The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

REVERSE BUZZ

THIS IS A VARIATION ON THE FAMILIAR NUMBER GAME, BUZZ,
IN WHICH A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKE TURNS COUNTING,
SAYING "BUZZ" IN PLACE OF EVERY NUMBER CONTAINING A
7 OR DIVISIBLE BY 7. THIS VARIATION IS USED AS A
DRINKING GAME, AND THE COUNTING GOES AROUND A TABLE
OF DRINKERS. HOWEVER, EACH TIME "BUZZ" IS SAID THE
DIRECTION OF COUNTING REVERSES ITSELF AND GOES BACK
AROUND THE TABLE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS
LEADS TO GREAT CONFUSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PLAYERS
ARE A LITTLE HIGH, AND PARTICULARLY AT SPOTS LIKE 27-28,
WHERE TWO BUZZES OCCUR IN A ROW. THE FIRST PERSON
TO MAKE A MISTAKE MUST TAKE A GENEROUS DRINK OF BEER
AND BEGIN COUNTING AT ONE AGAIN.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES ; SAN DIEGO

Date learned: 09-00-1970