clapping games

clapping games
   Most are played by two girls standing face to face and clapping their own and each others' hands in a set pattern and in time with a chanted or sung text. To the uninitiated, the process seems dextrous and complex, but the movements are relatively few and repetitive and can be picked up quite quickly. Most junior school girls in England will know a half a dozen clapping games, and the overall repertoire is not large, perhaps 20 to 30. The more innovative, however, will adapt other rhymes if necessary. Clapping games were certainly known in earlier periods but seem to have lost favour from about 1900 to after the Second World War. Since then they have enjoyed a renaissance, probably under American influence, and are now an integral part of the playground game repertoire. An example of a clapping rhyme is
   Have you ever, ever, ever, in your long-legged life Seen a long-legged sailor with a long-legged wife.
   No, I've never, ever, ever, in my long-legged life Seen a long-legged sailor with a long-legged wife.
   (Successive verses replace 'long-legged' with 'knock-kneed', 'bow-legged', etc.)
   ■ Opie and Opie, 1985.

A Dictionary of English folklore. . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clapping game — A clapping game (or hand game) is a type of usually cooperative (i.e., non competitive) game which is generally played by two players and involves clapping as accompaniment to a singing game or reciting of a rhyme. Clapping games are found… …   Wikipedia

  • Topic outline of games — For a more comprehensive list, see the List of game topics. Games are structured or semi structured activities, usually undertaken for enjoyment. They are usually fun activities that can be educational or purely just for fun. The term game is… …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of games — See also: Index of game related articles The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to games and gaming: Games – structured or semi structured activities, usually undertaken for enjoyment. They are usually fun… …   Wikipedia

  • List of traditional children's games — This is a list of traditional children s games. They are informal games, most often played by children without adult organisation, sometimes even despite the disapproval of adults. They are part of children s street culture. There is a list of… …   Wikipedia

  • List of children's street games — This is a list of games that are traditionally played by urban children in playgrounds, parking lots, and back streets. They are all games which may be played on a hard surface, like asphalt. They are part of children s street culture. Contents 1 …   Wikipedia

  • Children's street games — This is a list of games that are traditionally played by urban children in playgrounds, parking lots, and back streets. They are all games which may be played on a hard surface, like asphalt. They are part of children s street culture. treet game …   Wikipedia

  • Down Down Baby — is a clapping game played by children in English speaking countries. In the game, two or more children stand in a circle, and clap hands in tune to a rhyming song. As with most hand clapping games, there are many variations. Modified versions of… …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Mack — For the Scottish song see Mary Mack (Scottish folk song); for the California Congresswoman see Mary Bono Mack. Mary Mack is a clapping game played by children in English speaking countries. It is known in various parts of the United States and in …   Wikipedia

  • Miss Susie — (also Miss Suzy, Miss Lucy, Miss Molly, When Maxie, Miss Mary, Miss Cassima or Helen ) is the name of an American schoolyard rhyme and clapping game in which almost each verse leads up to a rude word or profanity which is elided into the next… …   Wikipedia

  • Jump-rope rhyme — A skipping rhyme (occasionally skipping rope rhyme or jump rope rhyme), is a rhyme chanted by children while skipping. Such rhymes have been recorded in all cultures where skipping is played. Examples of English language rhymes have been found… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”