The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"BUZZ"

THIS DRINKING GAME IS BEST WHEN PLAYED WITH 5-10 PEOPLE.
THE GROUP ARRANGES ITSELF IN A CIRCLE AND, BEGINNING IN A
CLOCKWISE DIRECTION, EACH PERSON SAYS ONE NUMBER STARTING WITH
1, 2, 3... AND SO ON. WHEN THE NUMBER SEVEN IS REACHED,
THE PERSON WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO SAY THE NUMBER SEVEN SAYS BUZZ
INSTEAD, AND THE DIRECTION REVERSES. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THE NEXT
SEVEN OR MULTIPLE OF SEVEN. E.G., 7, 14, 17, 21, 27, 28, 35...
REVERSING DIRECTION EACH TIME "BUZZ" IS SAID.
WHEN A PERSON DOES NOT SAY BUZZ AT THE PROPER TIME (ON A SEVEN
OR ONE OF ITS MULTIPLES) THEN HE/SHE LOSES. THE PENALTY FOR LOSING
IS USUALLY DRINKING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BEER (ABOUT 6 TO 12 OUNCES).
THIS MUST BE CONSUMED VERY RAPIDLY.

Submitter comment: VARIATIONS OF THE GAME USE OTHER NUMBERS AND THEIR MULTIPLES
SUCH AS THE NUMBERS 3, 4, 6, 8, AND 9. WHEN USING EASIER NUMBERS
SUCH AS 5 AND 7, IT IS POSSIBLE TO USE BOTH NUMBERS SAYING
"BUZZ FOR 5 AND ITS MULTIPLES, AND "BANG FOR 7 AND ITS MULTIPLES,
REVERSING DIRECTION ONLY WHEN "BUZZ" IS SAID.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 00-00-1978