The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GAME CONSISTS OF A SMALL HOLLOW PIECE OF WOOD
ABOUT 2 INCHES. THE OTHER PIECE FITS INTO THE HOLE
OF THE FIRST. (DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD) THE FIRST ALSO
IS CLOSED AT ONE END BY A PLUG WHICH HOLDS A RUBBER
BAND HALF-IN AND HALF-OUT OF THE END. THE NARROW
PIECE HAS A SMALL NOTCH IN ONE END.
THE OBJECT IS TO CATCH THE RUBBER-BAND INSIDE THE
HOLLOW PIECE WITH THE NOTCHED END OF THE OTHER.
THE JOKE COMES BECAUSE THERE REALLY IS NO RUBBER
BAND INSIDE. WHEN A PERSON DEMONSTRATES THE GAME
HE PRETENDS TO CATCH THE NON-EXISTENT RUBBER-BAND
AND THEN FORCES THE ROUNDED END TO SLIP THROUGH HIS
FINGERS SO THAT IT SNAPS BACK AS IF IT HAD BEEN PULLED
BY THE RUBBER BAND. THE VICTIM NEVER CAN DO THE TRICK
UNLESS HE KNOWS THE SECRET.

Submitter comment: THIS TRICK WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY FATHER, WHO HAD IT
WHEN HE WAS A CHILD IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN