The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TRUTH OR DARE

A GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS GAME.
ONE PERSON TAKES A PENNY AND A DIME AND PLACES THE
PENNY IN ONE HAND AND A DIME IN THE OTHER. THE
PENNY IS CALLED TRUTH AND THE DIME IS DARE.
ONE PERSON COMES UP AND CHOOSES A HAND. THE
HAND IS CLOSED OVER THE COIN SO THE CHOOSER DOESN'T
KNOW WHICH HAND CONTAINS WHICH COIN. (CLOSED IN A
FIST). IF THE PLAYER CHOOSES THE HAND WITH THE
DIME, THE GROUP DARES HIM TO DO SOME STRANGE STUNT
LIKE CLIMBING A TELEPHONE POLE OR SINGING HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO A BUS DRIVER. IF THE PERSON CHOOSES
THE HAND WITH THE PENNY, HE MUST TELL THE TRUTH
OR HE GETS MAULED BY THE GROUP PLAYING THE GAME.
THE PERSON USUALLY GETS ASKED A PERSONAL QUESTION
AND MUST ANSWER TRUTHFULLY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THERE IS USUALLY A PERSON IN THE
GROUP WHO KNOWS THE TRUTHFUL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
ASKED AND NOBODY GETS MAULED BY OTHER PLAYERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 04-05-1972