Word game: Difference between revisions
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A '''word game''' is a game that uses [[word|words]], [[letter|letters]], [[sentence|sentences]] or other parts of a language. They are often [[board game | A '''word game''' is a [[game]] that uses [[word (language)|words]], [[letter (alphabet)|letters]], [[sentence (linguistics)|sentences]] or other parts of a [[language (general)|language]]. They are often [[board game]]s, but are not necessarily; for example, [[Scrabble]] Slam does not use a board. Wordplay is often classified with word games. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
One of the first known instances of wordplay | One of the first known instances of wordplay is the so-called Sator Square. This was found in an inscription in [[Herculaneum]]. It contains five words, each of five letters: | ||
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The | The words together form a 25-letter [[palindrome]] that can be read vertically or horizontally.<ref>Walter O. Moeller: The Mithraic Origin and Meanings of the ROTAS-SATOR Square (Leiden: Brill, 1973).</ref><ref>It is believed it may have been written by [[Christianity|Christians]] as the word PATERNOSTER is contained within. [http://www.plexoft.com/DTF/Sator.html Plexoft].</ref> The [[Latin language|Latin]] means: "Arepo the Sower holds the wheels, his works". | ||
Anagrams were popular in Roman times and the [[Middle Ages]] and are still popular today. Crosswords were invented in 1913<ref>[http://www.crosswordtools.com/cryptic-crosswords.php Crossword Tools]</ref> and Scrabble in the 1930s ('31 or '38 - the precise date varies depending on the source).<ref>[http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/scrabble.htm Scrabble history]</ref> Many other word games have become popular more recently, such as Boggle and Scrabble Slam - and of course, nowadays these all have online counterparts. | |||
==Examples== | |||
*Crosswords | |||
*Boggle | |||
*Scrabble | |||
*Anagrams | |||
*Palindromes | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
Latest revision as of 20:21, 3 November 2011
A word game is a game that uses words, letters, sentences or other parts of a language. They are often board games, but are not necessarily; for example, Scrabble Slam does not use a board. Wordplay is often classified with word games.
History
One of the first known instances of wordplay is the so-called Sator Square. This was found in an inscription in Herculaneum. It contains five words, each of five letters:
| S | A | T | O | R |
| A | R | E | P | O |
| T | E | N | E | T |
| O | P | E | R | A |
| R | O | T | A | S |
The words together form a 25-letter palindrome that can be read vertically or horizontally.[1][2] The Latin means: "Arepo the Sower holds the wheels, his works".
Anagrams were popular in Roman times and the Middle Ages and are still popular today. Crosswords were invented in 1913[3] and Scrabble in the 1930s ('31 or '38 - the precise date varies depending on the source).[4] Many other word games have become popular more recently, such as Boggle and Scrabble Slam - and of course, nowadays these all have online counterparts.
Examples
- Crosswords
- Boggle
- Scrabble
- Anagrams
- Palindromes
References
- ↑ Walter O. Moeller: The Mithraic Origin and Meanings of the ROTAS-SATOR Square (Leiden: Brill, 1973).
- ↑ It is believed it may have been written by Christians as the word PATERNOSTER is contained within. Plexoft.
- ↑ Crossword Tools
- ↑ Scrabble history