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Another alternative is to give the definition of the word this can be used to facilitate the learning of a foreign language. Some modifications to game play ( house rules) to increase the difficulty level are sometimes implemented, such as limiting guesses on high-frequency consonants and vowels. A common alternative for teachers is to draw an apple tree with ten apples, erasing or crossing out the apples as the guesses are used up. Although debates have arisen about the game, it is still in use today. Variants Īs the name of the game suggests, the diagram is designed to look like a hanging man. However, the guesser can also win by guessing all the letters that appear in the word, thereby completing the word, before the diagram is completed. On the other hand, if the guesser makes enough incorrect guesses to allow the other player to complete the diagram, the guesser loses. Otherwise, the other player may choose to penalize the guesser by adding an element to the diagram.
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If the word is correct, the game is over and the guesser wins. The player guessing the word may, at any time, attempt to guess the whole word.
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If the suggested letter does not occur in the word, the other player draws one element of a hanged stick figure as a tally mark. If the guessing player suggests a letter which occurs in the word, the other player writes it in all its correct positions. Rules may permit or forbid proper nouns, such as names, places, brands, or slang.
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The word to guess is represented by a row of dashes representing each letter of the word. This version lacks the image of a hanged man, instead relying on keeping score as to the number of attempts it took each player to fill in the blanks.Ī version which incorporated hanging imagery was described in a 1902 Philadelphia Inquirer article, which stated that it was popular at "White Cap" parties hosted by "Vigilance Committees" where guests would wear "white peaked caps with masks". Though the origins of the game are unknown, a variant is mentioned in a book of children's games assembled by Alice Gomme in 1894 called Birds, Beasts, and Fishes.
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