See “[Shame Reel, or Shamit Dance].”
Salt Eel
This is something like “[Hide and Find].” The name of Salt Eel may have been given it from one of the points of the game, which is to baste the runaway individual, whom you may overtake, all the way home with your handkerchief, twisted hard for that purpose. Salt Eel implies on board ship a rope’s ending, and on shore an equivalent process.—Moor’s Suffolk Words and Phrases.
Save All
Two sides are chosen in this game. An even number of boys, say eight on each side. Half of these run out of the line, and are chased by half of the boys from the other side. If two out of four get “home” to door or lamp-post, they save all the prisoners which have been made; if two out of four are caught before the others get “home,” the side catching them beats.—Deptford (Miss Chase).
Say Girl
A game undescribed, recorded by the Rev. S. D. Headlam as played by some Hoxton school children.—Church Reformer, 1894.
Scat
A paper-knife, or thin slip of wood, is placed by one player on his open palm. Another takes it up quickly, and tries to “scat” his opponent’s hand before he can draw it away. Sometimes a feint of taking the paper-knife is made three or four times before it is really done. When the “scat” is given, the “scatter” in his turn rests the knife on his palm. Scat is the Cornish for “slap.”—Folk-lore Journal, v. 50.