Ohio and Cambridge, Mass.
72. A formula for making a false statement: “As true as I lie here,” said, as one fools, gives free scope to white lies.
Roxbury, Mass.
73. An imprecation of children against disloyalty:—
Tell tale tit,
Your tongue shall be slit,
And every dog in our town
It shall have a bit.
Ohio.
CHALLENGE.
To “stump” another boy to do a thing is considered as putting a certain obligation on him to perform the action indicated. The phrase is sometimes used, although the person giving the “stump” may not himself be able to accomplish the feat.
74. We used to “dare” or “stump” one another to eat green “chuckcherries.”
75. Daring or “stumping” is or has been common among children generally. Sometimes it is to jump a certain distance; sometimes to skate out on thin ice; again, to touch something very hot. Once in Ohio several lads were collected together about a spring. One of them drew a pail of fresh water and by chance brought up a small live fish. One of the boys “stumped” his companions to eat the fish alive, without dressing or cooking. The boys took the “stump,” one quickly cut up the unfortunate little animal and each boy swallowed a bit. Often the dare is to eat some very untoothsome morsel.