Mumblety-peg facts for kids

A man losing at the game of mumblety-peg

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.

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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  Boy Scouts playing "mumble the peg", circa 1915

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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