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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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KICKBALL

THIS GAME IS PLAYED LIKE BASEBALL BUT NOT QUITE. IN THIS
GAME ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY AS LONG AS THERE IS AN EQUAL
NUMBER OF PLAYERS SO THAT THEY CAN BE SPLIT UP INTO TWO
TEAMS. AS IN BASEBALL THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO GET
MORE POINTS OUT OF A NUMBER OF INNINGS THAN THE OTHER
TEAM. THE GAME IS PLAYED IN A FIELD WITH THREE BASES AND
A HOME PLATE. THE ONLY BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS GAME
AND BASEBALL IS THAT A SOFT KICKBALL IS USED INSTEAD OF A
BASEBALL AND THE BALL IS KICKED, NOT HIT BY A BAT. BUT ALL
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THIS GAME ARE LIKE THOSE OF BASEBALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001970CA

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PAPER DOLLS AND DOLL HOUSE

WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, MY AUNT AND MOTHER USE TO PLAY
PAPER DOLLS. THEY WOULD LOOK THROUGH CATALOGUES AND CUT
OUT THE PICTURES OF PEOPLE AND FURNISHINGS. THEN THEY WOULD
TAKE A SHOE BOX AND MAKE A HOUSE OUT OF IT, BY TAKING
PICTURES OF RUGS, DRAPES AND WALLPAPER AND PASTING THEM
INSIDE OF THE BOX, WITH A PASTE MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER.
AND USING PENNEY MATCH BOXES THEY MADE BEDS AND COUCHES
AND THAT IS HOW THEY MADE A HOUSE TO PLAY DOLLS WITH.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy

Date learned: 00001947CA

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BULLSHIT

EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE A DRINK TO PLAY (USUALLY BEER).
FOUR OR MORE PEOPLE SIT AROUND TOGETHER AND PLAY THE GAME AS
FOLLOWS:
EVERYONE HAS CHOSEN A ONE-SYLLABLE NAME FOR THEMSELVES
THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO DURING THE GAME BY THAT NAME SO
THEY TELL EVERYONE ELSE AT THE BEGINNING WHAT THEIR NAME
IS (EX.- DOG, PIG OR SHOO). WHEN ONE PERSON CALLS ANOTHER BY
THEIR "NAME" DURING PLAY THEY ADD "SHIT" TO THE END OF THE
NAME (EX.-"DOGSHIT" OR "SHOOSHIT"). EACH PERSON THEREFORE
HAS A TWO-SYLLABLE NAME. A DIFFERENT NAME FROM THE PERSON'S
REAL ONE IS USED SO IT WILL CONFUSE OTHER PLAYERS WHILE
PLAYING THE GAME. THE PERSON WHO STARTS THE GAME SAYS THE
FOLLOWING STORY:
"THE DUKE OF YORK WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND HE THOUGHT
HE SAW" (HERE HE SAYS THE NAME OF ONE OF THE PLAYERS, EX.-
SHOO) "SHIT."
THE PERSON CALLED (IN THIS CASE SHOO) REPLIES, "BULLSHIT."
THE 1ST PERSON SAYS "WHO SHIT?"
THE 2ND PERSON SAYS THE NAME OF ANOTHER ONE OF THE PLAYERS
AND THEN "SHIT". NOW THAT THIRD PERSON SAYS, "BULLSHIT" AND
THE PROCESS IS REPEATED AGAIN AND AGAIN, CHANGING NAMES
EACH TIME UNTIL SOMEONE MAKES A MISTAKE. THAT PERSON MUST THEN
TAKE A DRINK AND THE GAME IS STARTED AGAIN BY THE LAST PERSON
WHO MADE A MISTAKE.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME ACTUALLY GETS HARDER TO PLAY AS IT GOES ALONG
BECAUSE THE PARTICIPANTS ARE DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
AND THEIR SPEECH TENDS TO GET SLURRED. OF COURSE CONCENTRATION
IS ALSO AFFECTED AND CAN RESULT IN INTERESTING MISTAKES.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 07-00-1989

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UP AND DOWN THE RIVER

APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 PLAYERS, EACH WITH A DRINK (BEER)
SIT AROUND A TABLE. A STANDARD DECK OF CARDS IS SHUFFLED
AND FOUR CARDS ARE DEALT TO EACH PLAYER. THE DEALER THEN FLIPS
THE REST OF THE CARDS ONE BY ONE FACE UP AND LAYS IT ON THE
TABLE. FOR THE FIRST CARD PUT DOWN IF SOMEONE HAS THE SAME
CARD (OBVIOUSLY OF A DIFFERENT SUIT) THEN THAT PERSON WILL
TAKE A DRINK. IF THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE CARD THEY HAVE TO
TAKE AS MANY DRINKS AS THERE ARE CARDS (EX.- A PAIR OF FOURS
YOU DRINK TWICE). FOR THE SECOND CARD LAID DOWN YOU MUST TAKE
TWO DRINKS FOR EVERY CARD IN YOUR HAND THAT IS THE SAME AS
THE ONE LAID OUT. AND SO ON UP TO THE FOURTH CARD.
AFTER THE 4TH CARD IS PLAYED THE NEXT CARD COUNTS FOR FOUR
DRINKS A CARD BUT IT'S TO BE GIVEN AWAY TO SOMEONE ELSE
PLAYING THE GAME. IF YOU HAVE TWO CARDS YOU CAN SPLIT IT
BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE OR GIVE ALL OF THEM TO ONE PERSON. THE
NEXT CARD COUNTS FOR THREE DRINKS, ETC. UNTIL ONE DRINK.
THEN YOU GO AGAIN UNTIL ALL THE CARDS IN THE DECK ARE USED.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A FAVORITE WAY OF GETTING DRUNK IN A RELATIVELY
SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. USUALLY PLAYED WHILE PEOPLE ARE
GETTING READY TO GO TO A PARTY OR GAME.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 10-00-1988

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QUARTERS

ITEMS NEEDED FOR THIS GAME ARE A NUMBER OF AMERICAN OR
CANADIAN QUARTERS, A GLASS 2" TALL (USUALLY A SHOT GLASS) AND
A HARD SMOOTH SURFACE TO BOUNCE THE QUARTERS ON. EVERY PLAYER
HAS A DRINK (BEER). THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO BOUNCE THE
QUARTER ON THE FLAT SURFACE SO THAT IT GOES INTO THE GLASS
AFTER THE FIRST BOUNCE. THE QUARTER IS USUALLY HELD BETWEEN
THE THUMB AND FOREFINGER AND HITS THE TABLE AT AN ANGLE SO
IT BOUNCES ON THE THIN EDGE. IF YOU MISS YOU HAVE TO TAKE A
DRINK AND THE NEXT PLAYER GOES. IF YOU GET IT IN YOU TRY
AGAIN. IF YOU GET THREE IN A ROW YOU CAN MAKE UP A RULE.
(EX.- YOU HAVE TO SWEAR AT THE END OF EVERY SENTENCE; IF YOU
GET UP TO DO SOMETHING IN THE ROOM YOU MUST WALK ON YOUR
KNEES).
VARIATIONS ON THE GAME VARY WIDELY, EVEN FROM ROOM TO ROOM
ON THE SAME DORM FLOOR. OTHERS ARE:
IF YOU CAN BOUNCE A QUARTER IN SOMEONE ELSE'S DRINK
ANYTIME DURING PLAY THEY HAVE TO DRINK THE WHOLE GLASS IN
ONE GO AND RETURN THE QUARTER TO YOU.
INSTEAD OF A SHOT GLASS A PHONE RECEIVER WAS USED. THE EAR
AND MOUTH PIECES HAD BEEN UNSCREWED AND TAKEN OFF TO LEAVE
HOLES FOR THE QUARTERS TO BE BOUNCED INTO. THEN THE PHONE
WAS SET SPINNING AND THE PLAYERS TOOK TURNS TRYING TO GET
THE QUARTERS IN.

Submitter comment: THIS IS ANOTHER OF THE DRINKING GAMES THAT ARE USED TO GET
DRUNK QUICKLY.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 10-00-1988

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QUESTIONS

THREE OR MORE PEOPLE SITTING AROUND TOGETHER--
EACH HAS A DRINK (BEER). ONE PERSON ASKS ANOTHER A QUESTION.
IF THE SECOND PERSON PAUSES OR DOESN'T GIVE AN ANSWER THEY
HAVE TO DRINK. THE PERSON ASKED THEN CAN ASK SOMEONE ELSE
A QUESTION. THIS KEEPS GOING UNTIL THE PARTICIPANTS
BECOME BORED.

Submitter comment: SHANNA SAYS THIS GAME IS THE MOST INTERESTING TO PLAY
WHEN PEOPLE KNOW "DIRT" ON EACH OTHER.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 01-00-1989

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SOUTHERN SHOOTERS

A GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE SITTING AROUND TOGETHER (USUALLY AT A
PARTY). ONE OF THEM INVITES ANOTHER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT
THEY ARE INTERESTED IN TO DO SHOTS OF TEQUILA. THE PROCEDURE
IS AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST LICK THE PERSON'S NECK AND PLACE SALT ON IT.
THEN PLACE A LEMON SLICE IN THEIR TEETH.
AFTER POURING THE SHOT INTO A GLASS, LICK
THE SALT OFF THE PERSON'S NECK, SLAM THE TEQUILA SHOT
AND TAKE THE LEMON SLICE FROM THE PERSON'S TEETH WITH
YOUR OWN MOUTH.

Submitter comment: SHANNA CLAIMS THIS WAS ALWAYS A FUN ONE TO DO WITH A GUY
SHE LIKED.
TO SLAM IS TO DRINK ALL THE LIQUID IN YOUR GLASS IN ONE
GO WITHOUT STOPPING FOR BREATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND HAVEN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

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ASSHOLE

NEED AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE TO PLAY, BUT CAN GO UP TO
EIGHT. STANDARD DECK OF CARDS IS USED AND EVERYONE HAS
A DRINK (USUALLY BEER). THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO
GET RID OF YOUR CARDS FIRST. THE FIRST TO GET RID OF
HIS CARDS BECOMES THE PRESIDENT. THE SECOND IS VICE-
PRESIDENT, THEN NEUTRAL, VICE ASSHOLE AND ASSHOLE. IF
THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THERE CAN BE NEUTRAL ONE, TWO
AND THREE. DEAL OUT ALL THE CARDS BUT ONE. (ASSHOLE ALWAYS
DEALS, BUT THE FIRST HAND DETERMINES WHO IS WHO SO IT
CAN BE ANYONE WHO DEALS THE FIRST HAND.)
THE NUMBER THREE CARD IS THE HIGHEST CARD IN THE DECK,
THEN TWO, ACE, KING, ETC. DOWN TO FOUR. NO CARDS CAN BE PLAYED
AFTER A THREE, A NEW ROUND WILL BEGIN. DURING PLAY YOU WANT
TO BEAT THE CARD THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY LAID DOWN BY THE PERSON
TO YOUR RIGHT. IF YOU CAN'T YOU MUST DRINK. IF YOU PLACE A
CARD DOWN THAT IS THE SAME NUMBER AS THE CARD BEFORE THEN YOU
SKIP THE PERSON TO THE LEFT OF YOU THAT WOULD HAVE GONE NEXT
AND THE TURN GOES TO THE SECOND PERSON ON YOUR LEFT. IF YOU
LEAD THE ROUND YOU CAN LAY DOWN TWO, THREE OR FOUR OF THE
SAME KIND. THE PERSON AFTER YOU MUST PLAY THE SAME NUMBER
OF CARDS OF A HIGHER NUMBER OR GIVE UP HIS TURN AND TAKE
A DRINK. THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO GET OUT OF IT IS TO LAY DOWN A
THREE, IF YOU HAVE IT. THE FIRST PERSON OUT IS THE PRESIDENT
AND SO ON.
ONCE THE RANKS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE NEXT GAME THE
OFFICE HOLDERS ARE ALLOWED TO USE THEIR POWER. THE PRESIDENT
CAN TELL ANY OF THE OTHER PLAYERS TO DO SOMETHING AND THE
PLAYER(S) MUST DO IT. THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS CONTROL OVER
EVERYONE UNDER HIM AND SO ON DOWN TO THE ASSHOLE WHO HAS
NO CONTROL WHATSOEVER. THE PRESIDENT OFTEN WILL CALL FOR
A SOCIAL (HE CAN WIELD HIS POWER AT ANYTIME HE'S A PRESIDENT).
A SOCIAL IS WHERE ALL PLAYERS MUST TAKE A DRINK. USUALLY THE
PLAYERS HAVE EACH OTHER TAKE DRINKS. BUT THE ASSHOLE IS
USUALLY THE ONE THAT DOES ANY WORK (GETTING REFILLS, ANSWERING
THE PHONE, LETTING IN THE DOG, ETC.). OFTEN THE PRESIDENT WILL
ASK THE VICE PRESIDENT TO DO SOMETHING AND THE VP WILL ASK
THE NEUTRAL TO DO IT AND SO ON DOWN TO THE ASSHOLE WHO MUST
DO IT. EACH HAND CAN CHANGE THE ORDER SO THAT THE ASSHOLE
MAY BECOME THE PRESIDENT AND VICE VERSA.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME CAN BE USED FOR REVENGE ON FRIENDS IF YOU'RE
IN THE RIGHT POSITION. IT'S ALSO A QUICK WAY TO GET DRUNK
IF THE PRESIDENT ASKS FOR A LOT OF SOCIALS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 01-00-1989

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PYRAMIDS

USE A STANDARD DECK OF CARDS AND EVERYONE HAS A DRINK.
MAKE A FLAT PYRAMID OUT OF CARDS, USUALLY FIVE ROWS, WITH
THE FIRST ROW HAVING ONE CARD THE SECOND HAVING TWO AND SO
ON TO FIVE CARDS IN THE FIFTH ROW. THE CARDS ARE LAID OUT FACE
DOWN. THEN FIVE TO SEVEN CARDS ARE DEALT TO EACH PLAYER
(DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PLAYERS THERE ARE). THE SINGLE CARD IN
THE TOP ROW IS OVERTURNED. WHOEVER HAS THAT CARD (IN A
DIFFERENT SUIT) CAN TELL SOMEONE ELSE TO DRINK. IF HE
HAS TWO OR MORE OF THE SAME CARD HE CAN HAVE AS MANY
PEOPLE DRINK AS THERE ARE OF THAT CARD (EX- TWO KINGS,
THE PLAYER CAN HAVE TWO PEOPLE TAKE A DRINK) OR YOU CAN
GIVE ALL THE DRINKS TO ONE PERSON. FOR THE FIRST ROW THERE'S
ONE DRINK FOR EACH CARD, THE SECOND HAS TWO DRINKS PER
CARD, ETC. UP TO FIVE DRINKS PER CARD. PLAYERS CAN ALSO TRY TO
BLUFF AND TRY TO CONVINCE ANOTHER PLAYER THAT THEY HAVE A
CARD AND THE PERSON THEY CHOOSE SHOULD DRINK. IF THE BLUFFER
IS CONFRONTED (SOMEONE SAYS "BULLSHIT")THEN THE BLUFFER HAS
TO TAKE DOUBLE THE DRINKS HE WAS TRYING TO GIVE AWAY. IF THE
PERSON WASN'T BLUFFING AND IS CONFRONTED THE CONFRONTER MUST
TAKE DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF DRINKS.
VARIATIONS:
FOR GETTING A LOT MORE DRUNK IN A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME
YOU CAN REVERSE THE NUMBER OF DRINKS PER ROW SO THAT IT'S
ONE DRINK FOR ALL THE CARDS IN ROW FIVE AND FIVE DRINKS
FOR THE ONE CARD IN ROW ONE.

Submitter comment: THIS IS JULIE'S FAVORITE DRINKING GAME; SHE PLAYS IT VERY
OFTEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 01-00-1989

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KINGS

DECK OF CARDS (9 - ACE) AND DRINKS.
PLAYERS TAKE TURNS TURNING OVER THE TOP CARD OF THE
DECK. IF A 9 IS TURNED OVER THE PERSON TO THE PLAYER'S RIGHT
DRINKS ONCE. IF A 10 IS TURNED THEN THE PERSON TO THE LEFT
DRINKS. IF IT'S A JACK THE PLAYER DRINKS. A QUEEN IS A SOCIAL
(EVERYONE DRINKS). AN ACE LETS THE PLAYER GIVE TWO DRINKS
TO SOMEONE ELSE AND A KING LETS EVERYONE POUR AS MUCH OF
THEIR BEER INTO THE "POT" (A LARGE GLASS IN THE CENTER)
AS THEY WANT. WHOEVER TURNS THE FINAL KING MUST DRINK
THE "POT." THEN A NEW GAME IS BEGUN.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

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3 MAN

NEED 3-10 PEOPLE, 2 DICE AND A DRINK, PREFERABLY BEER, FOR
ALL THE PLAYERS. EVERYONE TAKES A TURN ROLLING A DIE. THE
FIRST TO ROLL A 3 IS "3 MAN." GOING CLOCKWISE AROUND THE
GROUP EVERYONE TAKES A TURN ROLLING. PERSON TO LEFT OF THE
"3 MAN" ROLLS FIRST, USING BOTH DICE. IF HE ROLLS A 7, THE
PERSON TO HIS RIGHT TAKES A DRINK. IF IT'S AN 11 THE PERSON
ON THE LEFT DRINKS. A 9 ROLLED IS A SOCIAL (EVERYONE DRINKS).
WHENEVER A 3 IS ROLLED, WHETHER ON THE DIE OR ADDED UP
(1+2) THE "3 MAN" MUST DRINK. IF A PLAYER ROLLS DOUBLES
HE GIVES ONE DIE EACH TO TWO PLAYERS. THEY ROLL THEIR DIE.
THE PERSON WITH THE HIGHER NUMBER TAKES THE NUMBER OF DRINKS
ON THE LOW ROLLED DIE (OR VICE VERSA). IF THE TWO DICE ROLLED
ARE THE SAME (DOUBLES) THEN ONE DIE IS GIVEN BACK TO THE
PERSON WHO ROLLED DOUBLES FIRST AND HE MUST DRINK DOUBLE THE
NUMBER HE ROLLS ON THE DIE (2-12 SIPS).
IF DICE ARE ROLLED AND NO ONE MUST DRINK THE ROLL IS REFERRED
TO AS "SHIT" OR A "SHITTY ROLL." THE DICE ARE THEN HANDED
TO THE NEXT PLAYER. IF DICE ARE ROLLED AND SOMEONE MUST DRINK
THE SAME PLAYER ROLLS AGAIN.
WHEN THE "3 MAN" ROLLS, IF HE ROLLS A 3 IN ANY FORM HE CAN
GIVE AWAY THE "3 MAN" STATUS TO ANYONE ELSE PLAYING.
VARIATIONS ARE:
FOR 9-10 PEOPLE THERE CAN BE TWO "3 MEN".
TO GET SOMEONE DRUNK FASTER THERE CAN BE AN "OH SHIT" PLAYER
(SIMILAR TO THE "3 MAN") WHO MUST DRINK WHEN A ROLL IS "SHIT"
(OTHER THAN A 3,7,9 OR 11). ONE PERSON MAY BE BOTH "3 MAN" AND
"OH SHIT" AT THE SAME TIME. HE WILL ALSO GET VERY DRUNK VERY
QUICKLY.

Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK ; BAR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 07-00-1989

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98 SHOTS

YOU NEED 2-10 PLAYERS, A DECK OF CARDS AND SHOTS OF WHISKEY.
DEAL FOUR CARDS TO EACH PLAYER. FLIP OVER THE TOP CARD OF THE
REMAINING DECK. THE PLAYERS LAY DOWN THE CARDS IN THEIR HAND,
ONE AT A TIME AND PICK UP A CARD FROM THE DECK. THEY ARE
TRYING TO REACH THE NUMBER 98 TOTALLED BY THE SCORE OF CARDS,
BUT NOT GO OVER IT. THE WINNER IS THE LAST ONE WHO CAN STILL
PLAY ONE OF HIS CARDS WITH OUT GOING OVER 98.
SCORING OF CARDS:
9=0PTS; 10=-10PTS(NEGATIVE PTS VALUE); JACK=10PTS (EXCEPT FOR
1 EYED JACKS CAN =0 IF PLAYED ON A 98); QUEEN=10PTS;
KING=98PTS; ACES=1 OR 11PTS ACE OF SPADES AND JOKER=1 SHOT
FOR PLAYER (0PTS); OTHER CARDS AT FACE VALUE. IF A RED 5 IS
PLAYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACE OF SPADES THE PLAYER WHO
LAID DOWN THE RED 5 GETS THE SHOT INSTEAD OF THE PLAYER WHO
PUT DOWN THE ACE OF SPADES.
IF SOMEONE PUTS DOWN A CARD DURING PLAY THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL
TO 69, THAT PLAYER TAKES A SHOT.
ALWAYS DRAW FROM THE DECK AFTER PLAYING A CARD BEFORE THE
NEXT PLAYER PUTS DOWN HIS CARD. IF YOU DON'T, YOU LOSE YOUR
CHANCE FOR THE CARD AND MUST PLAY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL
THE NEXT TURN. THIS MEANS YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE RIGHT CARD
TO STAY IN PLAY AT THE END AND LOSE.
IF YOU PLAY THE SAME CARD AS WHAT WAS PUT DOWN BEFORE YOURS
(A 4 WAS LAID DOWN AND YOU PLAYED A 4) THE SECOND CARD HAS
0PTS. YOU CAN ALSO PLAY MORE THAN ONE CARD OF THE SAME CARD
AT ONCE IF THE CARD PLAYED BEFORE IS THE SAME. (A JACK WAS
PLAYED, YOU CAN LAY DOWN UP TO 3 MORE JACKS AT THE SAME TIME).

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

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THIS GAME IS CALLED "MURDER AT MIDNIGHT" AND CAN BE
PLAYED WITH 4 OR MORE PLAYERS. IT IS BEST INDOORS
ON A STORMY NIGHT. SLIPS OF PAPER ARE FOLDED AND
PLACED INSIDE A BASKET. THERE IS ONE FOR EACH PLAYER.
ALL OF THEM ARE BLANK BUT ONE, WHICH HAS AN "X" ON IT.
EACH PLAYER DRAWS ONE OF THE PAPERS, LOOKS AT IT AND
RETURNS IT TO THE BASKET. THE PLAYERS ARE NOT TO TELL
ANYONE IF THEY DREW THE "X" OR NOT. ALL OF THE LIGHTS
ARE TURNED OUT AND THEN EACH PLAYER QUIETLY FINDS A
HIDING PLACE. WHEN ALL IS STILL, THE PLAYER THAT DREW
THE "X" SLIPS OUT OF HIS HIDING PLACE, PLACES HIS HANDS
AROUND THE THROAT OF A HIDING PLAYER THEN QUIETLY RETURNS
TO HIS PLACE. AFTER SUFFICIENT TIME HAS ELAPSED FOR THE
"MURDERER" TO RETURN TO HIS PLACE, THE VICTIM CALLS OUT
"THERE HAS BEEN A MURDER." THE LIGHTS ARE THEN TURNED
ON AND THE VICTIM HAS TO TRY TO IDENTIFY HIS ASSAILANT.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS OFTEN PLAYED AT PAJAMA PARTIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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Button, Button

Any number of children can play this game.
One child goes out of the room while all of the rest except
one sit down in a straight line with their hands flattened
together as if in prayer.
The player not in line will then place a button between his
flattened palms. In turn he will go to each child in the
line and slide his hands between their clasped hands.
(It resembles a knife cutting between two slices of bread).
He repeats this action to every player, leaving the button
secretly between the palms of one of them.
Once each child has been given a turn, the first child who
had left the room is called back. All the players in unison
sing, " Button, Button, whose got the button?"
He then must choose which child has the button, while they
all try to either pretend that they have it, or keep a
straight face.
The guesser is given a predetermined number of chances to
guess correctly, depending on the number of players.
If he guesses correctly, the player concealing the button
becomes the new guesser, and the old guesser becomes the
leader who passes the button.
If, however, he does not guess in the number of tries given
to him, he remains the guesser until he successfully does so.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001970S

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This is not really a game, just something to pass time.
It involves taking a blank piece of paper that is perfectly
square and making a series of folds to create a three-
dimensional message teller.
On the outside are four flaps with a color spelled out
on each flap.
A child would take the message teller and present it to
another and say, "Pick a color."
The second child would then pick one of the four colors.
The first child would then manipulate the paper item,
spelling out the color and presenting an alternate set
of numbers with each letter said.
On the last letter spelled, the second child would choose
a number from the 4 of the 8 that are revealed.
The first child would again manipulate the paper, counting
the number, while presenting alternate sets of numbers.
When the counting is finished, the second child again
picks a number, but this time the first child lifts up
the flap underneath the number to reveal a "message."
Usually there are both good and bad messages.
Some that we used as kids were, "You are nice" or
"You are ugly."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001980S

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Spinning a yoyo on a cloudy day is supposed to help make the
sun come out.

Submitter comment: I did this once before under cloudy conditions and the sun
actually did come through the clouds.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Up, Down.

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
BELIEF -- Sun
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection

Date learned: 00-00-1984

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When we were little we would play this
game called "chin people." In it
we would draw faces on our chins, but
these faces were upside down. Then we would
lay on a couch with our feet over the back
and our heads on the floor. It was hilarious to
see our mouths talking and pretending to smoke
cigarettes. The whole family would laugh.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001970S

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You can't play any form of cards because the devil is hidden
in cards.

Submitter comment: This is a superstition her grandfather told her and he was a
strict Christian of the Trinity College. Her other
grandfather who was not of the strict Christian background
taught them to play everything from solitaire to poker.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 00-00-1929

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For this game you need a six foot long stick like bamboo and a
four inch deep crevice that is about two or three inches wide
and another stick that is six to eight inches. You lay the
small stick across the whole. Use the big stick to fling the
small one and the other children in the field would try to
catch the flung stick. They throw it back to the batter and
he would try to bat it back. The stick if hit by the batter
would earn him points. If it is missed he can still earn
points by placing another small stick, teeter taughter on the
hole, flipping it into the air and then trying to bat it with
the long stick. The number of points you get is determined by
how far you hit the small stick and it is caught. You keep
playing until you must go in and then the person with the most
points wins. Or you can play by the round each player with one
turn and at the end the player with the most points wins.

Where learned: Yigo ; Guam

James Callow Keyword(s): teeter-totter

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001800's

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WHEN GOING ON LONG FAMILY TRIPS IN THE CAR THERE'S A GAME TO
PLAY THAT HELPS TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME. THE FIRST PERSON TO SPOT A
LICENSE PLATE FROM ALL 50 STATES WINS.

Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT SAYS THAT USUALLY NO ONE GETS ALL 50 STATES. THE
WINNER IS THE ONE WITH THE MOST STATES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.50

Date learned: OOOO1960S

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