The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE FIRST PERSON STARTS THE GAME BY SAYING THE FIRST LINE.
WHO EVER ELSE IS PLAYING REPEATS THE LINE AFTER THEM.
THEN THE 1ST PERSON SAYS THE 1ST AND SECOND LINE, THE OTHERS
REPEAT IT AND SO ON UNTIL THE WHOLE IS SAID IN ONE GO. IF
YOU'RE REAL GOOD YOU CAN SAY IT ALL IN ONE BREATH.
A BIG FAT HEN
A COUPLE OF DUCKS
THREE SLIPPERY SLIDERS
FOUR BROWN BEARS
FIVE FAT FEMALES
SIX SILLY SIMPLETONS SITTING ON A STUMP
SEVEN SICILIAN SAILORS SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS SIDEWAYS
EIGHT EGOTISTICAL ECHOISTS EGOTISTICALLY ECHOING
EGOTISTICAL ECHOES
NINE NIBBLOUS GNAT NIBBLES, NIBBLING ON GNATS' NESTS AND
CIGARETTE BUTTS
TEN TREMENDOUS TEA TOADS TELLING TALES OF TRIGONOMETRY
AND TERROR.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A FAVORITE OF MY SISTER MICHELLE AND ME. WE STILL
PLAY EVEN THOUGH SHE'S NOW 31 AND I'M 20 YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint

Date learned: 12-00-1977