The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IT CAN BE...

THIS IS A GAME PLAYED STRICTLY WITH WORDS CONTAINING
DOUBLE CONSONANTS. ONLY FEW IN THE ROOM ARE AWARE OF
JUST HOW IT WORKS. THOSE INFORMED BEGIN WITH EXAMPLES
"IT CAN BE YELLOW, BUT IT CAN'T BE BLUE." "IT CAN BE
CHILLY BUT IT CAN'T BE COLD" AND CONTINUE WITH THE
FORMULA "IT CAN BE...BUT IT CAN'T BE..." MANY
EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN AND THE AGGRAVATION BUILDS. THOSE
UNINFORMED BEGIN TO GET VERY UPSET AND TENSE. IT IS
SELDOM WHEN SOMEONE CATCHES ON TO THIS GAME WITH ONLY
FEW EXAMPLES. IT'S A LOT OF FUN IF YOU'RE ONE THAT
KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Date learned: 10-22-1971