Journalist Julian Sher who investigated this particular issue explains that those wanting to join the club usually get into it first as “hang around”, which means they get invited to some of the events in order for everyone to determine whether it would be a good match. The official process can therefore take some time, and before you are a member you are called a “prospect”, and even get that stitched to your vest. According to Sher, these potential members first only run errands for others in the group, which could be described as “gopher work”.
