Parlour game

Parlour game

A parlor game is a group game played indoors. During the Victorian era in Great Britain and in the United States, these games were extremely popular among the upper and middle classes. They were often played in a parlour, hence the name.

During the 19th century, wealthy men and women had more leisure time than people of previous generations. This led to the creation of a variety of parlour games to allow these gentlemen and ladies to amuse themselves at small parties. Parlour games decreased in popularity in the first half of the 20th century as radio, movies, and later, television captured more of the public's leisure time. Though decreased in popularity, parlour games continue to be played. Some remain nearly identical to their Victorian ancestors; others have been transformed into board games such as Balderdash.

Many parlour games involve logic or word-play. Others, such as blind man's bluff, are more physical games, but not to the extent of a sport or exercise. Some also involve dramatic skill, such as in charades. Most do not require any equipment beyond what would be available in a typical parlour. Parlour games are usually competitive, but cumulative scores are not usually kept and the only reward for winning a round is the admiration of one's peers. The length and ending time of the game is typically not set; play continues until the players decide to end the game.

The phrase "parlour game" has entered political dialogue, and is used to accuse opponents of using deliberately nebulous or confusing language when describing a particular position on an issue.

Examples

Examples of parlor games include:

*Are you there Moriarty?
*Squeak Piggy Squeak
*Carnelli
*Charades
*Consequences
*Dictionary (Fictionary)
*Snap-dragon
*Twenty questions
*Blind man's bluff
*Mafia/Werewolf
*Elephant's foot umbrella stand
*Wink Murder
*The Minister's Cat
*Tiddlywinks
*Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

ee also

*Party game
*Drawing room
*Salon

External links

* [http://www.netguides.org.uk/guides/christmasparlourgames.html Christmas Parlour games]
* [http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/parlour-games.html List of parlour games]
* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/cassells/cassells-26.htm 'Household Amusements']


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • parlour game — parlour games N COUNT A parlour game is a game that is played indoors by families or at parties, for example a guessing game or word game. (in AM, use parlor game) …   English dictionary

  • parlour game — n BrE old fashioned a game that can be played indoors, such as a guessing game or a word game …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • parlour game — ► NOUN ▪ an indoor game, especially a word game …   English terms dictionary

  • parlour game — noun a game suitable for playing in a parlor • Syn: ↑parlor game • Hypernyms: ↑game • Hyponyms: ↑word game, ↑board game * * * parlour game noun An (esp informal) indoor game …   Useful english dictionary

  • parlour game — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms parlour game : singular parlour game plural parlour games old fashioned any simple game that people play inside a house, usually involving words, acting, or guessing …   English dictionary

  • parlour game — noun Any of a number of amusing games played indoors with few props by the members of a social gathering. Do you know that parlour game, Yarrell dear? Are you a performer at Musical Chairs? …   Wiktionary

  • parlour game — BrE parlor game AmE noun (C) old fashioned a game that can be played indoors, such as a guessing game or a word game …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • parlour game — noun an indoor game, especially a word game …   English new terms dictionary

  • parlour game — /ˈpalə geɪm/ (say pahluh gaym) noun any of a variety of indoor games, as consequences, quizzes, or the like, as played at parties. Also, parlor game …  

  • parlour — n. (US parlor) 1 a sitting room in a private house. 2 a room in a hotel, convent, etc., for the private use of residents. 3 esp. US a shop providing specified goods or services (beauty parlour; ice cream parlour). 4 a room or building equipped… …   Useful english dictionary

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