ring game
n.— «Dances were often held at ranch houses, but many Baptists opposed dancing to music. Still wanting to dance, Bill and his friends solved this dilemma by participating in what was known as “ring games.” As in square dancing, ring games included someone who called out dancing instructions that couples followed, often at an increasingly quicker pace.» —“Pie Town childhood was true West story” Valencia County News-Bulletin (Belen, New Mexico) June 21, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Chris in San Antonio, Texas, a professional musician, asks where the word gig comes from. While gig is now the standard term for a musical engagement and has broadened to any short-term job, its early origins are murky. It may be related to the term...
If there’s a logophile on your gift list, you have lots of choices, including a new trivia game for language-lovers and a murder mystery for the word-obsessed. Plus, if someone calls you a schmoozer, should you be flattered or insulted? And if...