote called “Hotty Toddy,” as their contribution. It became a quick favorite among Delta Alpha chapter women and was adopted by other chapters as well. It has been sung at Alpha Phi gatherings, Leadership Conference, Convention and special get-togethers.  

Here are the lyrics to the chant.

One member:

Hotty Toddy!

All together:

Hotty Toddy,

Gosh almighty,

Who the he-- are we?

Wham bam, hot da--

We’re the Alpha Phis!

Ole Miss has a chant and greeting by the same name, and their Hotty Toddy tradition dates back to November 19, 1926. On that date, in their student newspaper, The Mississippian, they originally used the phrase “Heighty! Tighty!” and the phrasing evolved through the years the “Hotty Toddy” of today.