ii. 518, says it is now (1850) danced with a handkerchief instead of a

cushion as formerly, and no words are used, but later correspondents contradict this. See also _N. and Q._, iii. 282.

(_d_) Two important suggestions occur as to this game. First, that the dance was originally the indication at a marriage ceremony for the bride and bridegroom to retire with "the bowster" to the nuptial couch. Secondly, that it has degenerated in Southern Britain to the ordinary "Drop Handkerchief" games of kiss in the ring. The preservation of this "Bab at the Bowster" example gives the clue both to the origin of the present game in an obsolete marriage custom, and to the descent of the game to its latest form. See "Cushion Dance."

Bad

A rude kind of "Cricket," played with a bat and a ball, usually with wall toppings for wickets. "Bad" seems to be the pronunciation or variation of "Bat." Halliwell says it was a rude game, formerly common in Yorkshire, and probably resembling the game of "Cat." There is such a game played now, but it is called "Pig."--Easther's _Almondbury Glossary_.

Baddin

The game of "Hockey" in Cheshire.--Holland's _Glossary_.

Badger the Bear

A rough game, sometimes seen in the country. The boy who personates the Bear performs his part on his hands and knees, and is prevented from getting away by a string. It is the part of another boy, his Keeper, to defend him from the attacks of the others.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

This is a boys' game, and is called "Buffet the Bear." It may be taken part in by any number. One boy--the Bear--goes down on all fours, and lowers his head towards his breast as much as possible. Into his hand is placed one end of a piece of cord, and another boy, called the Keeper, takes hold of the other end in one hand, while he has in the other his cap. The other boys stand round, some with their caps in hand, and others with their neckties or pocket-handkerchiefs, and on a given signal they rush on the Bear and pelt him, trying specially to buffet him about the ears and face, whilst the Keeper does his best to protect his charge. If he happens to strike a boy, that boy becomes the Bear, and the former Bear becomes the Keeper, and so on the game goes.--Keith, Banffshire (Rev. W. Gregor).

I saw this game played on Barnes Green, Surrey, on 25th August 1892. The boys, instead of using their hats, had pieces of leather tied to a string, with which they struck the Bear on the back. They could only begin when the Keeper cried, "My Bear is free." If they struck at any other time, the striker became the Bear. It is called "Baste the Bear."--A. B. Gomme.

Chambers (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 128) describes this game under the title of "The Craw." It was played precisely in the same way as the Barnes game. The boy who holds the end of the long strap has also a hard twisted handkerchief, called the _cout_; with this cout he defends the Craw against the attacks of the other boys, who also have similar couts. Before beginning, the Guard of the Craw must call out--

Ane, twa, three, my Craw's free.

The first one he strikes becomes the Craw. When the Guard wants a respite, he calls out--

Ane, twa, three, my Craw's no free.

(_b_) Jamieson defines "Badger-reeshil" as a severe blow; borrowed, it is supposed, from the hunting of the badger, or from the old game of "Beating the Badger."

Then but he ran wi' hasty breishell, And laid on Hab a badger-reishill.

--_MS. Poem._

Mr. Emslie says he knows it under the name of "Baste the Bear" in London, and Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) mentions a game similarly named. It is played at Marlborough under the name of "Tom Tuff."--H. S. May.

See "Doncaster Cherries."

Bag o' Malt

A bag o' malt, a bag o' salt, Ten tens a hundred.

--Northall's _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 394.

Two children stand back to back, linked near the armpits, and weigh each other as they repeat these lines.

See "Weigh the Butter."

Ball

I. Stottie ba', hinnie ba, tell to me How mony bairns am I to hae? Ane to live, and ane to dee, And ane to sit on the nurse's knee!

--Chambers' _Pop. Rhymes of Scotland_, p. 115.

II. Toss-a-ball, toss-a-ball, tell me true, How many years I've got to go through!

--Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 530.

(_b_) Children throw a ball in the air, repeating the rhyme, and divine the length of their lives by the number of times they can catch it again. In some places this game is played with a cowslip ball, thence called a "tissy-ball."

(_c_) I have heard other rhymes added to this, to determine whether the players shall marry or not, the future husband's calling, dress to be worn, method of going to church, &c. (A. B. Gomme). Strutt describes a handball game played during the Easter holidays for Tansy cakes (_Sports_, p. 94). Halliwell gives rhymes for ball divination (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 298) to determine the number of years before marriage will arrive. Miss Baker (_Northamptonshire Glossary_) says, "The May garland is suspended by ropes from the school-house to an opposite tree, and the Mayers amuse themselves by throwing balls over it. A native of Fotheringay, Mr. C. W. Peach," says Miss Baker, "has supplied me with the reminiscences of his own youth. He says the May garland was hung in the centre of the street, on a rope stretched from house to house. Then was made the trial of skill in tossing balls (small white leather ones) through the framework of the garland, to effect which was a triumph."

See "Cuck Ball," "Keppy Ball," "Monday."

Ball and Bonnets

This is a boys' game. The players may be of any number. They place their caps or bonnets in a row. One of the boys takes a ball, and from a fixed point, at a few yards' distance from the bonnets, tries to throw it into one of the caps (fig. 1). If the ball falls into the cap, all the boys, except the one into whose cap the ball has fallen, run off. The boy into whose cap the ball has been thrown goes up to it, lifts the ball from it, and calls out "Stop!" The other boys stop. The boy with the ball tries to strike one of the other boys (fig. 2). If he does so, a small stone is put into the cap of the boy struck. If he misses, a stone is put into his own cap. If the boy who is to pitch the ball into the cap misses, a stone is put into his own cap, and he makes another trial. The game goes on till six stones are put into one cap. The boy in whose cap are the six stones has to place his hand against a wall, when he receives a certain number of blows with the ball thrown with force by one of the players. The blows go by the name of "buns." The game may go on in the same way till each player gets his "buns."--Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

See "Hats in Holes."

Ball in the Decker

A row of boys' caps is set by a wall. One boy throws a ball into one of the caps. The owner of the cap runs away, and is chased by all the others till caught. He then throws the ball.--Dublin (Mrs. Lincoln).

Ball of Primrose

[Music]

We'll wear yellow ribbons, yellow ribbons, yellow ribbons, We'll wear yellow ribbons at the Ball of Primrose; We'll all go a-waltzing, a-waltzing, a-waltzing, We'll all go a-waltzing at the Ball of Primrose.

--Epworth, Doncaster; and Lossiemouth, Yorkshire (Charles C. Bell).

(_b_) The children form a ring, joining hands, and dance round singing the two first lines. Then loosing hands, they waltz in couples, singing as a refrain the last line. The game is continued, different coloured ribbons being named each time.

(_c_) This game was played in 1869, so cannot have arisen from the political movement.

Baloon

A game played with an inflated ball of strong leather, the ball being struck by the arm, which was defended by a bracer of wood.--Brand's _Pop. Antiq._, ii. 394.

(_b_) It is spelt "balloo" in Ben Jonson, iii. 216, and "baloome" in Randolph's _Poems_, 1643, p. 105. It is also mentioned in Middleton's _Works_, iv. 342, and by Donne.

"'Tis ten a clock and past; all whom the mues, _Baloun_, tennis, diet, or the stews Had all the morning held."

--Donne's _Poems_, p. 133.

Toone (_Etymological Dict._) says it is a game rather for exercise than contention; it was well known and practised in England in the fourteenth century, and is mentioned as one of the sports of Prince Henry, son of James I., in 1610. Strutt (_Sports and Pastimes_, p. 96) gives two illustrations of what he considers to be baloon ball play, from fourteenth century MSS.

Bandy-ball

A game played with sticks called "bandies," bent and round at one end, and a small wooden ball, which each party endeavours to drive to opposite fixed points. Northbrooke in 1577 mentions it as a favourite game in Devonshire (Halliwell's _Dict. of Provincialisms_). Strutt says the bat-stick was called a "bandy" on account of its being bent, and gives a drawing from a fourteenth century MS. book of prayers belonging to Mr. Francis Douce (_Sports_, p. 102). The bats in this drawing are nearly identical with modern golf-sticks, and "Golf" seems to be derived from this game. Peacock mentions it in his _Glossary of Manley and Corringham Words_. Forby has an interesting note in his _Vocabulary of East Anglia_, i. 14. He says, "The bandy was made of very tough wood, or shod with metal, or with the point of the horn or the hoof of some animal. The ball is a knob or gnarl from the trunk of a tree, carefully formed into a globular shape. The adverse parties strive to beat it with their bandies through one or other of the goals."

Bandy Cad or Gad

A game played with a nurr and crooked stick, also called "Shinty," and much the same as the "Hockey" of the South of England. "Cad" is the same as "cat" in the game of "Tip-cat;" it simply means a cut piece of wood.--Nodal and Milner's _Lancashire Glossary_.

Bandy-hoshoe

A game at ball common in Norfolk, and played in a similar manner to "Bandy" (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). Toone (_Etymological Dictionary_) says it is also played in Suffolk, and in West Sussex is called "Hawky."

Bandy-wicket

The game of "Cricket," played with a bandy instead of a bat (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). Toone mentions it as played in Norfolk (_Dict._), and Moor as played in Suffolk with bricks usually, or, in their absence, with bats in place of bails or stumps (_Suffolk Words_).

Banger

Each boy provides himself with a button. One of the boys lays his button on the ground, near a wall. The other boys snap their buttons in turn against the wall. If the button drops within one span or hand-reach of the button laid down, it counts two (fig. 2); if within two spans, it counts one. When it hits the button and bounces within one span, it counts four (fig. 1); within two spans, three; and above three spans, one. Each player snaps in turn for an agreed number; the first to score this number wins the game.--Deptford, Kent, and generally in London streets (Miss Chase).

This game is known in America as "Spans."--Newell, p. 188.

Bar

To play at "Bar," a species of game anciently used in Scotland.--Jamieson.

This game had in ancient times in England been simply denominated "Bars," or, as in an Act of James IV., 1491, edit. 1814, p. 227: "That na induellare within burgh . . . play at bar," "playing at Bars."

See "Prisoner's Base."

Barbarie, King of the

I. O will you surrender, O will you surrender To the King of the Barbarie?

We won't surrender, we won't surrender To the King of the Barbarie.

I'll go and complaint, I'll go and complaint To the King of the Barbarie.

You can go and complaint, you can go and complaint To the King of the Barbarie.

Good morning, young Prince, good morning, young Prince, I have a complaint for you.

What is your complaint? What is your complaint?

They won't surrender, they won't surrender To the King of the Barbarie.

Take one of my brave soldiers, Take one of my brave soldiers.

--Deptford, Kent (Miss Chase).

II. Will you surrender, will you surrender To the King of the Barbarines?

We won't surrender, we won't surrender To the King of the Barbarines.

We'll make you surrender, we'll make you surrender To the King of the Barbarines.

You can't make us surrender, you can't make us surrender To the King of the Barbarines.

We'll go to the King, we'll go to the King, To the King of the Barbarines.

You can go to the King, you can go to the King, To the King of the Barbarines.

--Clapham, Surrey (Miss F. D. Richardson).

III. Will you surrender, will you surrender The Tower of Barbaree?

We won't surrender, we won't surrender The Tower of Barbaree.

We will go and tell the Queen, Go and tell the Queen of Barbaree.

Don't care for the Queen, don't care for the Queen, The Queen of Barbaree.

Good morning, young Queen, good morning, young Queen, I have a complaint to thee.

Pray what is your complaint to me?

They won't surrender, they won't surrender The Tower of Barbaree.

Take one of my brave soldiers.

--Lady Camilla Gurdon's _Suffolk County Folk-lore_, p. 63.

IV. You must surrend' me, you must surrend' me To the Queen of Barbaloo.

No, we'll not surrend' you, no, we'll not surrend' you To the Queen of Barbaloo.

We'll complain, we'll complain, &c. [To the Queen of Barbaloo.]

You can complain, you can complain, &c. [To the Queen of Barbaloo.]

--Penzance (Mrs. Mabbott).

(_b_) Two children stand together joining hands tightly, to personate a fortress; one child stands at a distance from these to personate the King of Barbarie, with other children standing behind to personate the soldiers (fig. 1). Some of the soldiers go to the fortress and surround it, singing the first verse (fig. 2). The children in the fortress reply, the four first verses being thus sung alternately. The soldiers then go to the King singing the fifth verse (fig. 3), the remaining verses being thus sung alternately. One of the soldiers then goes to the fortress and endeavours by throwing herself on the clasped hands of the children forming the fortress to break down the guard (fig. 4). All the soldiers try to do this, one after the other; finally the King comes, who breaks down the guard. The whole troop of soldiers then burst through the parted arms (fig. 5).

This is the Deptford version. The Clapham version is almost identical; the children take hold of each others' skirts and make a long line. If the brave soldier is not able to break the clasped hands he goes to the end of the line of soldiers. The soldiers do not surround the fortress. In the Suffolk version the soldiers try to break through the girls' hands. If they do they have the tower. The Cornwall version is not so completely an illustration of the capture of a fortress.

Barley-break

Barley-break, or the Last Couple in Hell, was a game played by six people, three of each sex, who were coupled by lot. A piece of ground was then chosen, and divided into three compartments, of which the middle one was called Hell. It was the object of the couple condemned to this division to catch the others who advanced from the two extremities (figs. 1, 2), in which case a change of situation took place, and Hell was filled by the couple who were excluded by pre-occupation from the other place (fig. 3). In this catching, however, there was some difficulty, as by the regulations of the game the middle couple were not to separate before they had succeeded, while the others might break hands whenever they found themselves hard pressed. When all had been taken in turn, the last couple was said to be "in Hell," and the game ended.--Dekker's _Works_, iv. 434.

Jamieson calls this "a game generally played by young people in a corn-yard. Hence called _barla-bracks about the stacks_, S. B." (_i. e._, in the North of Scotland). "One stack is fixed on as the _dule_ or goal; and one person is appointed to catch the rest of the company, who run out from the _dule_. He does not leave it till they are all out of sight. Then he sets off to catch them. Any one who is taken cannot run out again with his former associates, being accounted a prisoner; but is obliged to assist his captor in pursuing the rest. When all are taken the game is finished; and he who was first taken is bound to act as catcher in the next game. This innocent sport seems to be almost entirely forgotten in the South of Scotland. It is also falling into desuetude in the North."

(_b_) The following description of Barley-break, written by Sir Philip Sidney, is taken from the song of Lamon, in the first volume of the _Arcadia_, where he relates the passion of Claius and Strephon for the beautiful Urania:--

She went abroad, thereby, At _barley-brake_ her sweet, swift foot to try. . . . Afield they go, where many lookers be.

Then couples three be straight allotted there, They of both ends, the middle two, do fly; The two that in mid-place Hell called were Must strive, with waiting foot and watching eye, To catch of them, and them to hell to bear, That they, as well as they, may hell supply; Like some that seek to salve their blotted name Will others blot, till all do taste of shame.

There may you see, soon as the middle two Do, coupled, towards either couple make, They, false and fearful, do their hands undo; Brother his brother, friend doth friend forsake, Heeding himself, cares not how fellow do, But of a stranger mutual help doth take; As perjured cowards in adversity, With sight of fear, from friends to friends do fly.

Sir John Suckling also has given a description of this pastime with allegorical personages, which is quoted by Brand. In Holiday's play of the _Marriages of the Arts_, 1618, this sport is introduced, and also by Herrick (_Hesperides_, p. 44). Barley-break is several times alluded to in Massinger's plays: see the _Dramatic Works of Philip Massinger_, 1779, i. 167. "We'll run at barley-break first, and you shall be in hell" (Dekker's _The Honest Whore_). "Hee's at barli-break, and the last couple are now in hell" (Dekker's _The Virgin Martir_). See Gifford's _Massinger_, i. 104, edit. 1813. See also Browne's _Britannia's Pastorals_, published in 1614, Book I., Song 3, p. 76.

Randle Holme mentions this game as prevailing in his day in Lancashire. Harland and Wilkinson believe this game to have left its traces in Yorkshire and Lancashire. A couple link hands and sally forth from _home_, shouting something like

Aggery, ag, ag, Ag's gi'en warning,

and trying to tick or touch with the free hand any of the boys running about separately. These latter try to slip behind the couple and throw their weight on the joined hands to separate them without being first touched or ticked; and if they sunder the couple, each of the severed ones has to carry one home on his back. Whoever is touched takes the place of the toucher in the linked couple (_Legends of Lancashire_, p. 138). The modern name of this game is "Prison Bars" (_Ibid._, p. 141). There is also a description of the game in a little tract called _Barley Breake; or, A Warning for Wantons_, 1607. It is mentioned in Wilbraham's _Cheshire Glossary_ as "an old Cheshire game." Barnes, in his _Dorsetshire Glossary_, says he has seen it played with one catcher on hands and knees in the small ring (Hell), and the others dancing round the ring crying "Burn the wold witch, you barley breech." Holland (_Cheshire Glossary_) also mentions it as an old Cheshire game.

See "Boggle about the Stacks," "Scots and English."

Barnes (Mr.)

Mr. Barnes is dead and gone, And left his widder, Three poor children in her arms; What will you give her?

Where did you come from?

--Played about 1850 at Hurstmonceux, Sussex (Miss Chase).

This is probably a forfeit game, imperfectly remembered. See "Old Soldier."

Base-ball

An undescribed Suffolk game.--Moor's _Suffolk Words_. See "Rounders."

Basket

[Music]

--London (A. B. Gomme).

In this game the children all follow one who is styled the "mother," singing:

I'll follow my mother to market, To buy a silver basket.

The mother presently turns and catches or pretends to beat them.--Dorsetshire (_Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 231).

We'll follow our mother to market, To buy herself a basket; When she comes home she'll break our bones, We'll follow our mother to market.

--Hersham, Surrey (_Folk-lore Record_, v. 84).

A version familiar to me is the same as above, but ending with

For tumbling over cherry stones.

The mother then chased and beat those children she caught. The idea was, I believe, that the children were imitating or mocking their mother (A. B. G.). In Warwickshire the four lines of the Surrey game are concluded by the additional lines--

We don't care whether we work or no, We'll follow our mother on tipty-toe.

When the mother runs after them and buffets them.--Northall's _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 393.

Battledore and Shuttlecock

See "Shuttlefeather."

Bedlams or Relievo

A number of boys agree to play at this game, and sides are picked. Five, for example, play on each side. A square is chalked out on a footpath by the side of a road, which is called the "Den;" five of the boys remain by the side of the Den, one of whom is called the "Tenter;" the Tenter has charge of the Den, and he must always stand with one foot in the Den and the other upon the road; the remaining five boys go out to field, it being agreed beforehand that they shall only be allowed to run within a prescribed area, or in certain roads or streets (fig. 1). As soon as the boys who have gone out to field have reached a certain distance--there is no limit prescribed--they shout "Relievo," and upon this signal the four boys standing by the side of the Den pursue them, leaving the Tenter in charge of the Den (fig. 2). When a boy is caught he is taken to the Den, where he is obliged to remain, unless the Tenter puts both his feet into the Den, or takes out the one foot which he ought always to keep in the Den. If the Tenter is thus caught tripping, the prisoner can escape from the Den. If during the progress of the game one of the boys out at field runs through the Den shouting "Relievo" without being caught by the Tenter, the prisoner is allowed to escape, and join his comrades at field. If one of the boys out at field is tired, and comes to stand by the side of the Den, he is not allowed to put his foot into the Den. If he does so the prisoner calls out, "There are two Tenters," and escapes if he can (fig. 3). When all the boys out at field have been caught and put into the Den, the process is reversed--the boys who have been, as it were, hunted, taking the place of the hunters. Sometimes the cry is "Delievo," and not "Relievo." One or two variations occur in the playing of this game. Sometimes the Tenter, instead of standing with one foot in the Den, stands as far off the prisoner as the prisoner can spit. The choosing of sides is done by tossing. Two boys are selected to toss. One of them throws up his cap, crying, "Pot!" or "Lid!" which is equivalent to "Heads and Tails." If, when a prisoner is caught, he cries out "Kings!" or "Kings to rest!" he is allowed to escape. The game is a very rough one.--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

Beds

Jamieson gives this as the Scottish name for "Hopscotch;" also Brockett, _North Country Words_.

Bell-horses

I. Bell-horses, bell-horses, what time of day? One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away! Bell-horses, bell-horses, what time of day? Two o'clock, three o'clock, four, and away! Five o'clock, six o'clock, now time to stay!

--Stanton Lacey (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 520).

II. Bellasay, bellasay, what time of day? One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away.

--Halliwell's _Nursery Rhymes_, p. 283.

(_b_) The children form long trains, standing one behind the other. They march and sing the first four lines, then the fifth line, when they stand and begin again as before.

(_c_) Miss Burne suggests a connection with the old pack-horses. Mr. Addy (_Sheffield Glossary_) gives the first two lines as a game. He says, "The first horse in a team conveying lead to be smelted wore bells, and was called the bell-horse." I remember when a child the two first lines being used to start children a race (A. B. G.). Chambers (_Pop. Rhymes_, p. 148) gives a similar verse, used for starting a race:--

Race horses, race horses, what time of day? One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away;

and these lines are also used for the same purpose in Cheshire (Holland's _Glossary_) and Somersetshire (Elworthy's _Glossary_). Halliwell, on the strength of the corrupted word "Bellasay," connects the game with a proverbial saying applied to the family of Bellasis; but there is no evidence of such a connection except the word-corruption. The rhyme occurs in _Gammer Gurton's Garland_, 1783, the last words of the second line being "time to away."

Bellie-mantie

The name for "Blind Man's Buff" in Upper Clydesdale. As anciently in this game he who was the chief actor was not only hoodwinked, but enveloped in the skin of an animal.--Jamieson.

See "Blind Man's Buff."

Belly-blind

The name for "Blind Man's Buff" in Roxburgh, Clydesdale, and other counties of the border. It is probable that the term is the same with "Billy Blynde," said to be the name of a familiar spirit or good genius somewhat similar to the brownie.--Jamieson.

See "Blind Man's Buff."

Bend-leather

A boys' phrase for a slide on a pond when the ice is thin and bends. There is a game on the ice called playing at "Bend-leather." Whilst the boys are sliding they say "Bend-leather, bend-leather, puff, puff, puff."--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

Betsy Bungay

[Music]

Hi, Betsy Bungay, all day on Sunday; You're the lock and I'm the key, All day on Monday.

--Kent (J. P. Emslie).

Two children cross their hands in the fashion known as a "sedan chair." A third child sits on their hands. The two sing the first line. One of them sings, "You're the lock," the other sings, "and I'm the key," and as they sang the words they unclasped their hands and dropped their companion on the ground. Mr. J. P. Emslie writes, "My mother learned this from her mother, who was a native of St. Laurence, in the Isle of Thanet. The game possibly belongs to Kent."

Bicky

In Somersetshire the game of "Hide and Seek." To _bik'ee_ is for the seekers to go and lean their heads against a wall, so as not to see where the others go to hide.--Elworthy's _Dialect_.

See "Hide and Seek."

Biddy-base

A Lincolnshire name for "Prisoner's Base."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_; Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_; Cole's _S. W. Lincolnshire Glossary_.

Biggly

Name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

Billet

The Derbyshire name for "Tip-cat."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Billy-base

A name for "Prisoner's Base."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Bingo

[Music]

--Leicestershire.

[Music]

--Hexham.

[Music]

--Derbyshire.

[Music]

--Earls Heaton, Yorks.

[Music]

--Enborne.

I. The miller's mill-dog lay at the mill-door, And his name was Little Bingo. B with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O, And his name was Little Bingo.

The miller he bought a cask of ale, And he called it right good Stingo. S with a T, T with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O, And he called it right good Stingo.

The miller he went to town one day, And he bought a wedding Ring-o! R with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O, And he bought a wedding Ring-o!

--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

II. A farmer's dog lay on the floor, And Bingo was his name O! B, i, n, g, o, B, i, n, g, o, And Bingo was his name O!

The farmer likes a glass of beer, I think he calls it Stingo! S, t, i, n, g, o, S, t, i, n, g, o! I think he calls it Stingo! S, t, i, n, g, O! I think he calls it Stingo!

--Market Drayton, Ellesmere, Oswestry (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 513).

III. There was a jolly farmer, And he had a jolly son, And his name was Bobby Bingo. BINGO, BINGO, BINGO, And Bingo was his name.

--Liphook, Hants; Wakefield, Yorks (Miss Fowler).

IV. There _was_ a farmer _had_ a dog, His name was Bobby Bingo. B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, His name was Bobby Bingo.

--Tean, Staffs.; and North Staffs. Potteries (Miss Keary).

V. The farmer's dog lay on the hearth, And Bingo was his name oh! B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, And Bingo was his name oh!

--Nottinghamshire (Miss Winfield).

VI. The miller's dog lay on the wall, And Bingo was his name Oh! B-i-n-g-o, And Bingo was his name Oh!

--Maxey, Northants (Rev. W. D. Sweeting).

VII. The shepherd's dog lay on the hearth, And Bingo was his name O. B i n g o, Bi, n, g, o, Bi-n-g-o, And Bingo was his name O.

--Eckington, Derbyshire (S. O. Addy).

VIII. Pinto went to sleep one night, And Pinto was his name oh! P-i-n-t-o, P-i-n-t-o, And Pinto was his name oh.

--Enbourne, Berks (Miss Kimber).

(_b_) In the Lancashire version, one child represents the Miller. The rest of the children stand round in a circle, with the Miller in the centre. All dance round and sing the verses. When it comes to the spelling part of the rhyme, the Miller points at one child, who must call out the right letter. If the child fails to do this she becomes Miller. In the Shropshire version, a ring is formed with one player in the middle. They dance round and sing the verses. When it comes to the spelling part, the girl in the middle cries B, and signals to another, who says I, the next to her N, the third G, the fourth "O! his name was Bobby Bingo!" Whoever makes a mistake takes the place of the girl in the middle. In the Liphook version, at the fourth line the children stand still and repeat a letter each in turn as quickly as they can, clapping their hands, and at the last line they turn right round, join hands, and begin again. In the Tean version, the one in the centre points, standing still, to some in the ring to say the letters B.I.N.G; the letter O has to be sung; if not, the one who says it goes in the ring, and repeats it all again until the game is given up. In the other Staffordshire version, when they stop, the one in the middle points to five of the others in turn, who have to say the letters forming "Bingo," while the one to whom O comes has to sing it on the note on which the others left off. Any one who says the wrong letter, or fails to sing the O right, takes the place of the middle one. The Northants version follows the Lancashire version, but if the answers are all made correctly, the last line is sung by the circle, and the game begins again. In the Metheringham version the child in the centre is blindfolded. When the song is over the girls say, "Point with your finger as we go round." The girl in the centre points accordingly, and whichever of the others happens to be opposite to her when she says "Stop!" is caught. If the blindfolded girl can identify her captive they exchange places, and the game goes on as before. The Forest of Dean and the Earls Heaton versions are played the same as the Lancashire. In the West Cornwall version, as seen played in 1884, a ring is formed, into the middle of which goes a child holding a stick; the others with joined hands run round in a circle, singing the verses. When they have finished singing they cease running, whilst the one in the centre, pointing with his stick, asks them in turn to spell Bingo. If they all spell it correctly they again move round singing; but should either of them make a mistake, he or she has to take the place of the middle man (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 58). In the Hexham version they sing a second verse, which is the same as the first with the name spelt _backwards_. The Berks version is practically the same as the Tean version. The Eckington (Derbyshire) version is played as follows:--A number of young women form a ring. A man stands within the ring, and they sing the words. He then makes choice of a girl, who takes his arm. They both walk round the circle while the others sing the same lines again. The girl who has been chosen makes choice of a young man in the ring, who in his turn chooses another girl, and so on till they have all paired off.

(_c_) The first verse of the Shropshire version is also sung at Metheringham, near Lincoln (C. C. Bell), and Cowes, I. W. (Miss E. Smith). The Staffordshire version of the words is sung in Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (Miss Matthews), West Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 58), Earls Heaton, Yorkshire (H. Hardy), Hexham, Northumberland (Miss Barker), Leicester (Miss Ellis). Miss Peacock says, "A version is known in Lincolnshire." Tunes have also been sent from Tean, North Staffs. (Miss Keary), and Epworth, Doncaster (Mr. C. C. Bell), which are nearly identical with the Leicester tune; from Market Drayton (Miss Burne), similar to the Derbyshire tune; from Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy), which appears to be only the latter part of the tune, and is similar to those given above. The tune given by Rimbault is not the same as those collected above, though there is a certain similarity.

The editor of _Northamptonshire Notes and Queries_, vol. i. p. 214, says, "Some readers will remember that Byngo is the name of the 'Franklyn's dogge' that Ingoldsby introduces into a few lines described as a portion of a primitive ballad, which has escaped the researches of Ritson and Ellis, but is yet replete with beauties of no common order." In the _Nursery Songs_ collected by Ed. Rimbault from oral tradition is "Little Bingo." The words of this are very similar to the Lancashire version of the game sent by Miss Dendy. There is an additional verse in the nursery song.

Bird-apprentice

A row of boys or girls stands parallel with another row opposite. Each of the first row chooses the name of some bird, and a member of the other row then calls out all the names of birds he can think of. If the middle member of the first row has chosen either of them, he calls out "Yes," and all the guessers immediately run to take the place of the first row, the members of which attempt to catch them. If any succeed, they have the privilege of riding in on their captives' backs.--Ogbourne, Wilts (H. S. May).

Birds, Beasts, and Fishes

B × × × × × × × h = Bullfinch

E × × × × × × t = Elephant

S × × × × × × × h = Swordfish

This is a slate game, and two or more children play. One writes the initial and final letters of a bird's, beast's, or fish's name, making crosses (×) instead of the intermediate letters of the word, stating whether the name is that of bird, beast, or fish. The other players must guess in turn what the name is. The first one who succeeds takes for himself the same number of marks as there are crosses in the word, and then writes the name of anything he chooses in the same manner. If the players are unsuccessful in guessing the name, the writer takes the number to his own score and writes another. The game is won when one player gains a certain number of marks previously decided upon as "game."--Barnes (A. B. Gomme).

Bittle-battle

The Sussex game of "Stoolball." There is a tradition that this game was originally played by the milkmaids with their milking-stools, which they used for bats; but this word makes it more probable that the stool was the wicket, and that it was defended with the bittle, which would be called the bittle-bat.--Parish's _Sussex Dialect_.

See "Stoolball."

Bitty-base

Bishop Kennet (in _MS. Lansd._ 1033) gives this name as a term for "Prisoner's Base."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Black Man's Tig

A long rope is tied to a gate or pole, and one of the players holds the end of the rope, and tries to catch another player. When he succeeds in doing so the one captured joins him (by holding hands) and helps to catch the other players. The game is finished when all are caught.--Cork (Miss Keane).

Black Thorn

[Music]

--Earls Heaton, Yorks.

I. Blackthorn! Butter-milk and barley-corn; How many geese have you to-day? As many as you can catch and carry away.

--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

II. Blackthorn! Blackthorn! Blue milk and barley-corn; How many geese have you to-day? More than you can catch and carry away.

--Harland and Wilkinson's _Lancashire Folk-lore_, p. 150.

III. Blackthorn! New milk and barley-corn; How many sheep have you to sell? More nor yo can catch and fly away wi'.

--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

IV. Blackthorn! Butter-milk and barley-corn; How many sheep have you to-day? As many as you catch and carry away.

--Earls Heaton, Yorkshire (Herbert Hardy).

(_b_) One set of children stand against a wall, another set stand opposite, facing them. The first set sing the first line, the others replying with the second line, and so with the third and fourth lines. The two sides then rush over to each other, and the second set are caught. The child who is caught last becomes one of the first set for another game. This is the Earls Heaton version. The Lancashire game, as described by Miss Dendy, is: One child stands opposite a row of children, and the row run over to the opposite side, when the one child tries to catch them. The prisoners made, join the one child, and assist her in the process of catching the others. The rhyme is repeated in each case until all are caught, the last one out becoming "Blackthorn" for a new game. Harland and Wilkinson describe the game somewhat differently. Each player has a mark, and after the dialogue the players run over to each other's marks, and if any can be caught before getting home to the opposite mark, he has to carry his captor to the mark, when he takes his place as an additional catcher.

(_c_) Miss Burne's version (_Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 521) is practically the same as the Earls Heaton game, and Easther in his _Almondbury Glossary_ gives a version practically like the Sheffield. Mr. Hardy says it is sometimes called "Black-butt," when the opposite side cry "Away we cut." Miss Dendy quotes an old Lancashire rhyme, which curiously refers to the different subjects in the Lancashire game rhyme. It is as follows:--

Little boy, little boy, where were you born? Way up in Lancashire, under a thorn, Where they sup butter-milk in a ram's horn.

Another version is given in _Notes and Queries_, 3rd Series, vii. 285.

(_d_) This is a dramatic game, in which the children seem to personate animals, and to depict events belonging to the history of the flock. Miss Burne groups it under her "dramatic games."

Blind Bell

A game formerly common in Berwickshire, in which all the players were hoodwinked except the person who was called the Bell. He carried a bell, which he rung, still endeavouring to keep out of the way of his hoodwinked partners in the game. When he was taken, the person who seized him was released from the bandage, and got possession of the bell, the bandage being transferred to him who was laid hold of.--Jamieson.

(_b_) In "The Modern Playmate," edited by Rev. J. G. Wood, this game is described under the name of "Jingling." Mr. Wood says there is a rougher game played at country feasts and fairs in which a pig takes the place of the boy with the bell, but he does not give the locality (p. 7). Strutt also describes it (_Sports_, p. 317).

Blind Bucky-Davy

In Somersetshire the game of "Blind Man's Buff." Also in Cornwall (see Couch's _Polperro_, p. 173). Pulman says this means "Blind buck and have ye" (Elworthy's _Dialect_).

Blind Harie

A name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Jamieson.

Blind Hob

The Suffolk name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_; Moor's _Suffolk Glossary_.

Blind Man's Buff

I. Come, shepherd, come, shepherd, and count your sheep. I canna come now, for I'm fast asleep. If you don't come now they'll all be gone. What's in my way? A bottle of hay. Am I over it?

--Shrewsbury (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 525).

II. How many fingers do I hold up? Four, three, &c. [at random in reply]. How many horses has your father? Three [fixed reply]. What colour? White, red, and grey. Turn you about three times; Catch whom you may!

--Deptford (Miss Chase).

III. How many horses has your father got in his stables? Three. What colour are they? Red, white, and grey. Then turn about, and twist about, and catch whom you may.

--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 57, 58).

IV. Antony Blindman kens ta me Sen I bought butter and cheese o' thee? I ga' tha my pot, I ga' tha my pan, I ga' tha a' I hed but a rap ho'penny I gave a poor oald man.

--Cumberland (Dickinson's _Glossary_).

(_b_) In the Deptford version one of the players is blindfolded. The one who blindfolds ascertains that the player cannot see by putting the first question. When the players are satisfied that the blindfolding is complete, the dialogue follows, and the blind man is turned round three times. The game is for him to catch one of the players, who is blindfolded in turn if the blind man succeeds in guessing who he is. Players are allowed to pull, pinch, and buffet the blind man.

(_c_) This sport is found among the illuminations of an old missal formerly in the possession of John Ives, cited by Strutt in his _Manners and Customs_. The two illustrations are facsimiles from drawings in one of the Bodleian MSS., and they indicate the complete covering of the head, and also the fact that the game was played by adults. Gay says concerning it--

As once I play'd at _blindman's-buff_, it hap't, _About my eyes the towel thick was wrapt._ _I miss'd the swains, and seiz'd on Blouzelind._

And another reference is quoted by Brand (ii. 398)--

Sometyme the one would goe, sometyme the other, Sometymes all thre at once, and sometyme neither; Thus they with him play at boyes blynde-man-bluffe.

--_The Newe Metamorphosis_, 1600, MS.

Other names for this game are "Belly Mantie," "Billy Blind," "Blind Bucky Davy," "Blind Harie," "Blind Hob," "Blind Nerry Mopsey," "Blind Palmie," "Blind Sim," "Buck Hid," "Chacke Blynd Man," "Hoodle-cum-blind," "Hoodman Blind," "Hooper's Hide," "Jockie Blind Man."

(_d_) There is some reason for believing that this game can be traced up to very ancient rites connected with prehistoric worship. The name "Billy Blind" denoted the person who was blindfolded in the game, as may be seen by an old poem by Lyndsay, quoted by Jamieson:

War I ane King I sould richt sone mak reformatioun Farlyeand thairof your grace sould richt sone finde That Preistis sall leid yow lyke are bellye blinde.

And also in Clerk's _Advice to Luvaris_:

Sum festnit is and ma not flé, Sum led is lyk the belly blynd With luve, war bettir lat it be.

"It is probable," says Jamieson, "that the term is the same as Billy Blynde, said to be the name of a familiar spirit or good genius somewhat similar to the brownie." Professor Child identifies it with Odin, the blind deity. Another name in Scotland is also "Blind Harie," which is not the common Christian name "Harry," because this was not a name familiar in Scotland. Blind Harie may therefore, Jamieson thinks, arise from the rough or hairy attire worn by the principal actor. Auld Harie is one of the names given to the devil, and also to the spirit Brownie, who is represented as a hairy being. Under "Coolin," a curious Highland custom is described by Jamieson, which is singularly like the game of "Belly Blind," and assists in the conclusion that the game has descended from a rite where animal gods were represented. Sporting with animals before sacrificing them was a general feature at these rites. It is known that the Church opposed the people imitating beasts, and in this connection it is curious to note that in South Germany the game is called _blind bock_, i. e., "blind goat," and in German _blinde kuhe_, or "blind cow." In Scotland, one of the names for the game, according to A. Scott's poems, was "Blind Buk":

Blind buk! but at the bound thou schutes, And them forbeirs that the rebutes.

It may therefore be conjectured that the person who was hoodwinked assumed the appearance of a goat, stag, or cow by putting on the skin of one of those animals.

He who is twice crowned or touched on the head by the taker or him who is hoodwinked, instead of once only, according to the law of the game, is said to be _brunt_ (burned), and regains his liberty.--Jamieson.

Blind Man's Stan

A boys' game, played with the eggs of small birds. The eggs are placed on the ground, and the player who is blindfolded takes a certain number of steps in the direction of the eggs; he then slaps the ground with a stick thrice in the hope of breaking the eggs; then the next player, and so on.--Patterson's _Antrim and Down Glossary_.

Blind Nerry-Mopsey

The Whitby name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Robinson's _Glossary_.

Blind Palmie or Pawmie

One of the names given to the game of "Blindman's Buff."--Jamieson.

Blind Sim

Suffolk name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Forby's _Vocabulary of East Anglia_.

Block, Haimmer (Hammer), and Nail

This is a boys' game, and requires seven players. One boy, the Block, goes down on all fours; another, the Nail, does the same behind the Block, with his head close to his _a posteriori_ part. A third boy, the Hammer, lies down on his back behind the two. Of the remaining four boys one stations himself at each leg and one at each arm of the Hammer, and he is thus lifted. He is swung backwards and forwards three times in this position by the four, who keep repeating "Once, twice, thrice." When the word "Thrice" is repeated, the _a posteriori_ part of the Hammer is knocked against the same part of the Nail. Any number of knocks may be given, according to the humour of the players.--Keith (Rev. W. Gregor).

A fellow lies on all fours--this is the Block; one steadies him before--this is the Study; a third is made a Hammer of, and swung by boys against the Block (Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_). Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) mentions a game, "Hammer, Block, and Bible," which is probably the same game.

Blow-point

Strutt considers this to have been a children's game, played by blowing an arrow through a trunk at certain numbers by way of lottery (_Sports_, p. 403). Nares says the game was blowing small pins or points against each other, and probably not unlike "Push-pin." Marmion in his _Antiquary_, 1641, says: "I have heard of a nobleman that has been drunk with a tinker, and of a magnifico that has played at blow-point." In the _Comedy of Lingua_, 1607, act iii., sc. 2, Anamnestes introduces Memory as telling "how he played at blowe-point with Jupiter when he was in his side-coats." References to this game are also made in _Apollo Shroving_, 1627, p. 49; and see Hawkins' _English Drama_, iii. 243.

See "Dust-Point."

Bob Cherry

A children's game, consisting in jumping at cherries above their heads and trying to catch them with their mouths (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). It is alluded to in Herrick's _Hesperides_ as "Chop Cherry." Major Lowsley describes the game as taking the end of a cherry-stalk between the teeth, and holding the head perfectly level, trying to get the cherry into the mouth without using the hands or moving the head (_Berkshire Glossary_). It is also mentioned in Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_. Strutt gives a curious illustration of the game in his _Sports and Pastimes_, which is here reproduced from the original MS. in the British Museum.

The Staffordshire St. Clement Day custom (Poole's _Staffordshire Customs, &c._, p. 36) and the northern Hallowe'en custom (Brockett's _North-Country Words_) probably indicate the origin of this game from an ancient rite.

Boggle about the Stacks

A favourite play among young people in the villages, in which one hunts several others (Brockett's _North-Country Words_). The game is alluded to in one of the songs given by Ritson (ii. 3), and Jamieson describes it as a Scottish game.

See "Barley-break."

Boggle-bush

The child's play of finding the hidden person in the company.--Robinson's _Whitby Glossary_. See "Hide and Seek."

Bonnety

This is a boys' game. The players place their bonnets or caps in a pile. They then join hands and stand in a circle round it. They then pull each other, and twist and wriggle round and round and over it, till one overturns it or knocks a bonnet off it. The player who does so is hoisted on the back of another, and pelted by all the others with their bonnets.--Keith, Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

Booman

[Music]

--Norfolk.

Dill doule for Booman, Booman is dead and gone, Left his wife all alone, and all his children.

Where shall we bury him? Carry him to London; By his grandfather's grave grows a green onion.

Dig his grave wide and deep, strow it with flowers; Toll the bell, toll the bell, twenty-four hours.

--Norfolk, 1825-30 (J. Doe).

(_b_) One boy lies down and personates Booman. Other boys form a ring round him, joining hands and alternately raising and lowering them, to imitate bell-pulling, while the girls who play sit down and weep. The boys sing the first verse. The girls seek for daisies or any wild flowers, and join in the singing of the second verse, while the boys raise the prostrate Booman and carry him about. When singing the third verse the boys act digging a grave, and the dead boy is lowered. The girls strew flowers over the body. When finished another boy becomes Booman.

(_c_) This game is clearly dramatic, to imitate a funeral. Mr. Doe writes, "I have seen somewhere [in Norfolk] a tomb with a crest on it--a leek--and the name Beaumont," but it does not seem necessary to thus account for the game.

Boss-out

A game at marbles. Strutt describes it as follows:--"One bowls a marble to any distance that he pleases, which serves as a mark for his antagonist to bowl at, whose business it is to hit the marble first bowled, or lay his own near enough to it for him to span the space between them and touch both the marbles. In either case he wins. If not, his marble remains where it lay, and becomes a mark for the first player, and so alternately until the game be won."--_Sports_, p. 384.

Boss and Span

The same as "Boss-out." It is mentioned, but not described, in Baker's _Northamptonshire Glossary_.

Boys and Girls

[Music]

--_The Dancing Master_, 1728, vol. ii., p. 138.

Boys, boys, come out to play, The moon doth shine as bright as day; Come with a whoop, come with a call, Come with a goodwill or don't come at all; Lose your supper and lose your sleep, So come to your playmates in the street.

--_Useful Transactions in Philosophy_, p. 44.

This rhyme is repeated when it is decided to begin any game, as a general call to the players. The above writer says it occurs in a very ancient MS., but does not give any reference to it. Halliwell quotes the four first lines, the first line reading "Boys and girls," instead of "Boys, boys," from a curious ballad written about the year 1720, formerly in the possession of Mr. Crofton Croker (_Nursery Rhymes_). Chambers also gives this rhyme (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 152).

Branks

A game formerly common at fairs, called also "Hit my Legs and miss my Pegs."--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

Bridgeboard

A game at marbles. The boys have a board a foot long, four inches in depth, and an inch (or so) thick, with squares as in the diagram; any number of holes at the ground edge, numbered irregularly. The board is placed firmly on the ground, and each player bowls at it. He wins the number of marbles denoted by the figure above the opening through which his marble passes. If he misses a hole, his marble is lost to the owner of the Bridgeboard.--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy). [The owner or keeper of the Bridgeboard presumably pays those boys who succeed in winning marbles.]

See "Nine Holes."

Broken-down Tradesmen

A boys' game, undescribed.--Patterson's _Antrim and Down Glossary_.

Brother Ebenezer

Ebenezer is sent out of the room, and the remainder choose one of themselves. Two children act in concert, it being understood that the last person speaking when Ebenezer goes out of the room is the person to be chosen. The medium left in the room causes the others to think of this person without letting them know that they are not choosing of their own free will. The medium then says, "Brother Ebenezer, come in," and asks him in succession, "Was it William, or Jane," &c., mentioning several names before saying the right one, Ebenezer saying "No!" to all until the one is mentioned who last spoke.--Bitterne, Hants (Mrs. Byford).

Bubble-hole

A child's game, undescribed.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Bubble-justice

The name of a game probably the same as "Nine Holes."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Buck, Buck

A boy stoops so that his arms rest on a table; another boy sits on him as he would on a horse. He then holds up (say) three fingers, and says--

Buck, buck, how many horns do I hold up?

The stooping boy guesses, and if he says a wrong number the other says--

[Two] you say and three there be; Buck, buck, how many horns do I hold up?

When the stooping boy guesses rightly the other says--

[Four] you say and [four] there be; Buck, buck, rise up.

The boy then gets off and stoops for the other one to mount, and the game is played again.--London (J. P. Emslie).

Similar action accompanies the following rhyme:--

Inkum, jinkum, Jeremy buck, Yamdy horns do au cock up? Two thà sès, and three there is, Au'll lea'n thee to la'ke at Inkum.

--Almondbury (Easther's _Glossary_).

A different action occurs in other places. It is played by three boys in the following way:--One stands with his back to a wall; the second stoops down with his head against the stomach of the first boy, "forming a back;" the third jumps on it, and holds up his hand with the fingers distended, saying--

Buck shee, buck shee buck, How many fingers do I hold up?

Should the stooper guess correctly, they all change places, and the jumper forms the back. Another and not such a rough way of playing this game is for the guesser to stand with his face towards a wall, keeping his eyes shut.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 59).

In Nairn, Scotland, the game is called Post and Rider. One boy, the Post, takes his stand beside a wall. Another boy stoops down with his head touching the Post's breast. Several other boys stoop down in the same way behind the first boy, all in line. The Rider then leaps on the back of the boy at the end of the row of stooping boys, and from his back to that of the one in front, and so on from back to back till he reaches the boy next the Post. He then holds up so many fingers, and says--

Buck, buck, how many fingers do I hold up?

The boy makes a guess. If the number guessed is wrong, the Rider gives the number guessed as well as the correct number, and again holds up so many, saying--

[Four] you say, but [two] it is; Buck, buck, how many fingers do I hold up?

This goes on till the correct number is guessed, when the guesser becomes the Rider. The game was called "Buck, Buck" at Keith. Three players only took part in the game--the Post, the Buck, and the Rider. The words used by the Rider were--

Buck, buck, how many horns do I hold up?

If the guess was wrong, the Rider gave the Buck as many blows or kicks with the heel as the difference between the correct number and the number guessed. This process went on till the correct number was guessed, when the Rider and the Buck changed places.--Rev. W. Gregor.

(_b_) Dr. Tylor says: "It is interesting to notice the wide distribution and long permanence of these trifles in history when we read the following passage from Petronius Arbiter, written in the time of Nero:--'Trimalchio, not to seem moved by the loss, kissed the boy, and bade him get up on his back. Without delay the boy climbed on horseback on him, and slapped him on the shoulders with his hand, laughing and calling out, "Bucca, bucca, quot sunt hic?"'--_Petron. Arbitri Satiræ_, by Buchler, p. 84 (other readings are _buccæ_ or _bucco_)."--_Primitive Culture_, i. 67.

Buck i' t' Neucks

A rude game amongst boys.--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

Buckerels

"A kind of play used by boys in London streets in Henry VIII.'s time, now disused, and I think forgot" (Blount's _Glossographia_, p. 95). Hall mentions this game, temp. Henry VIII., f. 91.

Buckey-how

For this the boys divide into sides. One "stops at home," the other goes off to a certain distance agreed on beforehand and shouts "Buckey-how." The boys "at home" then give chase, and when they succeed in catching an adversary, they bring him home, and there he stays until all on his side are caught, when they in turn become the chasers.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 60).

Buff

1st player, thumping the floor with a stick: "Knock, knock!" 2nd ditto: "Who's there?" 1st: "Buff." 2nd: "What says Buff?" 1st: "Buff says Buff to all his men, And I say Buff to you again!" 2nd: "Methinks Buff smiles?" 1st: "Buff neither laughs nor smiles, But looks in your face With a comical grace, And delivers the staff to you again" (handing it over).

--Shropshire (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 526).

Same verses as in Shropshire, except the last, which runs as follows:--

Buff neither laughs nor smiles, But strokes his face With a very good grace, And delivers his staff to you.

--Cheltenham (Miss E. Mendham).

Same verses as in Shropshire, except the last, which runs as follows:--

Buff neither laughs nor smiles, But strokes his face for want of grace, And sticks his staff in the right place.

--London (J. P. Emslie).

(_b_) Five or six children stand in a row. Another child comes up to the first of the row, and strikes smartly on the ground with a stick. The child facing him asks the first question, and the one with the stick answers. At "strokes his face" he suits the action to the words, and then thumps with his stick on the ground at the beginning of the last line. The object of all the players is to make Buff smile while going through this absurdity, and if he does he must pay a forfeit.

Another version is for one child to be blindfolded, and stand in the middle of a ring of children, holding a long wand in his hand. The ring dance round to a tune and sing a chorus [which is not given by the writer]. They then stop. Buff extends his wand, and the person to whom it happens to be pointed must step out of the circle to hold the end in his hand. Buff then interrogates the holder of the wand by grunting three times, and is answered in like manner. Buff then guesses who is the holder of the wand. If he guesses rightly, the holder of the stick becomes Buff, and he joins the ring (_Winter Evening's Amusements_, p. 6). When I played at this game the ring of children walked in silence three times only round Buff, then stopped and knelt or stooped down on the ground, strict silence being observed. Buff asked three questions (anything he chose) of the child to whom he pointed the stick, who replied by imitating cries of animals or birds (A. B. Gomme).

(_c_) This is a well-known game. It is also called "Buffy Gruffy," or "Indian Buff." The Dorsetshire version in _Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 238, 239, is the same as the Shropshire version. Halliwell (_Nursery Rhymes_, cclxxxii.) gives a slight variant. It is also given by Mr. Addy in his _Sheffield Glossary_, the words being the same except the last two lines, which run--

But shows his face with a comely grace, And leaves his staff at the very next place.

Buk-hid

This seems to be an old name for some game, probably "Blindman's Buff," Sw. "Blind-bock," q. "bock" and "hufwud head" (having the head resembling a goat). The sense, however, would agree better with "Bo-peep" or "Hide and Seek."--Jamieson.

Bull in the Park

One child places himself in the centre of a circle of others. He then asks each of the circle in turn, "Where's the key of the park?" and is answered by every one, except the last, "Ask the next-door neighbour." The last one answers, "Get out the way you came in." The centre one then makes a dash at the hands of some of the circle, and continues to do so until he breaks through, when all the others chase him. Whoever catches him is then Bull.--Liphook, Hants (Miss Fowler).

"The Bull in the Barn" is apparently the same game. The players form a ring; one player in the middle called the Bull, one outside called the King.

Bull: "Where is the key of the barn-door?"

Chorus: "Go to the next-door neighbour."

King: "She left the key in the church-door."

Bull: "Steel or iron?"

He then forces his way out of the ring, and whoever catches him becomes Bull.--Berrington (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, pp. 519, 520).

Another version is that the child in the centre, whilst the others danced around him in a circle, saying, "Pig in the middle and can't get out," replies, "I've lost my key but I will get out," and throws the whole weight of his body suddenly on the clasped hands of a couple, to try and unlock them. When he had succeeded he changed the words to, "I've broken your locks, and I have got out." One of the pair whose hands he had opened took his place, and he joined the ring.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 50).

(_b_) Mr. S. O. Addy says the following lines are said or sung in a game called "T' Bull's i' t' Barn," but he does not know how it is played:--

As I was going o'er misty moor I spied three cats at a mill-door; One was white and one was black, And one was like my granny's cat. I hopped o'er t' style and broke my heel, I flew to Ireland very weel, Spied an old woman sat by t' fire, Sowing silk, jinking keys; Cat's i' t' cream-pot up to t' knees, Hen's i' t' hurdle crowing for day, Cock's i' t' barn threshing corn, I ne'er saw the like sin' I was born.

Bulliheisle

A play amongst boys, in which, all having joined hands in a line, a boy at one of the ends stands still, and the rest all wind round him. The sport especially consists in an attempt to heeze or throw the whole mass on the ground.--Jamieson.

See "Eller Tree," "Wind up Jack," "Wind up the Bush Faggot."

Bummers

A play of children. "Bummers--a thin piece of wood swung round by a cord" (_Blackwood's Magazine_, Aug. 1821, p. 35). Jamieson says the word is evidently denominated from the booming sound produced.

Bun-hole

A hole is scooped out in the ground with the heel in the shape of a small dish, and the game consists in throwing a marble as near to this hole as possible. Sometimes, when several holes are made, the game is called "Holy."--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_; _Notes and Queries_, xii. 344.

Bunch of Ivy

Played by children in pairs (one kneeling and one standing) in a ring. The inner child of each pair kneels. The following dialogue begins with the inner circle asking the first question, which is replied to by the outer circle.

"What time does the King come home?"

"One o'clock in the afternoon."

"What has he in his hand?"

"A bunch of ivy."

The rhyme is repeated for every hour up to six, the outer circle running round the inner as many times as the number named. The children then change places and repeat.--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

Bung the Bucket

[Music]

--London (J. P. Emslie).

A number of boys divide themselves into two sides. One side, the Buckets, stoop down, as for "Leap-frog," arranging themselves one in front of the other. The hindmost supports himself against the one in front of him, and the front one supports himself against a wall (fig.). They thus make an even and solid row of their backs. The other side, the Bungs, leap on to the backs of the Buckets, the first one going as far up the row as possible, the second placing himself close behind the first, and so on. If they all succeed in getting a secure place, they cry out twice the two first lines--

Bung the Bucket, One, two, three. Off, off, off!

If no breakdown occurs, the Buckets count one in their favour, and the Bungs repeat the process. When a breakdown occurs the Bungs take the place of the Buckets.--Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).

(_b_) Mr. Emslie, to whom I am indebted for the tune to this game, gives me the words as--

Jump a little nag-tail, One, two, three.

He says, "I once heard this sung three times, followed by 'Ha! ha! he!' to the tune of the last bar." Mr. W. R. Emslie says the game is known at Beddgelert as "Horses, Wild Horses," he believes, but is not quite certain.

Northall (_Rhymes_, p. 401) describes a game very similar to this under "Buck," in which the rhyme and method of play is the same as in that game. He continues, "This is closely allied to a game called in Warwickshire 'Jack upon the Mopstick.' But in this there is no guessing. The leaping party must maintain their position whilst their leader says--

Jack upon the mopstick, One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Count 'em off again."

Bunting

Name for "Tip-cat."--Cole's _S. W. Lincolnshire_ Glossary.

Burly Whush

A game played at with a ball. The ball is thrown up by one of the players on a house or wall, who cries on the instant it is thrown to another to catch or kep it before it falls to the ground. They all run off but this one to a little distance, and if he fails in kepping it he bawls out "Burly Whush;" then the party are arrested in their flight, and must run away no farther. He singles out one of them then, and throws the ball at him, which often is directed so fair as to strike; then this one at which the ball has been thrown is he who gives "Burly Whush" with the ball to any he chooses. If the corner of a house be at hand, as is mostly the case, and any of the players escape behind it, they must still show one of their hands past its edge to the Burly Whush man, who sometimes hits it such a whack with the ball as leaves it dirling for an hour afterwards.--Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_.

See "Ball," "Keppy Ball," "Monday."

Buttons

Two or more boys take two buttons in their right hands, and try to throw them both into a small hole in the ground about two yards off. The boy who succeeds in getting both buttons in begins first next game, and takes a button as prize. [This seems merely a mild form of marbles.]--Lincolnshire (Rev. ---- Roberts).

There were several games played with buttons--some on level ground, in a ring or square; but the most approved was with a hole dug in the earth near a wall, or near the trunk of a large tree. The hole should be about the cavity of a small tea-cup, the players toeing a scratched line about four or five feet from the hole, after tossing for first innings. Each of the players (mostly two) contribute an equal number of buttons, say from two to ten, and of equal value or quality. The one having first turn takes the whole of them in his hand, and by an under-throw, or rather a pitch, endeavours to get the whole, or as many as possible, into the hole. If all go clean into the hole, he wins the game, and takes the whole of the buttons started with; but if one or more of the buttons are left outside the hole, the non-player has then the choice of selecting one which he considers difficult to be hit, and requesting the player to hit it with his _nicker_. This is made of solid lead, about the size of a florin, but twice its substance, and each player is provided with one of his own. Much judgment is required in making this selection, the object being to make it most difficult not only to hit it, but to prevent it being hit without being knocked into the hole, or sending the nicker in, or sending another button in, or even not striking one at all. In any one of these cases the player loses the game, and the non-player takes the whole of the stakes. In playing the next game, the previous non-player becomes the player.--London (C. A. T. M.).

The following was the value of the buttons:--

(1.) The plain metal 3 or 4-holed flat button, called a Sinkie, say, value 1 point.

(2.) The same kind of button, with letters or inscription on the rim, valued at 2 points.

(3.) The small metal shank button, called a Shankie, without any inscription, valued at 3 points; if with inscription, at 4 points; the large sizes and corresponding description were valued relatively 4 and 5 points.

(4.) The small Shankies, with a crest (livery waistcoat buttons), 6 points, and the large corresponding, 7 points.

(5.) The small Shankies, with coat of arms, value 8 points, and the large corresponding, 9 points.

(6.) Ornamental and various other buttons, such as regimental, official, mounted and engraved in flowers, and other designs according to arrangement, up to 20 points.

See "Banger," "Cots and Twisses."

Buzz and Bandy

A local name for "Hockey," which was formerly a very popular game among the young men of Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock. Called simply "Bandy" at Ludlow and Newport.--_Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 525.

Cache-pole

The game of "Tennis."--Jamieson.

Caiche

The game of "Handball."

Thocht I preich nocht I can play at the caiche. I wait thair is nocht ane among you all Mair ferilie can play at the fute ball.

--Lyndsay's _S. P. Repr_., ii. 243.

This language Lyndsay puts into the mouth of a Popish parson. The game seems to be that of ball played with the hand, as distinguished from "Football."--Jamieson.

See "Ball."

Call-the-Guse

This game is supposed by Jamieson to be equivalent to "Drive the Goose," and the game seems to be the same with one still played by young people in some parts of Angus, in which one of the company, having something that excites ridicule unknowingly pinned behind, is pursued by all the rest, who still cry out, "Hunt the Goose!"--Jamieson.

Camp

A game formerly much in use among schoolboys, and occasionally played by men in those parts of Suffolk on the sea coast--more especially in the line of Hollesley Bay between the Rivers Orwell and Alde, sometimes school against school, or parish against parish. It was thus played: Goals were pitched at the distance of 150 or 200 yards from each other; these were generally formed of the thrown-off clothes of the competitors. Each party has two goals, ten or fifteen yards apart. The parties, ten or fifteen on a side, stand in line, facing their own goals and each other, at about ten yards distance, midway between the goals, and nearest that of their adversaries. An indifferent spectator, agreed on by the parties, throws up a ball, of the size of a common cricket-ball, midway between the confronted players, and makes his escape. It is the object of the players to seize and convey the ball between their own goals. The rush is therefore very great: as is sometimes the shock of the first onset, to catch the falling ball. He who first can catch or seize it speeds therefore home, pursued by his opponents (thro' whom he has to make his way), aided by the jostlings and various assistances of his own _sidesmen_. If caught and held, or in imminent danger of being caught, he _throws_ the ball--but must in no case give it--to a less beleaguered friend, who, if it be not arrested in its course, or be jostled away by the eager and watchful adversaries, catches it; and he hastens homeward, in like manner pursued, annoyed, and aided, winning the notch (or snotch) if he contrive to _carry_, not _throw_, it between his goals. But this in a well-matched game is no easy achievement, and often requires much time, many doublings, detours, and exertions. I should have noticed, that if the holder of the ball be caught with the ball in his possession, he loses a _snotch_; if, therefore, he be hard pressed, he _throws_ it to a convenient friend, more free and in breath than himself. At the loss (or gain) of a _snotch_, a recommence takes place, arranging which gives the parties time to take breath. Seven or nine notches are the game--and these it will sometimes take two or three hours to win. Sometimes a large football was used--and the game was then called "Kicking Camp"--and if played with the shoes on, "Savage Camp."--Moor's _Suffolk Words_.

(_b_) The sport and name are very old. The "Camping pightel" occurs in a deed of the 30 Henry VI.--about 1486; Cullum's _Hawstead_, p. 113, where Tusser is quoted in proof, that not only was the exercise manly and salutary, but good also for the _pightel_ or meadow:

In meadow or pasture (to grow the more fine) Let campers be camping in any of thine; Which if ye do suffer when low is the spring, You gain to yourself a commodious thing.

--P. 65.

And he says, in p. 56:

Get campers a ball, To camp therewithall.

Ray says that the game prevails in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. The Rev. S. Arnot, in _Notes and Queries_, 8th series, vol. ii. p. 138, who was rector of Ilket's Hall, in the county of Suffolk, says the ball was about the size of a cricket-ball, and was driven through a narrow goal; and from the evidence of the parish clerk it seems certain that it was not "Football." See also Spurden's _East Anglian Words_, and _County Folk-lore, Suffolk_, pp. 57-59.

There are Upper Campfield and Lower Campfield at Norton Woodseats. They are also called Camping fields. This field was probably the place where football and other village games were played. These fields adjoin the Bocking fields. In Gosling's Map of Sheffield, 1736, Campo Lane is called _Camper Lane_. The same map shows the position of the old Latin school, or grammar school, and the writing school. These schools were at a very short distance from Campo Lane, and it seems probable that here the game of football was played (Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_). "The camping-land appropriated to this game occurs in several instances in authorities of the fifteenth century" (Way's Note in _Prompt. Parv._, p. 60). In Brinsley's _Grammar Schoole_, cited by Mr. Furnivall in _Early English Meals and Manners_, p. lxii., is this passage: "By this meanes also the schollars may be kept euer in their places, and hard to their labours, without that running out to the Campo (as they tearme it) at school times, and the manifolde disorders thereof; as watching and striuing for the clubbe and loytering then in the fields."

See "Football."

Canlie

A very common game in Aberdeen, played by a number of boys, one of whom is by lot chosen to act the part of Canlie. A certain portion of a street or ground, as it may happen, is marked off as his territory, into which, if any of the other boys presume to enter, and be caught by Canlie before he can get off the ground, he is doomed to take the place of Canlie, who becomes free in consequence of the capture. The game is prevalent throughout Scotland, though differently denominated: in Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire it is called "Tig," and in Mearns "Tick."--Jamieson.

See "Tig."

Capie-Hole

A hole is made in the ground, and a certain line drawn, called a Strand, behind which the players must take their stations. The object is at this distance to throw the bowl into the hole. He who does this most frequently wins. It is now more generally called "The Hole," but the old designation is not quite extinct. It is otherwise played in Angus. Three holes are made at equal distances. He who can first strike his bowl into each of these holes thrice in succession wins the game (Jamieson). It is alluded to in _The Life of a Scotch Rogue_, 1722, p. 7.

See "Bun-hole."

Carrick

Old name for "Shinty" in Fife.--Jamieson.

Carry my Lady to London

I. Give me a pin to stick in my thumb To carry my lady to London. Give me another to stick in my other To carry her a little bit farther.

--Belfast (W. H. Patterson).

II. London Bridge is broken, And what shall I do for a token? Give me a pin to stick in my thumb And carry my lady to London.

--_Notes and Queries_, 4th series, xii. 479.

III. Give me a pin to stick in my chin (? cushion) To carry a lady to London; London Bridge is broken down And I must let my lady down.

--Northall's _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 353.

(_b_) In this game two children cross hands, grasping each other's wrists and their own as well: they thus form a seat on which a child can sit and be carried about. At the same time they sing the verse.

Carrying the Queen a Letter

The King and Queen have a throne formed by placing two chairs a little apart, with a shawl spread from chair to chair. A messenger is sent into the room with a letter to the Queen, who reads it, and joins the King in a courteous entreaty that the bearer of the missive will place himself between them. When he has seated himself on the shawl, up jumps the King and Queen, and down goes the messenger on the floor.--Bottesford and Anderly (Lincolnshire), and Nottinghamshire (Miss M. Peacock).

(_b_) This is virtually the same game as "Ambassador," described by Grose as played by sailors on some inexperienced fellow or landsman. Between the two chairs is placed a pail of water, into which the victim falls.

Cashhornie

A game played with clubs by two opposite parties of boys, the aim of each party being to drive a ball into a hole belonging to their antagonists, while the latter strain every nerve to prevent this.--Jamieson.

Castles

A game at marbles. Each boy makes a small pyramid of three as a base, and one on the top. The players aim at these from a distant stroke with balsers, winning such of the castles as they may in turn knock down (Lowsley's _Glossary of Berkshire Words_). In London, the marble alluded to as "balser" was called "bonsor" or "bouncer" (J. P. Emslie).

See "Cockly Jock," "Cogs."

Cat and Dog

An ancient game played in Angus and Lothian. Three play, and they are provided with clubs. These clubs are called "dogs." The players cut out two holes, each about a foot in diameter, and seven inches in depth. The distance between them is about twenty-six feet. One stands at each hole with a club. A piece of wood about four inches long and one inch in diameter, called a Cat, is thrown from the one hole towards the other by a third person. The object is to prevent the Cat from getting into the hole. Every time that it enters the hole, he who has the club at that hole loses the club, and he who threw the Cat gets possession both of the club and of the hole, while the former possessor is obliged to take charge of the Cat. If the Cat be struck, he who strikes it changes places with the person who holds the other club; and as often as these positions are changed one is counted in the game by the two who hold the clubs, and who are viewed as partners.--Jamieson.

(_b_) This is not unlike the "Stool-Ball" described by Strutt (_Sports and Pastimes_, p. 76), but it more nearly resembles "Club-Ball," an ancient English game (ibid., p. 83). The game of "Cat," played with sticks and a small piece of wood, rising in the middle, so as to rebound when struck on either side, is alluded to in _Poor Robin's Almanack_ for 1709, and by Brand. Leigh (_Cheshire Glossary_) gives "Scute" as another name for the game of "Cat," probably from _scute_ (O.W.), for boat, which it resembles in shape.

See "Cudgel," "Kit-cat," "Tip-cat."

Cat-Beds

The name of a game played by young people in Perthshire. In this game, one, unobserved by all the rest, cuts with a knife the turf in very unequal angles. These are all covered, and each player puts his hand on what he supposes to be the smallest, as every one has to cut off the whole surface of his division. The rate of cutting is regulated by a throw of the knife, and the person who throws is obliged to cut as deep as the knife goes. He who is last in getting his bed cut up is bound to carry the whole of the clods, crawling on his hands and feet, to a certain distance measured by the one next to him, who throws the knife through his legs. If the bearer of the clods let any of them fall, the rest have a right to pelt him with them. They frequently lay them very loosely on, that they may have the pleasure of pelting.--Jamieson.

Cat's Cradle

One child holds a piece of string joined at the ends on his upheld palms, a single turn being taken over each, and by inserting the middle finger of each hand under the opposite turn, crosses the string from finger to finger in a peculiar form. Another child then takes off the string on his fingers in a rather different way, and it then assumes a second form. A repetition of this man[oe]uvre produces a third form, and so on. Each of these forms has a particular name, from a fancied resemblance to the object--barn-doors, bowling-green, hour-glass, pound, net, fiddle, fish-pond, diamonds, and others.--_Notes and Queries_, vol. xi. p. 421.

The following forms are those known to me, with their names. They are produced seriatim.

1. The cradle. 2. The soldier's bed. 3. Candles. 4. The cradle inversed, or manger. 5. Soldier's bed again, or diamonds. 6. Diamonds, or cat's eyes. 7. Fish in dish. 8. Cradle as at first.

The different orders or arrangements must be taken from the hands of one player by another without disturbing the arrangement.--A. B. Gomme.

(_b_) Nares suggests that the proper name is "Cratch Cradle," and is derived from the archaic word _cratch_, meaning a manger. He gives several authorities for its use. The first-made form is not unlike a manger. Moor (_Suffolk Words_) gives the names as cat's cradle, barn-doors, bowling-green, hour-glass, pound, net, diamonds, fish-pond, fiddle. A supposed resemblance originated them. Britton (_Beauties of Wiltshire_, Glossary) says the game in London schools is called "Scratch-scratch" or "Scratch-cradle."

The game is known to savage peoples. Professor Haddon noted it among the Torres Straits people, who start the game in the same manner as we do, but continue it differently (_Journ. Anthrop. Inst._, vol. xix. p. 361); and Dr. Tylor has pointed out the significance of these string puzzles among savage peoples in _Journ. Anthrop. Inst._, ix. 26.

Cat-gallows

A child's game, consisting of jumping over a stick placed at right angles to two others fixed in the ground.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

(_b_) In Ross and Stead's _Holderness Glossary_ this is called "Cat-gallas," and is described as three sticks placed in the form of a gallows for boys to jump over. So called in consequence of being of sufficient height to hang cats from. Also mentioned in Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_ and Elworthy's _West Somerset Words_, Brogden's _Provincial Words, Lincs._, Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_, Atkinson's _Cleveland Glossary_, Brockett's _North Country Words_, Evans' _Leicestershire Glossary_, Baker's _Northants Glossary_, and Darlington's _South Cheshire Glossary_. On one of the stalls in Worcester Cathedral, figured in Wright's _Archæological Essays_, ii. 117, is a carving which represents three rats busily engaged in hanging a cat on a gallows of this kind.

Cat i' the Hole

A game well known in Fife, and perhaps in other counties. If seven boys are to play, six holes are made at certain distances. Each of the six stands at a hole, with a short stick in his hand; the seventh stands at a certain distance holding a ball. When he gives the word, or makes the sign agreed upon, all the six change holes, each running to his neighbour's hole, and putting his stick in the hole which he has newly seized. In making this change, the boy who has the ball tries to put it into an empty hole. If he succeeds in this, the boy who had not his stick (for the stick is the Cat) in the hole to which he had run is put out, and must take the ball. There is often a very keen contest whether the one shall get his stick, or the other the ball, or Cat, first put into the hole. When the Cat _is in the hole_, it is against the laws of the game to put the ball into it.--Jamieson.

(_b_) Kelly, in his _Scottish Proverbs_, p. 325, says, "'Tine cat, tine game;' an allusion to a play called 'Cat i' the Hole,' and the English 'Kit-cat.' Spoken when men at law have lost their principal evidence."

See "Cat and Dog," "Cudgel," "Kit-cat."

Cat after Mouse

This game, sometimes called "Threading the Needle," is played by children forming a ring, with their arms extended and hands clasped; one--the Mouse--goes outside the circle and gently pulls the dress of one of the players, who thereupon becomes the Cat, and is bound to follow wherever the Mouse chooses to go--either in or out of the ring--until caught, when he or she takes the place formerly occupied in the ring by the Cat, who in turn becomes Mouse, and the game is recommenced.--Dorsetshire (_Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 214).

(_b_) Played at Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy); Clapham Middle-Class School (Miss Richardson); and many other places. It is practically the same game as "Drop Handkerchief," played without words. It is described by Strutt, p. 381, who considers "Kiss-in-the-Ring" is derived from this "Cat and Mouse."

Catchers

One bicken is required in this game, and at this a lad must stand with a bat and ball in hand. He hits the ball away along the sand. Another boy picks it up and asks the striker "How many?" who replies--

Two a good scat, Try for the bat.

The ball is then thrown to the bicken, and if it does not come within the distance named--two bats--the striker again sends the ball away, when the question is again asked--

Three a good scat, Try for the bat.

And so on until the boy standing out throws the ball in to the required distance.--Old newspaper cutting without date in my possession (A. B. Gomme).

Chacke-Blyndman

Scotch name for "Blindman's Buff."--Jamieson.

Chance Bone

In Langley's abridgment of _Polydore Vergile_, f. 1., we have a description of this game: "There is a game also that is played with the posterne bone in the hinder foote of a sheepe, oxe, gote, fallow, or redde dere, whiche in Latin is called _talus_. It hath foure chaunces: the ace point, that is named Canis, or Canicula, was one of the sides; he that cast it leyed doune a peny, or so muche as the gamers were agreed on; the other side was called Venus, that signifieth seven. He that cast the chaunce wan sixe and all that was layd doune for the castyng of Canis. The two other sides were called Chius and Senio. He that did throwe Chius wan three. And he that cast Senio gained four. This game (as I take it) _is used of children in Northfolke_, and they cal it the Chaunce Bone; they playe with three or foure of those bones together; it is either the same or very lyke to it."

See "Dibs," "Hucklebones."

Change Seats, the King's Come

In this game as many seats are placed round a room as will serve all the company save one. The want of a seat falls on an individual by a kind of lot, regulated, as in many other games, by the repetition of an old rhythm. All the rest being seated, he who has no seat stands in the middle, repeating the words "Change seats, change seats," &c., while all the rest are on the alert to observe when he adds, "the king's come," or, as it is sometimes expressed, change their seats. The sport lies in the bustle in consequence of every one's endeavouring to avoid the misfortune of being the unhappy individual who is left without a seat. The principal actor often slily says, "The king's _not_ come," when, of course the company ought to keep their seats; but from their anxious expectation of the usual summons, they generally start up, which affords a great deal of merriment.--Brand's _Pop. Antiq._, ii. 409.

(_b_) Dr. Jamieson says this is a game well-known in Lothian and in the South of Scotland. Sir Walter Scott, in _Rob Roy_, iii. 153, says, "Here auld ordering and counter-ordering--but patience! patience!--We may ae day play at _Change seats, the king's coming_."

This game is supposed to ridicule the political scramble for places on occasion of a change of government, or in the succession.

See "Musical Chairs," "Turn the Trencher."

Checkstone

Easther's _Almondbury Glossary_ thus describes this game. A set of checks consists of five cubes, each about half an inch at the edge, and a ball the size of a moderate bagatelle ball: all made of pot. They are called checkstones, and the game is played thus. You throw down the cubes all at once, then toss the ball, and during its being in the air gather up one stone in your right hand and catch the descending ball in the same. Put down the stone and repeat the operation, gathering two stones, then three, then four, till at last you have "summed up" all the five at once, and have succeeded in catching the ball. In case of failure you have to begin all over again.

(_b_) In Nashe's _Lenten Stuff_ (1599) occurs the following: "Yet towards cock-crowing she caught a little slumber, and then she dreamed that Leander and she were playing at checkstone with pearls in the bottom of the sea."

A game played by children with round small pebbles (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). It is also mentioned in the early play of _Apollo Shroving_, 1627, p. 49.

See "Chucks," "Fivestones."

Cherry Odds

A game of "Pitch and Toss" played with cherry-stones (Elworthy's _West Somerset Words_). Boys always speak of the stones as "ods."

Cherry-pit

"Cherry-pit" is a play wherein they pitch cherry-stones into a little hole. It is noticed in the _Pleasant Grove of New Fancies_, 1657, and in Herrick's _Hesperides_. Nares (_Glossary_) mentions it as still practised with leaden counters called Dumps, or with money.

Chicamy

Chicamy, chickamy, chimey O, Down to the pond to wash their feet; Bring them back to have some meat, Chickamy, chickamy, chimey O.

--Crockham Hill, Kent (Miss Chase).

The children sing the first line as they go round and round. At the second line they move down the road a little, and turn round and round as they end the rhyme.

Chickidy Hand

Chickidy hand, Chickidy hand, The Warner, my Cock, Crows at four in the morning.

Several boys, placing their clasped fists against a lamp-post, say these lines, after which they run out, hands still clasped. One in the middle tries to catch as many as possible, forming them in a long string, hand in hand, as they are caught. Those still free try to break through the line and rescue the prisoners. If they succeed in parting the line, they may carry one boy pig-a-back to the lamp-post, who becomes "safe." The boy caught last but one becomes "it" in the next game.--Deptford, Kent (Miss Chase).

See "Hunt the Staigie," "Stag Warning," "Whiddy."

Chinnup

A game played with hooked sticks and a ball, also called "Shinnup." Same as "Hockey."

Chinny-mumps

A school-boys' play, consisting in striking the chin with the knuckles; dexterously performed, a kind of time is produced.--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

Chock or Chock-hole

A game at marbles played by "chocking" or pitching marbles in a hole made for the purpose, instead of shooting at a ring (Northamptonshire, Baker's _Glossary_). Clare mentions the game in one of his poems.

Chow

A game played in Moray and Banffshire. The ball is called the Chow. The game is the same as "Shinty." The players are equally divided. After the Chow is struck off by one party, the aim of the other is to strike it back, that it may not reach the limit or goal on their side, because in this case they lose the game, and as soon as it crosses the line the other party cry Hail! or say that it is hail, as denoting that they have gained the victory. In the beginning of each game they are allowed to raise the ball a little above the level of the ground, that they may have the advantage of a surer stroke. This is called the "deil-chap," perhaps as a contraction of "devil," in reference to the force expended on the stroke. It may, however, be "dule-chap," the blow given at the "dule" or goal.--Jamieson.

See "Hockey."

Chuck-farthing

Strutt says this game was played by boys at the commencement of the last century, and probably bore some analogy to "Pitch and Hustle." He saw the game thus denominated played with halfpence, every one of the competitors having a like number, either two or four; a hole being made in the ground, with a mark at a given distance for the players to stand, they pitch their halfpence singly in succession towards the hole, and he whose halfpenny lies the nearest to it has the privilege of coming first to a second mark much nearer than the former, and all the halfpence are given to him; these he pitches in a mass toward the hole, and as many of them as remain therein are his due; if any fall short or jump out of it, the second player--that is, he whose halfpenny in pitching lay nearest to the first goer's--takes them and performs in like manner; he is followed by the others as long as any of the halfpence remain (_Sports_, pp. 386, 387). There is a letter in the _Spectator_, supposed to be from the father of a romp, who, among other complaints of her conduct, says, "I have catched her once at eleven years old at 'Chuck-farthing' among the boys."

Chuck-hole, Chuck-penny

Same game as "Chuck-farthing," with this difference, that if the pennies roll outside the ring it is a "dead heat," and each boy reclaims his penny.--Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_; and see Brogden's _Lincolnshire Words_.

Chucks

A game with marbles played by girls (Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_). A writer in _Blackwood's Magazine_, August 1821, p. 36, says "Chucks" is played with a bowl and chucks--a species of shells (_Buccinum lapillus_) found on the sea-shore ["bowl" here probably means a marble]. Brockett (_North Country Words_) says this game is played by girls with five sea-shells called chucks, and sometimes with pebbles, called chuckie-stanes. Jamieson says a number of pebbles are spread on a flat stone; one of them is tossed up, and a certain number must be gathered and the falling one caught by the same hand.

See "Checkstones," "Fivestones."

Church and Mice

A game played in Fifeshire; said to be the same with the "Sow in the Kirk."--Jamieson.

Click

Two Homes opposite each other are selected, and a boy either volunteers to go Click, or the last one in a race between the Homes does so. The others then proceed to one of the Homes, and the boy takes up his position between them. The players then attempt to run between the Homes, and if the one in the middle holds any of them while he says "One, two, three, I catch thee; help me catch another," they have to stay and help him to collar the rest until only one is left. If this one succeeds in getting between the Homes three times after all the others have been caught, he is allowed to choose the one to go Click in the next game; if he fails, he has to go himself.--Marlborough, Wilts (H. S. May).

See "Cock."

Click, Clock, Cluck

A man called Click came west from Ireland, A man called Click came west from Ireland, A man called Click came west from Ireland, Courting my Aunt Judy.

A man called Clock came west from Ireland, A man called Clock came west from Ireland, A man called Clock came west from Ireland, Courting my Aunt Judy.

A man called Cluck came west from Ireland, A man called Cluck came west from Ireland, A man called Cluck came west from Ireland, Courting my Aunt Judy.

--Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

These verses and the game are now quite forgotten, both in English and Manx. It was sung by children dancing round in a ring.

Clowt-clowt

"A kinde of playe called clowt-clowt, to beare about, or my hen hath layd."--_Nomenclator_, p. 299.

Clubby

A youthful game something like "Doddart."--Brockett's _North Country Words_.

Coal under Candlestick

A Christmas game mentioned in _Declaration of Popish Impostures_, p. 160.

Cob

A game at marbles played by two or three boys bowling a boss marble into holes made in the ground for the purpose, the number of which is generally four.--Baker's _Northamptonshire Glossary_.

Cobbin-match

A school game in which two boys are held by the legs and arms and bumped against a tree, he who holds out the longest being the victor.--Ross and Stead's _Holderness Glossary_.

Cobble

A name for "See-saw."--Jamieson.

Cobbler's Hornpipe

This was danced by a boy stooping till he was nearly in a sitting posture on the ground, drawing one leg under him until its toe rested on the ground, and steadying himself by thrusting forward the other leg so that the heel rested on the ground; the arms and head being thrown forwards as far as possible in order to maintain a balance. The thrust-out leg was drawn back and the drawn-in leg was shot out at the same time. This movement was repeated, each bringing down to the ground of the toe and heel causing a noise like that of hammering on a lapstone. The arms were moved backwards and forwards at the same time to imitate the cobbler's sewing.--London (J. P. Emslie).

Cob-nut

The children in Yorkshire have a game which is probably an ancient English pastime. Numerous hazel-nuts are strung like the beads of a rosary. The game is played by two persons, each of whom has one of these strings, and consists in each party striking alternately, with one of the nuts on his own string, a nut of his adversary's. The field of combat is usually the crown of a hat. The object of each party is to crush the nuts of his opponent. A nut which has broken many of those of the adversary is a Cob-nut.--Brand, ii. 411; Hunter's _Hallamshire Glossary_.

(_b_) This game is played in London with chestnuts, and is called "Conquers." In Cornwall it is known as "Cock-haw." The boys give the name of Victor-nut to the fruit of the common hazel, and play it to the words: "Cockhaw! First blaw! Up hat! Down cap! Victor!" The nut that cracks another is called a Cock-battler (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 61). Halliwell describes this game differently. He says "it consists in pitching at a row of nuts piled up in heaps of four, three at the bottom and one at the top of each heap. The nut used for the pitching is called the Cob. All the nuts knocked down are the property of the pitcher." Alluding to the first described form, he says it "is probably a more modern game," and quotes Cotgrave _sub voce_ "Chastelet" as authority for the earlier form in the way he describes it (_Dictionary_). Addy says the nuts were hardened for the purpose. When a nut was broken it was said to be "cobbered" or "cobbled" (_Sheffield Glossary_). Evans' _Leicestershire Glossary_ also describes it. Darlington (_South Cheshire Words_) says this game only differs from "Cobblety-cuts" in the use of small nuts instead of chestnuts. George Eliot in _Adam Bede_ has, "Gathering the large unripe nuts to play at 'Cob-nut' with" (p. 30). Britton's _Beauties of Wiltshire_ gives the Isle of Wight and Hants as other places where the game is known.

See "Conquerors."

Cock

One boy is chosen Cock. The players arrange themselves in a line along one side of the playground. The Cock takes his stand in front of the players. When everything is ready, a rush across the playground is made by the players. The Cock tries to catch and "croon"--_i.e._, put his hand upon the head of--as many of the players as he can when running from one side of the playground to the other. Those caught help the Cock in the rush back. The rush from side to side goes on till all are captured. To "croon" was the essential point in capturing. When a boy was being pursued to be taken prisoner, his great object was, when he came to close quarters with his pursuers, to save his head from being touched on the crown by one of them.--Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

At Duthil, Strathspey, this game goes by the name of "Rexa-boxa-King." When the players have ranged themselves on one side of the playground, and the King has taken his stand in front of them, he calls out "Rexa-boxa-King," or simply "Rexa," when all the players rush to the other side. The rush from side to side goes on till all are captured. The one last captured becomes King in the next game.--Rev. W. Gregor.

See "Click."

Cock-battler

Children, under the title of "Cock-battler," often in country walks play with the hoary plantain, which they hold by the tough stem about two inches from the head; each in turn tries to knock off the head of his opponent's flower.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 61).

In the North, and in Suffolk, it is called "Cocks," "a puerile game with the tough tufted stems of the ribwort plantain" (Brockett's _North Country Words_). Moor (_Suffolk Words_) alludes to the game, and Holloway (_Dictionary of Provincialisms_) says in West Sussex boys play with the heads of rib grass a similar game. Whichever loses the head first is conquered. It is called "Fighting-cocks."

Cock-fight

This is a boys' game. Two boys fold their arms, and then, hopping on one leg, butt each other with their shoulders till one lets down his leg. Any number of couples can join in this game.--Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

Cock-haw

See "Cob-nut."

Cock-stride

One boy is chosen as Cock. He is blindfolded, and stands alone, with his legs as far apart as possible. The other boys then throw their caps as far as they are able between the extended legs of the Cock (fig. 1). After the boys have thrown their caps, and each boy has taken his stand beside his cap, the Cock, still blindfolded, stoops down and crawls in search of the caps (fig. 2). The boy whose cap he first finds has to run about twenty yards under the buffeting of the other boys, the blows being directed chiefly to the head. He becomes Cock at the next turn of the game.--Rosehearty, Pitsligo (Rev. W. Gregor).

Cockertie-hooie

This game consists simply of one boy mounting on the neck of another, putting a leg over each shoulder and down his breast. The boy that carries takes firm hold of the legs of the one on his neck, and sets off at a trot, and runs hither and thither till he becomes tired of his burden. The bigger the one is who carries, the more is in the enjoyment to the one carried.--Keith (Rev. W. Gregor).

See "Cock's-headling."

Cockle-bread

Young wenches have a wanton sport, which they call moulding of Cocklebread; viz. they gett upon a Table-board, and then gather-up their knees and their coates with their hands as high as they can, and then they wabble to and fro with their Buttocks as if the[y] were kneading of Dowgh, and say these words, viz.:--

My Dame is sick and gonne to bed, And I'le go mowld my cockle-bread.

In Oxfordshire the maids, when they have put themselves into the fit posture, say thus:--

My granny is sick, and now is dead, And wee'l goe mould some cockle-bread. Up with my heels, and down with my head, And this is the way to mould cocklebread.

--Aubrey's _Remains_, pp. 43, 44.

To make "Barley bread" (in other districts, "Cockley bread") this rhyme is used in West Cornwall:--

Mother has called, mother has said, Make haste home, and make barley bread. Up with your heels, down with your head, That is the way to make barley bread.

--_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 58.

The Westmoreland version is given by Ellis in his edition of Brand as follows:--

My grandy's seeke, And like to dee, And I'll make her Some cockelty bread, cockelty bread, And I'll make her Some cockelty bread.

The term "Cockelty" is still heard among our children at play. One of them squats on its haunches with the hands joined beneath the thighs, and being lifted by a couple of others who have hold by the bowed arms, it is swung backwards and forwards and bumped on the ground or against the wall, while continuing the words, "This is the way we make cockelty bread."--Robinson's _Whitby Glossary_, p. 40.

The moulding of "Cocklety-bread" is a sport amongst hoydenish girls not quite extinct. It consists in sitting on the ground, raising the knees and clasping them with the hand, and then using an undulatory motion, as if they were kneading dough.

My granny is sick and now is dead, And we'll go mould some cocklety bread; Up with the heels and down with the head, And that is the way to make cocklety bread.

--Hunter's MSS.; Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

(_b_) The _Times_ of 1847 contains a curious notice of this game. A witness, whose conduct was impugned as light and unbecoming, is desired to inform the court, in which an action for breach of promise was tried, the meaning of "mounting cockeldy-bread;" and she explains it as "a play among children," in which one lies down on the floor on her back, rolling backwards and forwards, and repeating the following lines:--

Cockeldy bread, mistley cake, When you do that for our sake.

While one of the party so laid down, the rest sat around; and they laid down and rolled in this manner by turns.

These lines are still retained in the modern nursery-rhyme books, but their connection with the game of "Cockeldy-bread" is by no means generally understood. There was formerly some kind of bread called "cockle-bread," and _cocille-mele_ is mentioned in a very early MS. quoted in Halliwell's _Dictionary_. In Peele's play of the _Old Wives' Tale_, a voice thus speaks from the bottom of a well:--

Gently dip, but not too deep, For fear you make the golden beard to weep. Fair maiden, white and red, Stroke me smooth and comb my head, And thou shalt have some _cockell-bread_.

Cockly-jock

A game among boys. Stones are loosely placed one upon another, at which other stones are thrown to knock the pile down.--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

See "Castles."

Cock's-headling

A game where boys mount over each other's heads.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

See "Cockertie-hooie."

Cock-steddling

A boyish game mentioned but not described by Cope in his _Hampshire Glossary_. He gives as authority _Portsmouth Telegraph_, 27th September 1873.

Codlings

A game among youngsters similar to "Cricket," a short piece of wood being struck up by a long stick instead of a ball by a bat. Also called "Tip and Go" or "Tip and Slash."--Robinson's _Whitby Glossary_.

See "Cudgel."

Cogger

A striped snail shell. It is a common boyish pastime to hold one of these shells between the last joints of the bent fingers, and forcibly press the apex against another held in a similar manner by an opponent, until one of them, by dint of persevering pressure, forces its way into the other; and the one which in these contests has gained the most victories is termed the Conqueror, and is highly valued (Northamptonshire, Baker's _Glossary_). The game is known as "Fighting Cocks" in Evans' _Leicestershire Glossary_. In London it was played with walnut shells.

Cogs

The top stone of a pile is pelted by a stone flung from a given distance, and the more hits, or "cogglings off," the greater the player's score.--Robinson's _Whitby Glossary_.

Apparently the same game as "Cockly-jock."

Common

A game played with a ball and crooked stick (cut from a tree or hedge), with a crook at the end (same game as "Hurl").--Dublin (Mrs. Lincoln).

Mr. Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) mentions this as "Hockey;" the same as "Shinney." "Called in some districts," he adds, "'Comun' and 'Kamman,' from the Irish name for the game."

Conkers

The same game as "Cogger." The game is more generally called "playin at sneel-shells."--Ross and Stead's _Holderness Glossary_.

Conquerors or Conkers

I. Cobbly co! My first blow! Put down your black hat, And let me have first smack!

--Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 531.

II. Obli, obli O, my first go; And when the nut is struck, Obli, obli onker, my nut will conquer.

--_Notes and Queries_, 5th series, x. 378.

III. Cobblety cuts, Put down your nuts.

--Darlington's _Folk-speech of South Cheshire_.

IV. Obbly, obbly onkers, my first conquers; Obbly, obbly O, my first go.

--Lawson's _Upton-on-Severn Words and Phrases_.

V. Hobley, hobley, honcor, my first conkor; Hobbley, hobbley ho, my first go; Hobley, hobley ack, my first crack.

--Chamberlain's _West Worcestershire Glossary_.

(_b_) This game is played with horse chestnuts threaded on a string. Two boys sit face to face astride of a form or a log of timber. If a piece of turf can be procured so much the better. One boy lays his chestnut upon the turf, and the other strikes at it with his chestnut; and they go on striking alternately till one chestnut splits the other. The chestnut which remains unhurt is then "conqueror of one." A new chestnut is substituted for the broken one, and the game goes on. Whichever chestnut now proves victorious becomes "conqueror of two," and so on, the victorious chestnut adding to its score all the previous winnings. The chestnuts are often artificially hardened by placing them up the chimney or carrying them in a warm pocket; and a chestnut which has become conqueror of a considerable number acquires a value in schoolboys' eyes; and I have frequently known them to be sold, or exchanged for other toys (Holland's _Cheshire Glossary_). The game is more usually played by one boy striking his opponent's nut with his own, both boys standing and holding the string in their hands. It is considered bad play to strike the opponent's _string_. The nut only should be touched. Three tries are usually allowed.

(_c_) For information on various forms of this game, see _Notes and Queries_, 1878. See also Elworthy's _West Somerset Words_. The boy who first said the rhyme has first stroke at Oswestry. The game is elsewhere called "Cobbet" (Meole Brace) and "Cobbleticuts" (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 531). In "Conquer-nuts" "obbly" was probably "nobbly" or "knobbly," expressing the appearance of the string of nuts; and "onkers" was probably invented as a rhyme to "conquers" (_Upton-on-Severn Words and Phrases_, by R. Lawson).

Contrary, Rules of

I. Here I go round the rules of contrary, Hopping about like a little canary. When I say "Hold fast," leave go; When I say "Leave go," hold fast.

--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 52).

II. Here we go round the rules of contrary, When I say "Hold fast!" let go, and when I say "Let go!" hold fast.

--London (A. B. Gomme).

(_b_) A ring is formed by each child holding one end of a handkerchief. One child stands in the centre and acts as leader. The ring moves round slowly. The leader says the words as above while the ring is moving round, and then suddenly calls out whichever he chooses of the two sayings. If he says "Hold fast!" every one must immediately let go the corner of the handkerchief he holds. They should all fall to the ground at once. When he says "Let go!" every one should retain their hold of the handkerchief. Forfeits are demanded for every mistake.

This game, called "Hawld Hard," is commonly played about Christmas-time, where a number hold a piece of a handkerchief. One then moves his hand round the handkerchief, saying, "Here we go round by the rule of Contrairy; when I say 'Hawld hard,' let go, and when I say 'Let go,' hawld hard." Forfeits are paid by those not complying with the order.--Lowsley's _Berkshire Glossary_.

Cop-halfpenny

The game of "Chuck-farthing."--Norfolk and Suffolk (Holloway's _Dict. of Provincialisms_).

Corsicrown

A square figure is divided by four lines, which cross each other in the crown or centre. Two of these lines connect the opposite angles, and two the sides at the point of bisection. Two players play; each has three men or flitchers. Now there are seven points for these men to move about on, six on the edges of the square and one at the centre. The men belonging to each player are not set together as at draughts, but mingled with each other. The one who has the first move may always have the game, which is won by getting the three men on a line.--Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_.

See "Kit Cat Cannio," "Noughts and Crosses."

Cots and Twisses

A flat stone is obtained called a Hob, upon which those who are playing place equal shares of Cots and Twisses. Cots are brass buttons, and Twisses bits of brass--a Twiss of solid brass being worth many Cots. Each player provides himself with a nice flat [key] stone, and from an agreed pitch tosses it at the Hob. If he knocks off any of the Cots and Twisses nearer to the players than the Hob is, he claims them. The other players try to knock the Hob away with their key-stones from any Cots and Twisses that may not have been claimed; and if any key-stone touches Hob after all have thrown, the owner cannot claim any Cots and Twisses.--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).

Each player selects a Cast or stone to pitch with; on another stone, called the Hob, the Cots and Twys are placed; at some distance Scops are set in the ground. First the players pitch from the Hob to the Scop, and the one who gets nearest goes first. He then pitches at the Hob, and if he knocks off the stakes he has them, provided his Cast is nearer to them than the Hob is; in failure of this, the other player tries. In pitching up, one Cast may rest on another, and if the boy whose stone is underneath can lift it up to knock the other Cast away, it has to remain at the place to which it has been struck; if he does not succeed in doing this, the second player may lift off his Cast and place it by the first. Whoever knocks off the stakes, they go to the boy whose Cast is nearest to them. The Hob and Scop are usually three yards apart. The Cot was a button off the waistcoat or trousers, the Twy one off the coat, and, as its name implies, was equal to two Cots. Formerly, when cash was much more rare than now it is amongst boys, these formed their current coin. The game about 1820 seems to have been chiefly one of tossing, and was played with buttons, then common enough. Now, metal buttons being rare, it is played with pieces of brass or copper of any shape. The expression, "I haven't a cot," is sometimes used to signify that a person is without money.--Easther's _Almondbury and Huddersfield Glossary_.

See "Banger," "Buttons."

Course o' Park

The game of "Course of the Park" has not been described, but is referred to in the following verse:--

"Buff"'s a fine sport, And so's "Course o' Park."

--_The Slighted Maid_, 1663, p. 50.

Crab-sowl, Crab-sow

A game played with a bung or ball struck with sticks (Brogden's _Provincial Words, Lincolnshire_). This is played on Barnes Common, and is apparently a form of "Hockey" (A. B. Gomme).

Crates

The game of "Nine Holes." This is the game described by John Jones, M.D., in his book called _The Benefit of the Auncient Bathes of Buckstones_, 1572, p. 12, as having been played by ladies at Buxton for their amusement in wet weather. See Pegge's _Anonymiana_, 1818, p. 126, and Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

Cricket

A description of this game is not given here; its history and rules and regulations are well known, and many books have been devoted to its study. The word "Cricket" is given in Lawson's _Upton-on-Severn Words and Phrases_ as a low wooden stool. He continues, "The game of 'Cricket' was probably a development of the older game of 'Stool-ball,' a dairymaid's stool being used for the wicket." Wedgwood (_Etym. Dict._) suggests that the proper name for the bat was "cricket-staff," A.-S. _criec_, a staff.

See "Bittle-battle," "Stool-ball."

Crooky

An old game called "Crooky" was formerly played at Portarlington, Queen's co., and Kilkee, co. Clare. Fifty years ago it was played with wooden crooks and balls, but about twenty-five years ago, or a little more, mallets were introduced at Kilkee; while subsequently the name was changed to "Croquet." I have heard it stated that this game was introduced by the French refugees that settled at Portarlington.--G. H. Kinahan (_Folk-lore Journal_, ii. 265).

Cross and Pile

The game now called "Heads and Tails" (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). See _Nomenclator_, p. 299; Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_. Strutt points out that anciently the English coins were stamped on one side with a cross. See also Harland's _Lancashire Legends_, p. 139.

Cross-bars

A boys' game.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Cross-questions

Nares (_Glossary_) mentions this game in a quotation from Wilson's _Inconstant Lady_, 1614. "Cross Questions and Crooked Answers" was a popular game at juvenile parties. The players sit in a circle, and each is asked in a whisper a question by the one on his left, and receives also in a whisper an answer to a question asked by himself of the person on his right. Each player must remember both the question he was asked and the answer he received, which have at the conclusion of the round to be stated aloud. Forfeits must be given if mistakes are made.--A. B. Gomme.

Cross Tig

One of the players is appointed to be Tig. He calls out the name of the one he intends to chase, and runs after him. Another player runs across between Tig and the fugitive, and then Tig runs after this cross-player until another player runs across between Tig and the fugitive; and so on. Each time a player crosses between Tig and the player he is following he leaves the original chase and follows the player who has crossed. When he captures, or, in some places, touches one of the players he is following, this player becomes Tig, and the game begins again.--Ireland (Miss Keane).

This game is known in and near London as "Cross Touch."

Cry Notchil

This is an old game where boys push one of their number into a circle they have made, and as he tries to escape push him back, crying, "No child of mine!" (Leigh's _Cheshire Glossary_). He adds, "This may be the origin of the husband's disclaimer of his wife when he 'notchils' her." To "cry notchil" is for a man to advertise that he will not be answerable for debts incurred by his wife.

Cuck-ball

A game at ball. The same as "Pize-ball." It is sometimes called "Tut-ball."--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

See "Ball."

Cuckoo

A child hides and cries "Cuckoo." The seekers respond--

Cuckoo cherry-tree, Catch a bird and bring it me.

--Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 222.

Halliwell calls this a game at ball, and the rhyme runs--

Cuckoo cherry tree, Catch a bird and bring it me; Let the tree be high or low, Let it hail, rain or snow.

See "Hide and Seek."

Cuddy and the Powks

Two boys join hands and feet over the back of a third, the which creeps away with them on hands and knees to a certain distance; and if able to do this, he, the Cuddy, must have a ride as one of the powks on some other's back.--Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_.

Cudgel

Four or more boys can play this game, and sides are chosen. Two holes are made in the ground at a distance of about eight or ten feet apart. A ring about a foot in diameter is made round each hole. A boy stands at each hole with a stick, which he puts into the hole to guard it. Two other boys stand behind the holes, who act as bowlers. One of these throws a small piece of wood shaped like a Cat, and tries to pitch it into the hole. The boy guarding the hole tries to hit it with his stick. If he succeeds, he and the boy at the other hole run to each other's places. Should the boy who throws the piece of wood succeed in getting it into the hole, the batsmen are out. Should the Cat fall into the ring or a span beyond, one of the bowlers picks it up, and both run to a hiding-place. They then agree as to which of them should hold the Cat. This must be carried in such a way that it cannot be seen by the batsmen, both boys assuming the same attitude. Both boys then resume their previous places. They kneel down, still keeping the same attitudes. The batsmen, keeping their sticks in the holes, then agree which of the two holds the Cat. One batsman runs across and puts his stick into the hole behind which the boy kneels whom they consider has the Cat, the other then running to his place. If they are right in their guess, the holder of the Cat throws it across the ground for the opposite bowler to put it in the hole before the second batsman reaches it. If they guess wrongly, the holder of the Cat puts it into the hole as soon as the batsman runs, and they then become the batsmen for the next game. If the batsmen leave their holes unguarded with the stick, the catsmen can at any time put them "out," by putting the Cat in a hole. If more than two boys on a side play, the others field as in "Cricket."--Barnes (A. B. Gomme).

See "Cat and Dog."

Curcuddie

I. Will ye gang to the lea, Curcuddie, And join your plack wi' me, Curcuddie? I lookit about and I saw naebody, And linkit awa' my lane, Curcuddie.

--Chambers' _Popular Rhymes_, p. 139.

II. Will ye gang wi' me, Curcuddie, Gang wi' me o'er the lea? I lookit roun', saw naebody; Curcuddie, he left me.

--Biggar (William Ballantyne).

(_b_) This is a grotesque kind of dance, performed in a shortened posture, sitting on one's hams, with arms akimbo, the dancers forming a circle of independent figures. It always excites a hearty laugh among the senior bystanders; but, ridiculous as it is, it gives occasion for the display of some spirit and agility, as well as skill, there being always an inclination to topple over. Each performer sings the verse (Chambers; Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_).

Mr. Ballantyne says that each one apart tried to dance by throwing out their feet and jumping sideways.

(_c_) The first syllable of this word is, says Jamieson, undoubtedly the verb _curr_, to sit on the houghs or hams. The second may be from Teut. _kudde_, a flock; _kudd-en_, coire, convenire, congregari, aggregari; _kudde wijs_, gregatim, catervatim, q. to curr together. The same game is called _Harry Hurcheon_ in the North of Scotland, either from the resemblance of one in this position to a _hurcheon_, or hedge-hog, squatting under a bush; or from the Belg. _hurk-en_ to squat, to _hurkle_.--Jamieson.

See "Cobbler's Hornpipe," "Cutch-a-Cutchoo."

Curly Locks

[Music]

I. Curly locks, curly locks, Wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes Nor yet feed the swine; But sit on a fine cushion And sew a fine seam, And feed upon strawberries, Sugar and cream.

--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).

II. Bonny lass, canny lass, Wilta be mine? Thou's nowder wesh dishes Nor sarra the swine: But sit on thy crippy, &c.

--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

(_b_) Two children, a girl and a boy, separate from their fellows, who are not particularly placed, the boy caressing the girl's curls and singing the verses.

(_c_) This game is evidently a dramatic representation of wooing, and probably the action of the game has never been quite completed in the nursery. The verses are given as "nursery rhymes" by Halliwell, Nos. cccclxxxiii. and ccccxciv. The tune is from Rimbault's _Nursery Rhymes_, p. 70. The words given by him are the same as the Earls Heaton version.

Currants and Raisins

Currants and raisins a penny a pound, Three days holiday.

This is a game played "running under a handkerchief;" "something like 'Oranges and Lemons.'"--Lincoln (Miss M. Peacock).

Cushion Dance

[Music]

--_Dancing Master_, 1686.

This music is exactly as it is printed in the book referred to.

(_b_) The following is an account of the dance as it was known in Derbyshire amongst the farmers' sons and daughters and the domestics, all of whom were on a pretty fair equality, very different from what prevails in farm-houses of to-day. The "Cushion Dance" was a famous old North-country amusement, and among the people of Northumberland it is still commonly observed. The dance was performed with boisterous fun, quite unlike the game as played in higher circles, where the conditions and rules of procedure were of a more refined order.

The company were seated round the room, a fiddler occupying a raised seat in a corner. When all were ready, two of the young men left the room, returning presently, one carrying a large square cushion, the other an ordinary drinking-horn, china bowl, or silver tankard, according to the possessions of the family. The one carrying the cushion locked the door, putting the key in his pocket. Both gentlemen then went to the fiddler's corner, and after the cushion-bearer had put a coin in the vessel carried by the other, the fiddler struck up a lively tune, to which the young men began to dance round the room, singing or reciting to the music:--

Frinkum, frankum is a fine song, An' we will dance it all along; All along and round about, Till we find the pretty maid out.

After making the circuit of the room, they halted on reaching the fiddler's corner, and the cushion-bearer, still to the music of the fiddle, sang or recited:--

Our song it will no further go! The Fiddler: Pray, kind sir, why say you so? The Cushion-bearer: Because Jane Sandars won't come to. The Fiddler: She must come to, she shall come to, An' I'll make her whether she will or no.

The cushion-bearer and vessel-holder then proceeded with the dance, going as before round the room, singing "Frinkum, frankum," &c., till the cushion-bearer came to the lady of his choice, before whom he paused, placed the cushion on the floor at her feet, and knelt upon it. The vessel-bearer then offered the cup to the lady, who put money in it and knelt on the cushion in front of the kneeling gentleman. The pair kissed, arose, and the gentleman, first giving the cushion to the lady with a bow, placed himself behind her, taking hold of some portion of her dress. The cup-bearer fell in also, and they danced on to the fiddler's corner, and the ceremony was again gone through as at first, with the substitution of the name of "John" for "Jane," thus:--

The Lady: Our song it will no further go! The Fiddler: Pray, kind miss, why say you so? The Lady: Because John Sandars won't come to. The Fiddler: He must come to, he shall come to, An' I'll make him whether he will or no!

The dancing then proceeded, and the lady, on reaching her choice (a gentleman, of necessity), placed the cushion at his feet. He put money in the horn and knelt. They kissed and rose, he taking the cushion and his place in front of the lady, heading the next dance round, the lady taking him by the coat-tails, the first gentleman behind the lady, with the horn-bearer in the rear. In this way the dance went on till all present, alternately a lady and gentleman, had taken part in the ceremony. The dance concluded with a romp in file round the room to the quickening music of the fiddler, who at the close received the whole of the money collected by the horn-bearer.

At Charminster the dance is begun by a single person (either man or woman), who dances about the room with a cushion in his hand, and at the end of the tune stops and sings:--

Man: This dance it will no further go. Musician: I pray you, good sir, why say you so? Man: Because Joan Sanderson will not come to. Musician: She must come to, and she shall come to, And she must come whether she will or no.

Then the following words are sung as in the first example:--

Man: Welcome, Joan Sanderson, welcome, welcome. Both: Prinkum-prankum is a fine dance, And shall we go dance it once again, And once again, And shall we go dance it once again? Woman: This dance it will no further go. Musician: I pray you, madam, why say you so? Woman: Because John Sanderson will not come to. Musician: He must come to, and he shall come to, And he must come whether he will or no.

And so she lays down the cushion before a man, who, kneeling upon it, salutes her, she singing--

Welcome, John Sanderson, &c.

Then, he taking up the cushion, they take hands and dance round singing as before; and this they do till the whole company is taken into the ring. Then the cushion is laid down before the first man, the woman singing, "This dance," &c., as before, only instead of "come to," they sing "go fro," and instead of "Welcome, John Sanderson," &c., they sing "Farewell, John Sanderson, farewell," &c., and so they go out one by one as they came in.--Charminster (_Notes and Queries_, ii. 517, 518).

This description is almost the same as a seventeenth century version. The dance is begun by a single person (either man or woman), who, taking a cushion in his hand, dances about the room, and at the end of the tune he stops and sings:--

This dance it will no further go.

The Musician answers:

I pray you, good sir, why say you so? Man: Because Joan Sanderson will not come to. Musician: She must come to, and she shall come to, And she must come whether she will or no.

Then he lays down the cushion before a woman, on which she kneels, and he kisses her, singing--

Welcom, Joan Sanderson, welcom, welcom.

Then he rises, takes up the cushion, and both dance, singing--

Prinkum-prankum is a fine dance, And shall we go dance it once again, Once again, and once again, And shall we go dance it once again.

Then, making a stop, the wo(man) sings as before--

This dance, &c. Musician: I pray you, madam, &c. Woman: Because John Sanderson, &c. Musician: He must, &c.

And so she lays down the cushion before a man, who, kneeling upon it, salutes her, she singing--

Welcom, John Sanderson, &c.

Then, he taking up the cushion, they take hands and dance round, singing as before. And thus they do till the whole company are taken into the ring. And then the cushion is laid before the first man, the woman singing, "This dance," &c. (as before), only instead of "come to," they sing "go fro," and instead of "Welcom, John Sanderson," &c., they sing "Farewel, John Sanderson, farewel, farewel;" and so they go out one by one as they came in. _Note_, that the woman is kiss'd by all the men in the ring at her coming in and going out, and the like of the man by the woman.--_The Dancing Master_: London, printed by J. P., and sold by John Playford at his shop near the Temple Church, 1686, 7th edition.

Another version gives the words as follows:--

We've got a new sister in our degree, And she's welcome into our companee, companee. Mrs. Sargesson says she weänt come to, We'll make her whether she will or no, Will or no, will or no, We'll maäke her whether she will or no.

Children form a ring with one in the middle, who lays a cushion on the ground. They sing the first two lines, and the child in the centre points at one, and the others dance round singing the other lines, the centre child dragging the imaginary Mrs. Sargesson on to the cushion by force, kissing her, and leaving her in the centre. Then Mrs. Sargesson points at one in the ring, and the game begins again.--East Kirkby, Lincolnshire (Miss Maughan). The tune sung is the same as the "Mulberry Bush."

Miss Baker (_Northamptonshire Glossary_) says the Cushion Dance is still continued, with some variations, and generally closes the evening's amusements. One of the young men endeavours secretly to bring in a cushion, and locks the doors, to prevent the escape of the young maidens; then all the party unite hands and dance round three times to the left and three times to the right, after which the company all seat themselves, except the young man who holds the cushion. He advances to the fiddler, and says--

This dance it will no further go. Fiddler: Why say you so? why say you so? Cushion-holder: Because the young women will not come to. Fiddler: They must come to, they shall come to, And tell them I say so.

The cushion-holder then goes to the girl he fancies most, and drops the cushion at her feet. She kneels down with him on the cushion, and he salutes her, and they then rise and dance round and round to the fiddler. The girls then go through the same thing, saying, "young men," and then "a young man," &c., until the whole company have gone through the same ceremony, which concludes with all dancing round three times, as at the commencement.

The Norfolk and London versions are reduced to a simple "Kiss in the Ring" game, with the following verse:--

Round the cushion we dance with glee, Singing songs so merrily; Round the cushion we dance with glee, Singing songs so merrily; Yet the punishment you must bear If you touch the cushion there.

--Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

(_c_) Selden, in his _Table Talk_, thus refers to this game:--"The Court of England is much altered. At a solemn dancing first you have the grave measures, then the Cervantoes and the Golliards, and this is kept up with ceremony. At length to Trenchmore and the _Cushion Dance_; and then all the company dance, lord and groom, lady and kitchen-maid, no distinction. But in King Charles's time there has been nothing but Trenchmore and the Cushion Dance," &c. The "Whishin Dance" (an old-fashioned dance, in which a cushion is used to kneel upon), mentioned by Dickinson (_Cumberland Glossary_), is probably the same game or dance, "whishin" meaning cushion. Brockett (_North Country Words_) mentions "Peas Straw," the final dance at a rustic party; something similar to the ancient "Cushion Dance" at weddings. It is also recorded in Evans' _Leicestershire Glossary_, and by Burton in the following passage from the _Anatomy of Melancholy_: "A friend of his reprehended him for dancing beside his dignity, belike at some cushen dance." In the version from East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, the expression "in our degree" in the first line of the verse is apparently meaningless, and it is probably a corruption of "highdigees, highdegrees," a dialect word for roystering, high spirits, merriment, dancing, romping. Elworthy (_Somerset Words_) gives this word, and quotes the following line from Drayton:--

Dance many a merry round and many a highdegy.

--_Polyolbion_, Bk. xxv., l. 1162.

(_d_) The transition from a dance to a pure game is well illustrated by the different versions, and the connection of the dance with the ceremony of marriage is obvious. A curious account of the merry-makings at marriages is given in Coverdale's _Christen State of Matrimony_, 1543: "After the banket and feast there beginneth a mad and unmannerly fashion; for the bride must be brought into an open dauncing-place. Then is there such a running, leaping, and flinging among them that a man might think all these dauncers had cast all shame behinde them, and were become starke mad, and out of their wits, and that they were sworne to the devil's daunce. Then must the bride keep foote with all dauncers, and refuse none, how scabbed, foule, drunken, rude, and shameless soever he be. . . . After supper must they begin to pipe and daunce again of anew. And though the young persons come once towards their rest, yet can they have no quietness."--1575 edit., fol. 59, rev. 60. Edward L. Rimbault, writing in _Notes and Queries_, vi. 586, says it was formerly the custom at weddings, both of the rich as well as the poor, to dance after dinner and supper. In an old Court masque of James I.'s time, performed at the marriage ceremony of Philip Herbert and Lady Susan (MS. in the writer's possession), it is directed that, at the conclusion of the performance, "after supper" the company "dance a round dance." This was "dancing the bride to bed." William Chappell (_Notes and Queries_,