Truth or dare?
| Players | 2 or more |
|---|---|
| Playing time | None |
| Chance | low |
| Skills | creativity, embarrassment tolerance |
Truth or dare? is a mostly verbal party game requiring two or more players. Players are given the choice between answering a question truthfully, or performing a "dare". The game is particularly popular among adolescents and children.
History
[edit]
The game has existed for hundreds of years, with at least one variant, "questions and commands", being attested as early as 1712:
A Christmas game, in which the commander bids their subjects to answer a question which is asked. If the subject refuses or fails to satisfy the commander, they must pay a forfeit [follow a command] or have their face smutted [dirtied].[1]
Truth or dare may ultimately derive from command games such as the ancient Greek basilinda (in Greek: βασιλίνδα). This game is described by Julius Pollux: "in which we are told a king, elected by lot, commanded his comrades what they should perform".[2]
In some cases, pedophiles have used the Truth or Dare game to groom their victims.[3][4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "E. Cobham Brewer, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 1898". Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Joseph Strutt, Sports and Pastimes of the People of England, 1903". Archived from the original on 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- ^ https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/special-needs-teaching-assistant-played-31648168
- ^ Bigle, Kaigan (2024-11-24). "Man accused of playing predatory 'truth or dare' game with preteen boys". KJZZ-TV. Archived from the original on 2025-10-12.
| Guessing games | |
|---|---|
| Other games | |
