Mumblety-peg facts for kids
Mumblety-peg is an old outdoor game that people used to play with pocketknives. It's also known by names like mumbley-peg or mumble-the-peg. The name "mumblety-peg" comes from a rule where the loser of the game had to pull a small wooden peg (about 2 or 3 inches long) out of the ground using only their teeth! Famous author Mark Twain even wrote about "mumbletypeg" as a popular game for boys in his book Tom Sawyer, Detective.
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How to Play Mumblety-peg
Mumblety-peg is usually played by two people using a pocket knife. There are a few different ways to play this game.
Basic Version
In the simplest version of Mumblety-peg:
- One player throws a knife end over end.
- The goal is to make the knife stick as deep as possible into the ground.
- The other player then tries to pull the knife out of the ground using their teeth. This is where the name "mumblety-peg" comes from, though sometimes a small peg was used instead of the knife.
Foot-Proximity Game
Another common way to play involves standing opposite each other:
- Players stand with their feet about shoulder-width apart.
- The first player throws the knife. They try to make it stick in the ground as close to their own foot as possible.
- The second player then does the same thing.
- The player who gets the knife to stick closest to their own foot wins the game.
- This game needs good aim and a bit of bravery. It's about showing off your skill and judging how well you can throw.
Skill Challenge Variants
There are many fun ways to play Mumblety-peg that focus on skill and tricks. These versions are safer and more about showing off your throwing ability.
H-O-R-S-E Style Game
This version is like the basketball game H-O-R-S-E:
- The first player tries to stick their knife into the ground using a special or unusual throw. This could be throwing it from behind their back or off their knee.
- If they succeed, the second player must copy that exact throw.
- If the second player can't do it, they might get a "letter" (like in H-O-R-S-E).
- The game continues until one player can't copy the trick.
Body Part Throws
Another skill challenge involves starting the throw from different parts of your body:
- A player places the knife tip on a body part, like their elbow, wrist, or shoulder.
- They then push the knife handle so it spins end over end.
- The goal is for the knife to stick into the ground.
- If a player succeeds, they get to choose the next "trick" or body part throw.
- The other player must then try to do the same trick.
- This version was shown in the TV miniseries "Lonesome Dove".
- If there are many players, the game continues until only one player is left who can keep doing the tricks.
Images for kids
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Detail of George Caleb Bingham's 1852 work The County Election, showing two boys playing a game described as mumblety-peg