Talk:Marco Polo (game)

Latest comment: 7 years ago by Scoundr3l in topic In the bluff?

Evolution of name? edit

I reverted an edit that suggested the name for this game evolved from Water Polo. The edit was made by User:Pattycap11, and it could be a very nice addition to the article if there was a source to attribute it to. Lizzius (talk) 21:32, 11 August 2016 (UTC)Reply

Yeah, this article gets a lot of edits from people repeating stories/etymologies they've heard. We have to be insistent on sources. SQGibbon (talk) 22:36, 11 August 2016 (UTC)Reply
For what it's worth, I second the theory that the name may have come from "Water Polo" as the linked Dictionary survey even mentions "water polo" as one of the most commonly named pool games at the time. Unfortunately, though, I can find no reliable sources which echo this theory. Scoundr3l (talk) 18:55, 29 August 2016 (UTC)Reply
Well, I found a source which denies the connection. The origins are still a mystery, but at least this theory is referenced now. Scoundr3l (talk) 17:57, 30 August 2016 (UTC)Reply

In the bluff? edit

The text of "blind man's bluff" vs "blind man's buff" has changed a number of times recently, beginning with this guy who called buff a typo, then my reversion back to buff because it wasn't a typo, then this change to bluff, then my bringing consistency to bluff since there is a Wisegeek quote using "bluff", then there's this.

I don't care which version we use, but shouldn't we be consistent across the uses? Cyphoidbomb (talk) 19:55, 30 August 2016 (UTC)Reply

Seems like one of those US vs UK spelling debates in mild disguise. Currently it appears that the article is using "bluff" in all three instances. The argument could be made that 'buff' is the more original or more correct variation, but since both are correct and bluff is used by this article's source, I'd like to see that consistency stick. Personally, I also think it sounds better, but that's me. Scoundr3l (talk) 01:22, 31 August 2016 (UTC)Reply
I recall reading an American children's book when I was a kid that referenced "blind man's buff". I don't think it's a crossing-the-pond issue. I think the more contemporary version is "bluff" perhaps as an artifact of misuse over time. Cyphoidbomb (talk) 01:40, 31 August 2016 (UTC)Reply
Yeah, it just brings to mind those articles where hapless but well-meaning readers say "fixed typo. it's aluminum, not aluminium, lol" and consistency tug-of-war (see also: rope war, tug war, war of tug) ensues, haha. Scoundr3l (talk) 02:01, 31 August 2016 (UTC)Reply