The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CATEGORIES

MY MOTHER USED TO PLAY "CATEGORIES" WITH HER BROTHERS AND
AND SISTERS WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH.
UP TO FOUR PEOPLE CAN PLAY. EVERYONE STARTS OFF CLAPPING
TOGETHER DEVELOPING ONE BEAT. AS EVERYONE CLAPS THEY BEGIN TO
CHANT "LET'S PLAY" (CLAP, CLAP) "CATEGORIES" (CLAP,CLAP) "NAMES
OF" (CLAP, CLAP) "STREETS"!!!!! EVERYONE HAS TO NAME A STREET
AND KEEP IN TIME WITH THE HAND CLAPPING. THE FIRST PERSON THAT
STUMBLES OR FAILS TO RECITE A STREET IN TIME TO THE BEAT IS OUT
OF THE GAME. YOU CAN USE STREETS, NAMES, SCHOOLS OR STATES. AS
LONG AS YOU KEEP IN TIME TO THE BEAT YOU WILL REMAIN IN THE GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN