The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KING TUT OR UGA-BUGGA BOO

ONE PERSON IS THE KING AND ONE PERSON IS THE SERVANT.
THE SERVANT WANTS TO BE ADMITTED TO COURT, SO HE GOES
THROUGH THIS INITIATION. THE QUEEN STANDS BEHIND THE
SERVANT. THE KING AND THE SERVANT BOTH HAVE A BROOM.
THE KING SETS THE STYLE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE KING WILL SAY
"UGH" AND BANG THE BROOMSTICK ON THE GROUND. NOW THE
SERVANT WILL HAVE TO DO THE EXACT SAME THING. THE KING
MAY KEEP SITTING AND STANDING AND POUNDING THE BROOM-
STICK AND THE SERVANT MUST FOLLOW THESE ORDERS EXACTLY
IF HE IS TO GET INTO THE COURT. THIS PROCEDURE GOES
ON FOR QUITE A WHILE. THE KING ACTS VERY SERIOUS AND
SCORNS ANY LAUGHTER, ETC. THE QUEEN WHO IS STANDING
BEHIND THE SERVANT, GETS A SPONGE SOAKED IN WATER.
SHE PLACES THE SPONGE ON THE SEAT OF THE SERVANT WHO
ON THE NEXT TIME AROUND FOLLOWS THE ACTION OF THE KING
WHO SITS AND THE SERVANT SITS--SQUISH!! THAT'S THE END OF
THE GAME WITH EVERYONE ENDING UP LAUGHING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-30-1972