Chapter III: Part 3

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."

"Taking off" Candles "Taking off"

Cat's Cradle (upside down) Cat's Eyes Fish.]

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--