Quiz Guy John Chaneski brought us a puzzle based on one of his favorite party games: Taboo. If he gave you a series of terms that all match up with a certain word — like car, clock, burglar, and siren — what word would you say goes with them? This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Taboo Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett, and on the line is our quiz guide, John Chaneski.
Hello, John.
It’s me. Hi, Grant. Hi, Martha.
My wife and I occasionally like to have parties, and we have party games.
And one party game I’m sure you’re familiar with, a board game, is Taboo.
Oh, it’s a super party game.
How does that work?
Well, you have to describe something to your teammates, but you’re not allowed to use certain words, five words, as a matter of fact.
For example, if I was trying to get you to guess the word snowman, I would not be able to use the words winter or build.
Oh, and of course, you can’t use snow or man and other words.
Now, we’re going to try reverse taboo.
That’s where I’ll give you a list of words, and you tell me the term that those words are taboo for.
For example, signed, huge, first, signature, declaration of independence.
John Hancock.
Taboo for John Hancock.
Yes, very good.
Got it.
Now, of course, the sooner you get the term, the more impressed I will be.
Oh.
If you’re playing for points at home, let’s say 10 in the first word, 8 for the second, 6 for the third, 4 for the fourth, 2 for the last.
Oh.
We’re not keeping score, but this way you can—
What do points mean?
Prizes!
Points mean prizes.
We’re not keeping score, but you can play it as a game this way at home.
Please do.
Okay.
Let’s do it.
Here’s the first one.
Cold.
Eating.
Popsicle.
No.
Snow cone.
Let’s go one guess for each of you.
Al fresco.
To streamline it.
No.
Cold.
Eating.
Fast.
Headache.
Ice cream.
Brain freeze.
Ice cream is the last one.
Brain freeze is correct.
Nice.
There’s one for Martha.
She found the weakness in your plan, which is you didn’t put a limit on the number of guesses.
That’s true.
Yeah.
That’s why we do play testing.
It’s time to play test.
Right.
Here’s the next.
Credit card.
Money.
Pocket.
Purse.
Hold.
Handbook.
Wallet.
Wallet is correct.
Another one for Martha.
Very good.
Next one is awake.
Bed.
Conscious.
Insomnia.
Night.
Stroll.
Sleepwalking.
Sleepwalk is correct.
Nice.
Brooke.
Violin concerto.
Violent concerto is not right.
Brooke.
Chatter.
Tower.
Babble.
Babble is right.
Very good.
Look at you.
This is your game.
Tower.
It’s in her wheelhouse.
Just throwing words out.
I’m just like clowning around over here, and Martha’s like serious.
She’s like, I’m going to get this.
I’m doing it.
Hermione is at it again.
Eye of the tiger.
She’s in there.
Eye of the tiger.
Car.
Clock.
Burglar.
Siren.
Alarm.
Alarm is right.
Didn’t even need fire.
Very good.
Give it to both of you.
Imaginary.
Great.
Four.
F-O-U-R.
Unreal.
Amazing.
The Beatles.
No.
Yeah, I was thinking Beatles or Mount Rushmore.
Imaginary friend?
No.
Imaginary.
Fantastic?
Yes.
Fantastic, Grant.
Good one.
Let’s try eggs, breakfast, eat, pig, sausage.
Bacon.
Bacon’s right, yes.
You guys are fantastic.
You have to come over to my house for a party.
No, Martha, you aced this one.
I got like one, and John tried to buck me up with some false praise, but okay.
Thanks, buddy.
I really appreciate it.
I love free associating.
Thank you, guys.
We’ll talk to you next week.
Thanks, John.
I’ll see you next week.
Take care.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
And if you’d like to talk with us about any aspect of language whatsoever, call us 877-929-9673 or send your questions and observations to words@waywordradio.org.
