Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

My hometown of Dillsburg, PA has a restored 18th century tavern known as Dill Tavern after its original owner and founder of our town Matthew Dill. On the first friday or each month people dress up in colonial garb and get together for tavern type activities one of which is the game of Farkle or Farkel. It's a fun game but I was curious about its origins and all I can find is a dubious history that says the game is hundreds of years old, was first played by Sir Albert Farkle, etc. It seems more likely that it began in the late 20th century after the Laugh In sketch with Fred Farkle and Ferd Burfle. Our town has fallen prey to something like this before when someone started marketing Pickle ornaments as a Victorian custom. It's fun but not true. I'll still enjoy playing and saying Farkle! but I'd like to know if the word is relatively new or old.

Thanks,

Paul Tucker
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