(no subject)

[pensnest]

Do Americans play Jackstraws? If not, what do you play instead? Is it called 'pick-up sticks' or something?

Comments

[dine]

I'm not sure how commonly that's played anymore, but when I was a kid, we knew it as 'pick-up sticks'

[pensnest]

Thank you - I don't think it's played much here either, but I had a feeling Jackstraws was too British. :-)

[watervole]

Spillikins was another name, though that's a very old one from my great aunts generation.

[antisoppist]

I was going to say Spillikins too but I'm British and didn't know whether or not it was American.

[watervole]

British as far I have any knowledge.

[pensnest]

Spillikins is also a better name than pick-up sticks, which is very prosaic!

[pensnest]

Spillikins, yes! I think I've probably seen that one in period fiction, it certainly sounds older than jackstraws. Or possibly more upper class?

[watervole]

Just older. Simple wooden sticks with nothing more than a notch by way of a hook.

[fleurrochard]

I had to google what you meant - in Germany it's called Mikado. :)

[pensnest]

Ah, I think I've seen that, too. Is it played with simple straight sticks? I had a set of jackstraws when I was at school which were in the shape of tools, a hoe, a crutch, an axe, all kinds of things.

[brandywine28.livejournal.com]

It's been awhile for me (i.e. I'm ooooold!), but yeah, "pick-up sticks" sounds pretty accurate.

[pensnest]

I had a feeling 'jackstraws' was too 'old English'. Thanks!

Pick-up sticks

[pukku.livejournal.com]

I think I've heard of "jackstraws" (although I read a lot of British stuff), but at least to me, the normal name would be pick-up sticks.

Re: Pick-up sticks

[pensnest]

Yeah, it doesn't surprise me - 'jackstraws' feels like a game that was probably around in the Middle Ages, or something.

[zelda-zee.livejournal.com]

I never thought before what an awkward name for a game "Pick-up Sticks" is.

[pensnest]

I have a tenuous idea that there was a branded version of the game called 'Pick Up Sticks' (or Stix) over here at one time. Jackstraws is better, because it's more obviously a game, I think.