(This story, which originally appeared in Madison magazine, is reprinted here for the enjoyment of our readers. If you'd like to read more articles like this, subscribe to Madison, or pick up a copy at locations around the county.)

One of the time-honored privileges of young college students is to travel to exotic, remote geographic spots on the planet, commune with the indigenous people and, whenever possible, kill a keg or two.

Spring Break is here.

What began, according to legend, more than 70 years ago in Florida has blossomed into a multimillion-dollar industry, one that offends some and amuses others, what with decades of fun in the sun, scantily clad young people, wild parties and, some say, strong beverages.

This year, the magic span of dates is March 8-22. That’s the time when most college students will be partying.

So, everyone else — travel some other time.

According to the Web site TripSmarter.com, one of the endless locations that pop up when searching online with the words “Spring Break,” it all began with the ancient Greeks and their celebration of spring and the rejuvenation of the earth. At such times, the elders would notice that young folk would grow restless and playful.

In more modern times, the observances of Easter and Passover — and the accompanying time off from school — allowed such raucous good times to flourish, especially with the annual festival that preceded Lent, called Mardi Gras in the U.S.

The tale told by TripSmarter.com says, “America never really caught the Spring Break bug … until the First World War, when American Doughboys serving in France watched, wide-eyed with wonder, as the Europeans would temporarily halt Spring Offensives, and instead, party.”

The Web site even makes a guess — perhaps with tongue in cheek — about a revered Spring Break tradition.

“Miraculously, scantily clad women would appear over the trenches, dancing and prancing about like nymphs. Unfortunately, it was discovered that many, if not most, of these ‘ladies’ were in fact men. America’s farm boys and day laborers were horrified, and therefore made the phrase ‘Show us your ----!’ a Spring Break staple (which has since been adopted by Mardi Gras).”

Springs Break grew into its current form after the Great Depression and World War II, when Americans yearned for a happier, more carefree life.

To put it delicately.

WHERE THE BOYS (AND GIRLS) ARE

The first major Spring Break destination was Fort Lauderdale, and that phenomenon was the basis of the 1960 film “Where the Boys Are,” starring Connie Francis and Yvette Mimieux. (It was remade in 1984 with Lisa Hartman and Lynn-Holly Johnson.)