The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHILDREN'S GAMES - ONE POTATO

THIS GAME WAS A POPULAR GAME FOR CHILDREN, IT WAS USED FOR CHOOSING
UP SIDES. THE PARTICIPANTS FORMED A CIRCLE, WITH BOTH HANDS FORMED
INTO FISTS AND HANDS EXTENDED FORWARD INTO THE CENTER FOR THE
CIRCLE. THE LEADER WOULD GO AROUND THE CIRCLE COUNTING OFF HANDS
AS FOLLOWS, ONE POTATO, TO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR, FIVE POTATO, SIX POTATO, SEVEN POTATO, OR. THE PERSON WHOSE HAND WAS OR WAS
REMOVED FROM THE CIRCLE AND HE WAS SAID TO BE OUT. THE LEADER
CONTINUES AROUND THE CIRCLE, REPEATING THE REFRAIN, UNTIL
EVERYONE BUT ONE PERSON IS OUT. THE LAST PERSON IS THE WINNER,
AND HE IS CAPTAIN OF HIS TEAM. THE PROCESS IS REPEATED AND ANOTHER
CAPTAIN IS CHOSEN. EACH CAPTAIN THEN CHOOSES TEAM MEMBERS
ALTERNATELY.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME AS REMEMBERED BY MY BROTHER AND MYSTELF, WAS USUSLLY
PLAYED ON THE BLOCKED-OFF SIDE STREET AT THE GRADE SCHOOL WE
BOTH ATTENDED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-00-1982