The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TIN CAN COPPER

FOR THIS GAME YOU WILL NEED A BIG EMPTY CAN. THE PERSON THAT IS IT
IS THE TIN CAN COPPER. HE GUARDS THE TIN CAN. THE OBJECT OF THE
GAME IS FOR THE COPPER TO ARREST ALL OF THE PLAYERS AS THEY TRY TO
KICK THE CAN. THE TIN CAN COPPER STAYS IN THE AREA OF THE TIN CAN
PROTECTING IT FROM THE OTHERS. THE OTHER CHILDREN TRY TO SUCCEED IN
KICKING THE CAN AWAY FROM THE COPPER. BEFORE THE COPPER CAN CHASE
THE CHILD HE MUST FIRST RETURN THE CAN TO THE SAME SPOT. ONCE THE
CAN HAS BEEN REPLACED THE COPPER CAN TRY TO CATCH THE OTHERS. IF A
CHILD IS CAUGHT BEFORE THE CAN IS KICKED AGAIN THAT PERSON IS CAUGHT
FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Submitter comment: THE WORD COPPER IN THIS GAME MUST HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THAT TIME
BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD IT IN OLD MOVIES. THERE IS A VARIATION OF
THIS GAME I USED TO PLAY. WE CALLED IT KICK THE CAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001930S