The Games of Gargantua (1534—)
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One of the most famous historical lists of games is that found in Chaper 22 of François Rabelais’ Gargantua, first published in 1534. In the original French the list contained 216 games, but in each translation the games that are named were changed and often expanded upon. Many of the games are either invented by Rabelais, or are games for which we no longer know the rules.
An in-depth examination of the games in the list lies below the table.
The first five columns give the lists from five different French editions; the remaining columns are from translations into English.
The lists of Nicolaas Jarichides Wieringa (Dutch, 1682) and Johann Fischarts (German, 1590) are given beneath the table as they diverge significantly.
🚧 This article, more than most, is a work-in-progress. Note that the entries in the Screech column are out of sync with the others and I haven’t had time to match them up yet. 🚧
⚠️ This table is very wide and might scroll horizontally. My notes are at the far right.
ed. François Juste | ed. François Juste | ed. Etienne Dolet | ed. François Juste | ed. Louis Moland | tr. Frame | my notes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
au fleux | au flux | au flux | au flux | au flux | at flusse | flusse | flushes | flush | flush | flush | (card term, see below) |
a la pꝛime | a la pꝛime | a la prime | a la pꝛime | a la prime | at primero | primero | primero | primiera | primiera | primero | (card term, see below) |
a la vole | a la vole | a la uole | a la vole | a la vole | at the beast | palm | grand slam | grand slam | grand slam | trumps | (card term, see below) |
a le pille | a le pille | a la pille | a la pille | a la pille | at the rifle | robber | little slam | robber | robber | heads-or-tails | |
a la triumphe | a la triumphe | a la triumphe | a la triumphe | a la triomphe | at trump | triumph | trumps | trump | trumps | triumphs | |
a la picardie | a la picardie | a la picardie | a la picardie | a la picardie | at the prick and spare not | prick and spare not | prick and spare not | prick and spare not | prick and spare not | Picardy spades | |
au cēt | au cent | au cent | au cent | au cent | at the hundred | the hundred | hundred-up | one hundred | one hundred | discard | |
a leſpinay | a leſpinay | a l’eſpinay | a leſpinay | a l’espinay | at the peenie | the spinet | penny-points | the spinet | the spinet | spinets | |
— | — | — | a la malheureuſe | a la malheureusse | at the unfortunate woman | poor moll | old maid | poor moll | old maid | poor little girl | |
— | — | — | au fourby | au fourby | at the fib | the fib | cheat | the fib | cheat | sneak | |
— | — | — | a paſſe dix | a passe dix | at the passe ten | pass ten | ten-and-pass | pass ten | ten-and-pass | first-to-get-ten | (see Passage) |
a trēt ⁊ un | a trēt ⁊ vn | a trente, & ung | a trent ⁊ vng | a trente et un | at one and thirtie | trente et quarante | thirty-one | trente et un | trente-et-un | one-and-thirty | |
— | a pair ⁊ ſequēce | a pair, & ſequence | a pair ⁊ ſequence | a pair et sequence | at post and paire, or even and sequence | pair and sequence | pair and sequence | pair and sequence | fair and straight | post and pair | |
— | a troys cens | a troys cents | a troys cens | a trois cens | at three hundred | three hundred | three-hundred | three hundred | three hundred | three hundred points wins | |
— | au malheureux | au malheureux | au malheureux | au malheureux | at the unluckie man | beggar my neighbour | beggar-my-neighbour | beggar my neighbour | beggar my neighbour | wretches | |
a la cōdemnade | a la condemnade | a la condemnade | a la condemnade | a la condemnade | at the last couple in hell | odd man out | odd man out | odd man out | odd man out | la condemnata | |
a la carte virade | a la carte virade | a la charte uirade | a la charte virade | a la charte virade | at the hock | the turned card | turn the card | the turned card | turn the card | guess-the-card | |
au moucōtēt | au moucōtent | au malcontent | au maucontent | au malcontent | at the surlie | take miss ... hère | poor Jack | take miss | poor Jack | the malcontent | |
— | — | — | au lanſquenet | au lansquenet | at the lanskenet | lansquenet | lansquenet | lansquenet | lansquenet | lansquenets’ gamble | |
au cocu | au cocu | au coqu | au cocu | au cocu | at the cukoe | cuckow | cuckold | cuckow | cuckold | the cuckold | |
a q̄ a ſi parle | a qui a ſi parle | a qui a, ſi parle | a qui a ſi parle | a qui a si parle | at puffe, or let him speak that hath it | let him speak that hath it | next man speak | let him speak that hath it | next man speak | ‘let him speak that hath it’ | |
a pille, nade, iocque, fore | a pille/nade/iocque/foꝛe | a pille, nade, iocque, fore | a pille, nade, iocque, foꝛe | a pille, nade, jocque, fore | at take nothing and throw out | teetotum | teetotum | teetotum | teetotum | one, two, buckle my shoe | |
a mariage | a mariage | a mariage | a mariaige | a mariaige | at the marriage | marriage | marriage | marriage | marriage | matrimony | |
au gay | au gay | au gay | au gay | au gay | at the frolick or jack daw | I have it | pair-royal | I have it | got it | I’ve got it | |
a lopinion | a lopinion | a l’opinion | a lopinion | a l’opinion | at the opinion | opinion | opinion | opinion | opinion | opinions | |
a q̄ faict lun faict lautre | a q̄ faict lun faict laultre | a qui faict l’ung faict l’auitre | a qui faict lung faict laultre | a qui faict l’un faict l’auitre | at who doth the one, doth the other | who doth one doth the other | follow-my-leader | who does one thing does the other | follow-my-leader | ‘who doth one does t’other’ | |
a la ſequēce | a la ſequence | a la ſequence | a la ſequence | a la sequence | at the sequences | sequences | sequences | sequences | sequences | sequences | |
aux luettes | au luettes | au luettes | au luettes | aux luettes | at the ivory bundles | cockall | sheep and wolves | cockall | cockall | mimic-the-card | |
au tarau | au tarau | au tarau | au tarau | au tarau | at the tarots | taroc | tarot | tarots | tarots | Spanish tarot | |
a qui gaigne perd | a coquinbert qui gaigne perd | a coquimbert, qui gaigne perd | a coquinbert qui gaigne perd | a coquinbert, qui gaigne perd | at losing load him | loser wins | the loser wins | losing lodam | loser wins | the winner loses | |
au beline | au beliné | au beline | au beline | au beliné | at he’s gulled and esto | gulls | gulls | gulls | snap | be diddled | |
— | au toꝛment | au tourment | au toꝛment | au torment | at the torture | torture | torture | torture | torture | tortures | |
a la ronfle | a la rōfle | a la ronfle | a la ronfle | a la ronfle | at the handruff | snorer | snorer | snorer | snorer | snore | |
an glic | an glic | au glic | au glic | au glic | at the click | gleek | hazard | gleek | rummy | click | (probably Gleek) |
aux hōneurs | aux hōneurs | aux honneurs | aux honneurs | aux honneurs | at honours | honours | honours | honors | honours | honours | (a card term or game) |
a lamourre | a la mourre | a la morre | a la mourre | a la mourre | at love | morra | morra | morra | morra | the morra | (see Morra) |
aux eſchetz | aux eſchetz | aux eſchetz | aux eſchetz | aux eschetz | at the chesse | chess | chess | chess | chess | chess | (see Chess) |
au renard | au renard | au renard | au renard | au renard | at Reynold the fox | fox and geese | fox and geese | fox and geese | fox and geese | the fox | |
aux marrelles | au marrelles | aux marrelles | aux marelles | aux marelles | at the squares | morris | squares | the men’s morris | the men’s morris | ludo | (see Nine Men’s Morris) |
aux vaſches | au vaſches | aux uaſches | au vaſches | aux vaches | at the cowes | pick-a-back | pick-a-back | black and white | pick-a-back | cows | |
a la blanche | a la blanche | a la blanche | a la blanche | a la blanche | at the lottery | blank draw | blanks | raffles | raffles | whites | (a lottery game, similar to tombola) |
a la chāce | a la chāce | a la chance | a la chance | a la chance | at the chance or mumchance | mumchance | speculation | mumchance | speculation | chance | (probably a dice game) |
a troys dez | a troys dez | a troys detz | a trois dez | a trois dés | at three dice or maniest bleaks | three dice | three dice | three dice | three dice | triple-dice | |
aux tables | au talles | aux tables | au tables | aux tables | at the tables | draughts | tables | tables | knucklebones | knuckle-bones | (tables) |
a la nicnocque | a la nicnocq̄ | a la nicnocque | a la nicnocque | a la nicque nocque | at the nivinivinack | nick-nock | nick-nock | nick nock | nick-nock | nick-knack | (a tables game) |
a lourche | au lourche | au lourche | au lourche | au lourche | at the lurch | lurch | lurch | lurch | lurch | lurch | (a tables game) |
a la renette | a la renette | a la renette | a la renette | a la renette | at doublets or queens-game | queen’s game | queen’s game | queen’s game | queen’s game | little queen | (a tables game) |
au barignin | au barignin | au barignin | au barignin | au barignin | at the failie | sbaraligno | sbaraligno | sbaraligno | sbaraligno | sbaraligno | (a tables game) |
au trictrac | au trictrac | au trictrac | au trictrac | au trictrac | at the French tictac | backgammon | backgammon | backgammon | backgammon | tric-trac | (a tables game) |
a toutes tabies | a toutes tables | a toutes tables | a toutes tables | a toutes tables | at the long tables or ferkeering | long tables | long tables | all tables | — | tables all | (a tables game) |
aux tables rabatues | au tables rabatues | aux tables rabatues | au tables rabatues | aux tables rabatues | at feldown | fell down | fall-down | fell down | all fall down | dice-and-domino tables | (a tables game) |
au reniguebleu | au reniguebieu | au reniguebieu | au reniguebieu | au reniguebieu | at Tods body | hang it all | s’welp me God | copsbody | dogsbody | ‘I deny gosh’ | (soldier’s expletive, a dice game) |
au foꝛce | au foꝛcé | au forçat | au foꝛce | au forcé | at needs must | needs must | needs must | needs must | needs must | huff | (i.e. the game of draughts with forced capture) |
aux dames | au dames | aux dames | au dames | aux dames | at the dames or draughts | draughts | draughts | draughts | draughts | draughts | (draughts) |
a la babou | a la babou | a la babou | a la babou | a la babou | at bob and mow | mop and mow | sucks-to-you | mop and mow | mop and mow | pouting | (dice game) |
a pꝛimus ſecūdus | a pꝛimus ſecundus | a primus ſecundus | a pꝛimus ſecundus | a primus secundus | at primus secundus | primus secundus | primus secundus | primus, secundus | primus, secundus | ‘come first, come second’ | |
au pied du couſteau | au pied du couſteau | au pied du couſteau | au pied du couſteau | au pied du cousteau | at mark-knife | mark-knife | hit-the-blade | shuffleboard | scrabble | toss-the-coin-near-the-knife | |
aux cleſz | au cleſz | aux cleſz | au cleſz | aux clefs | at the keyes | the keys | the keys | keys | go | keys | |
au franc du carreau | au franc du carreau | au franc du carreau | au franc du carreau | au franc du carreau | at span-counter | hop-scotch | chuck-penny | hopscotch | whist | shove-a-ha’penny | |
a par ou non | a pair ou ſou | a pair, ou non | a pair ou non | a pair ou non | at even or odd | odd or even | odds or evens | odds or evens | odds or evens | odds or evens | |
a croix ou pille | a croix ou pille | a croix, ou pile | a croix ou pile | a croix ou pile | at crosse or pile | heads or tails | heads or tails | heads or tails | heads or tails | heads or tails | |
— | — | — | au martres | aux martres | at bal and huckle-bones | huckle-bones | pebbles | huckle-bones | knuckle-bones | Normandy knucklebones | (word for knucklebones in Normandy) |
aux pīgres | au pingres | aux pingres | au pingres | aux pingres | at ivory balls | toss-pin | toss-pin | spillikins/jackstraw | spillikins | dibs | |
a la bille | a la bille | a la bille | a la bille | a la bille | at the billiards | billiards | billiards | lawn billiards | lawn billiards | croquet | |
— | au ſauatier | au ſauatier | au ſauatier | au savatier | at the bob and hit | hunt-the-slipper | slipper-boxing | hunt the slipper | hunt the slipper | hunt the slipper | |
— | au hybou | au hybou | au hybou | au hybou | at the owle | the owl | the owl | the moping owl | the moping owl | owl-bird’s cry | |
— | au doꝛelot du lieure | au dorelot du lieure | au doꝛelot du lieure | au dorelot du lievre | at the charming of the hare | coddling the hare | coddling the hare | coddling the hare | shooting the bunny | cuddle the hare | |
— | a la tirelitantaine | a la tirelitantaine | a la tirelitantaine | a la tirelitantaine | at pull yet a little | yet one tug | one more pull | tug of war | tug of war | snakes | |
— | a cochōnet va deuant | a cochonnet ua deuant | a cochonnet va deuant | a cochonnet va devant | at trudgepig | trudge-pig | skirmish | trudge-pig | piggy-in-the-middle | cast the jack to the fore | |
— | au pies | aux pies | au pies | aux pies | at the magatapies | magpies | magpies | magpies | Mick, Nick and the Maggies | hopping magpies | |
— | a la coꝛne | a la corne | a la coꝛne | a la corne | at the horne | the horn | the horn | the horn | the horn | horns, horn upon my head | |
— | au beuf viloe | au bœuf uiolé | au beuf viole | au bœuf violé | at the flower’d or shrovetide oxe | the shrove-tide ox | the Shrovetide ox | the Shrovetide ox | the Shrovetide ox | the cow and the fiddle | |
— | a la cheueche | a la cheueche | a la cheueche | a la cheveche | at the madge-owlet | the madge-owlet | the madge-owlet | the madge-owlet | two little dicky birds | screech-owls | |
— | a [inverted d]pous | ||||||||||
— | a ie te pinſe ſans rire | a ie te pinſe ſans rire | a ie te pinſe ſans rire | a je te pince sans rire | at pinch without laughing | pinch-without-laughing | pinch without laughing | hinch pinch and laugh not | keep a straight face | I tease but don’t you laugh | |
— | a picoter | a picoter | a picoter | a picoter | at prickle me tickle me | pricking | prick-pin | pinpricks | pinpricks | tickles | |
— | a dferrer laſne | a deferrer l’aſne | a deferrer laſne | a deferrer l’asne | at the unshoing of the Asse | unshoeing the ass | the unshoeing of the ass | unshoeing the ass | call my bluff | tickly, tickly your ass’s foot | |
— | a la iautru | a la iaultru | a la iautru | a la jautru | at the cocksesse | cocksess | the cocksess | sheep to market | sheep to market | ca’ the sheep | |
— | au bourry bourry zou | au bourry bourry zou | au bourry bourry zou | au bourry bourry zou | at hari hori | I spy, hie! | hide-and-seek | giddap, neddy | horsey | gee up little donkey | |
— | a ie maſſis | a ie m’aſsis | a ie maſſis | a je m’assis | at I set me down | I sit down | I sit down | I sit down | I sit down | I sit me down | |
— | a la barbe doꝛibꝰ | a la barbe d’oribus | a la barbe doꝛibus | a la barbe d’oribus | at earle beardie | gold-beard | shit-in-his-beard | gold-beard | shit-in-his-beard | gold-dust, gold-dust on your beard | |
— | a la bouſquine | a la bouſquine | a la bouſquine | a la bousquine | at the old mode | buskins | buskins | buskins | buskins | wild apples | |
— | a tire la bꝛoche | a tire la broche | a tire la bꝛoche | a tire la broche | at draw the spit | draw the spit | draw the spit | draw the spit | pin the tail on the donkey | pull out the spit | |
— | a la boutte foyꝛe | a la boutte foyre | a la boutte foyꝛe | a la boutte foyre | at put out | put out | chuck-him-out | chucker-out | chucker-out | shitty yew-twigs | |
— | a compere pꝛeſtez moy voſtre ſac | a compere preſtez moy uoſtre ſac | a compere pꝛeſtez moy voſtre ſac | a compere prestez moi vostre sac | at gossip lend me your sack | gossip, lend me your sack | uncle, lend me your sack | gossip, lend me your sack | pass the parcel | friend, lend me your sack | |
— | a la couille de belier | a la couille de belier | a la couille de belier | a la couille de belier | at the ramcod ball | ramscod ball | the ramscod ball | hamstool | it | toss me the ram’s ball | |
— | a boutte hoꝛs | a bourte hors | a boute hoꝛs | a boute hors | at thrust out the harlot | thrust out | out goes he | thrust out | out he goes | king of the castle | |
— | a figues de marſeille | a figues de Marſeille | a figues de marſeille | a figues de Marseile | at Marseil figs | Marseilles figs | Marseilles figs | Marseilles figs | cocking snooks | best figs from Marseilles | |
— | a la mouſque | a la mouſque | a la mouſque | a la mousque | at nicknamrie | at the fly | the fly | the fly | the fly | chase the fly round the rick | |
— | a larcher tru | a l’archer tru | a larcher tru | a l’archer tru | at stick and hole | bowman shot | the bowman-shot | bowman shot | darts | stop thief | |
— | — | — | a eſcoꝛcher le renard | a escorcher le renard | at boke or him, or flaying the fox | flay the fox | throw-it-up | flay the fox | throw-it-up | flay the fox | |
— | a la ramaſſe | a la ramaſſe | a la ramaſſe | a la ramasse | at the branching it | pick me up | pick-up | tobogganing | tobogganing | sledges | |
— | au croc madame | au croc Madame | au croc madame | au croc madame | at trill madam, or graple my Lady | nine-holes | nine-holes | hold the pass | hold the pass | trip her up | |
— | a vendre lauoine | a uendre l’auoyne | a vendꝛe louoine | a vendre l’avoine | at the cat selling | oat-selling | oat-selling | selling oats | selling oats | sell your oats | |
— | a ſouffler le charbon | a ſouffler le charbon | a ſouffler le charbon | a souffler le charbon | at blow the coale | blow the coal | blow the coal | blow the coal | blow the coal | blow the coal | |
— | au reſpōſailles | aux reſponſailles | au reſponſailles | aux responsailles | at the rewedding | re-wedding | marry again | hide and seek | hide and seek | all in a ring | |
— | au iuge vif, iuge moꝛt | au iuge uif, & iuge mort | au iuge vif, a iuge moꝛt | au juge vif et juge mort | at the quick and the dead judge | quick and dead judge | live judge and dead judge | quick and dead judge | — | judge alive, judge dead | |
— | a tirer les fers du four | a tirer les fers du four | a tirer les fers du four | a tirer les fers du four | at unoven the iron | unoven the iron | unoven the iron | irons out of the fire | irons out of the fire | pull the irons from the fire | |
— | au fault villain | au faulx uillain | au fault villain | au fault villain | at the false clown | the false clown | the false clown | the false clown | the crusty clown | fake villein | |
— | aux cailleteaux | aux caillleteau | aux cailleteav | aux cailletaux | at the flints, or at the nine stones | nine-stones | nine-stones | nine-stones | nine stones | quail beads | |
— | au boſſu aulican | au boſſu aulican | au boſſu aulican | au bossu aulican | at to the crutch hulch back | the hunchback courtier | the hunchback courtier | the hunchback courtier | piggy-back | the hunchbacked Doctor | |
— | a ſainct trouué | a ſainct trouué | a ſainct trouue | a sainct Trouvé | at the Sanct is found | the finding of the Saint | find your Saint | the finding of the Saint | the finding of the saint | at Saint Found-it | |
— | a pinſe moꝛille | a pinſe morille | a pinſe moꝛille | a pinse morille | at hinch, pinch and laugh not | hinch-pinch | hinch-pinch | hinch-pinch | hinch-pinch | pinch-me-tight | |
— | au poiꝛier | au poyrier | au poirier | au poirier | at the leek | pear-tree | stand-on-your-head | pear tree | pear tree | head-stands | |
— | a pimpompet | a pimpompet | a pimpompet | a pimpompet | at Bumdockdousse | Queen o’ the May | the May-Queen | bumbasting | bumbasting | rumble bum | |
— | au trioꝛi | au tryori | au trioꝛi | au triori | at the loose gig | the Breton Jig | the Breton Jig | the Breton jig | the Breton jig | skip in the ring | |
— | au cercle | au cercle | au cercle | au cercle | at the hoop | the whirligig | whirligig | barlibreak | oats and beans | the world upside down? | |
— | a la truye | a la truye | a la truye | a la truie | at the sow | the sow | the sow | the sow | the sow | put piggy into its sty | |
— | a ventre contre ventre | a uentre contre uentre | a ventre contre ventre | a ventre contre ventre | at belly to belly | belly to belly | belly-to-belly | belly to belly | belly to belly | building-tricks? | |
— | aux combes | aux combes | aux combes | aux combes | at the dales or straths | gables | the dales | cubes | cubes | short staves | |
a la vergette | a la vergette | a la uergette | a la vergette | a la vergette | at the twigs | pushpin | push-pin | pushpin | pushpin | cast-the-disk | |
au palet | au palet | au palet | au palet | au palet | at the quoits | quoits | quoits | quoits | quoits | chuck the ball | |
au iēnſuis | au ien ſuis | au i’en ſuys | au ien ſuis | au j’en suis | at I’m for that | I’m in it | pig-in-the-middle | the ball is mine | the ball is mine | snuff-the-candle | |
a foucquet | a foucquet | au foucquet | a foucquet | au foucquet | at tilt at weekie | fouquet | blow-it-out | fouquet | fouquet | nine-pins | |
aux quilles | au quilles | aux quilles | au quilles | aux quilles | at nine pins | nine-pins | nine-pins | nine-pins | nine-pins | skittles | |
au rāpeau | au rampeau | au rapeau | au rapeau | au rapeau | at tip and hurle | the return course | knock ’em out | the return course | the return course | ??? | |
a la boulle plate | a la boulle plate | a la boule plate | a la boulle plate | a la boule plate | at the flat bowls | flat bowl | flatbowl | flat bowl | skimming | bowl-on-a-green | |
au pallet | au pallet | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
— | — | au uireton | au vireton | au vireton | at the verre and tourn | whirligig | round-we-go | the dart | the dart | feather-sticks | |
— | — | — | au picquarome | au picquarome | at rogue and ruffian | pick-a-back to Rome | pick-a-back to Rome | pick-a-back to Rome | a-roaming-we-will-go | cast spikes towards Rome | |
— | — | — | a rouchemerde | a rouchemerde | at bumbatch touch | touch-clod | bumbatch-touch | chaw-turd | skipping | shitty-face | |
— | — | — | a angenart | a angenart | at the mysterious trough | sly jack | sly Jack | sly Jack | sly Jack | biassed skittles ... quoits ... angel-nard | |
a la courte boulle | a la courte boulle | a la courte boulle | a la courte boulle | a la courte boulle | at the short bowles | short bowls | short bowls | short bowls | short bowls | cast at the stump | |
a la grieſche | a la grieſche | a la grieſche | a la grieſche | a la griesche | at the daple gray | shuttlecock | shuttlecock | shuttlecock | shuttlecock | shuttlecock | (a dice game, see Gresco) |
a la recoq̄lette | a la recoq̄lette | a la recoquilette | a la recoquillette | a la recoquilette | at cock and crank it | dogs’ ears | dogs’ ears | dogs’ ears | dogs’ ears | hide-and-seek | |
au caſſepot | au caſſepot | au caſſepot | au caſſepot | au casse pot | at break-pot | smash crock | smash-the-pot | smash crock | smash the crockery | pass-round-the-pot | |
au mōtalēt | au mōtalent | a montalant | a montalant | a montalent | at my desire | my desire | my desire | my desire | my desire | as-I-will | |
a la pyꝛouete | a la pyꝛouete | a la pirouete | a la pyꝛouete | a la pyrouette | at twirlie whirlietrill | twirlywhirly | twirly-whirly | whirligig | whirligig | tops and whips | |
aux iōchees | au iōchees | aux ionchées | au ionchees | aux jonchees | at the rush bundles | rush bundles | rush-bundles | rush bundles | rush bundles | tiddlywinks | |
au court baſton | au court baſton | au court baston | au court baſton | au court baston | at the short staffe | short staff | short staff | short staff | short staff | short-straw | short staff (lit.) |
au pyꝛeuollet | au pyꝛeuollet | au pireuollet | au pyꝛeuollet | au pirevollet | at the whirling gigge | the flying dart | spin round | — | — | rackets | |
a cline muſſete | a cline muzete | a cline muſette | a cline muzete | a cline muzette | at hide and seek, or are you all hid | are you all hid? | shut-your-eyes | hodman blind | blind beggar | hide-away | |
au picquet | au picquet | au picquet | au picquet | au picquet | at the picket | spur away | spur-away | spur away | spur away | piquet | |
— | a la blancque | a la blancque | a la blancque | a la blancque | at the blank | blanks | blanks | sweepstakes | sweepstakes | open up, some pages are blank | |
— | au furon | au furon | au furon | au furon | at the pilfrers | hunt about | hunt-him-out | the ferret | the ferret | ferret it out | |
a la ſeguette | a la ſeguette | a la ſeguette | a la ſeguette | a la seguette | at the caveson | the iron mask | the iron mask | the pursuit | the pursuit | pétanque | |
au chaſtelet | au chaſtelet | au chaſtelet | au chaſtelet | au chastelet | at prison barres | pyramids | triangles | cob-nut | peanuts | cock-shy | |
a la rēgee | a la rengee | a la rengée | a la rengee | a la rengée | at have at the nuts | all in a row | all in a line | in a row | in a row | knock-down-in-a-ring | |
a la fouſſete | a la fouſſete | a la fouſſette | a la fouſſette | a la foussette | at cherrie-pit | the cherry pit | the cherry-pit | the cherry pit | the cherry pit | marbles | |
au rōflart | au romflart | au ronflart | au ronflart | au ronflart | at rub and rice | the humming-top | the humming-top | the humming-top | the humming-top | whirligigs | |
a la trōpe | a la trompe | a la trompe | a la trompe | a la trompe | at whip-top | the whip-top | the whip-top | the whip-top | the whip-top | humming-tops | |
au moyne | au moyne | au moyne | au moyne | au moine | at the casting top | the peg-top | the peg-top | the peg-top | the peg-top | monk-tops | |
au tenebꝛy | au tenebꝛy | au tenebry | au tenebꝛy | au tenebry | at the hobgoblins | the hobgoblin | the hobgoblin | the hobgoblin | the hobgoblin | tenebri | |
a leſbahy | a leſbahy | a l’esbahy | a leſbahy | a l’esbahy | at the O wonderful | scared face | scare | scarred face | scarred face | dismay-me | |
a la ſoulle | a la ſoulle | a la ſoulle | a la ſoulle | a la soulle | at the soilie smutchie | catch-ball | old hockey | pushball | pushball | hard-ball | |
a la nauette | a la nauette | a la nauette | a la nauette | a la navette | at fast and loose | fast and loose | fast and loose | fast and loose | fast and loose | to-and-fro | |
a feſſart | a feſſart | a feſſart | a feſſart | a fessart | at scutchbreech | fat-rump | fat-arse | fatass | fatarse | arse-over-tip | |
au ballay | au ballay | au ballay | au ballay | au ballay | at the broom-beesome | cock-horse | cock-horse | the cock-horse | ride a cock-horse | ride a cock-horse | |
a ſainct Coſme ie te viens adoꝛer | a ſaīct Coſme ie te viēs adoꝛer | a ſainct Coſme ie te uiens adorer | a ſainct Coſme ie te viens adoꝛer | a sainct Cosme, je te viens adorer | at St. Cosme, I come to adore thee | St. Côme, I come to worship | St. Cosmo, I come to adore you | Saint Cosma, I come to worship | saints alive | smudge the face of Saint Cosme | |
— | — | — | a eſcharbot le bꝛun | a escharbot le brun | at the lustie brown boy | the brown beetle | brown beetle | the brown beetle | the brown beetle | brown snails | |
— | — | — | a ie vous pꝛens ſans verd | a je vous prends sans verd | at I take you napping | I catch you napping | I catch you napping | I catch you napping | lions and tigers | catch him with no green in May | |
— | — | — | a bien ⁊ beau ſen va quareſme | a bien et beau s’en va quaresme | at faire and softly passeth lent | fair and gay goes Lent away | fair and softly Lent goes by | fair and gay Lent goes away | fair and gay goes Lent away | fair and fine speed Lent away | |
au cheſne foꝛchu | au cheſne foꝛchu | au cheſne forchu | au cheſne foꝛchu | au chesne forchu | at the forked oak | the forked oak | the forked oak | the forked oak | the forked oak | hand-stands | |
au cheuau fondu | au cheuau fondu | au cheuau fondu | au cheuau fondu | au chevau fondu | at trusse | leap-frog | leap-frog | leap-frog | leap-frog | leap-frog | |
a la queue au loup | a la queue au loup | a la queue au loup | a la queue au loup | a la queue au loup | at the wolfes taile | the wolf’s tail | the wolf’s tail | the wolf’s tail | what’s the time, Mr Wolf | all-in-a-line | |
a pet en gueulle | a pet en gueulle | a pet en gueuelle | a pet en gueuelle | a pet en gueuelle | at bum to busse, or nose in breech | nose in breech | nose to breech | fart-in-throat | fart-in-throat | top and tail and fart-in-the-throat | |
a guillemin baille my ma lāce | a Guillemin baille my ma lāce | a Guillemin baille my ma lance | a Guillemin baille my ma lance | a Guillemin baille my ma lance | at Geordie give me my lance | William, give me my lance | Willie, give me my lance | Billy boy, give me my lance | nuts in May | ‘I’m a piggy-back knight, give me my lance’ | |
a la bꝛādelle | a la bꝛādelle | a la brandelle | a la bꝛandelle | a la brandelle | at swaggie, waggie or shoggieshou | see-saw | see-saw | the swing | the swing | see-saws | |
au trezeau | au trezeau | au treſeau | au treſeau | au treseau | at stook and rook, shear, and threave | shocks of corn | shocks of corn | the shock of wheat | the shock of wheat | catch as catch can, the thirteenth man | |
— | au bouleau | au bouleau | au bouleau | au bouleau | at the birch | the small bowl | little bowls | the small bowl | noughts and crosses | birch-trees | |
a la mouſche | a la mouſche | a la mouſche | a la mouſche | a la mousche | at the musse | fly away, Jack | fly away, Jack | baste the bear | baste the bear | swat that fly | |
a la migne migne beuf | a la migne migne beuf | a la migne migne bœuf | a la migne migne beuf | a la migne migne bœuf | at the dillie dilie darling / at oxe moudie | tit, tat, toe, my first go | tit-tat-to | tic-tac-toe, my first go | tic-tac-toe | Dainty, dainty to the cow: Madame’s near the fire by now | |
au pꝛopous | au pꝛopous | au propos | au pꝛopous | au propous | at purporse in purporse | a propos | cut-him-short | cross questions and crooked answers | twenty questions | whisper it round | |
a neuf mains | a neuf mains | a neuf mains | a neuf mains | a neuf mains | at nine lesse | nine hands | nine hands | nine hands | nine hands | nine hands in a pile | |
au chapifou | au chapifou | au chapifol | au chapifou | au chapifou | at thwack swinge him (switched with blinde-man-buffe) | harry-racket | harry racket | harry-racket | just a minute | nut case | |
aux ponts cheuz | aux pōts cheuz | aux pontz cheuz | aux pontz cheuz | aux ponts cheuz | at the fallen bridges | the fallen bridges | the bridge is down | the fallen bridges | the fallen bridges | broken bridges | |
a colin bꝛide | a colin bꝛidé | a Colin bridé | a colin bꝛide | a colin bridé | at bridled nick | bridled Nick | bridled Nick | bridled Nick | hangman | bridled booby | |
a la grolle | a la grolle | a la grolle | a la grolle | a la grolle | at the white at buts | the bull’s eye | the bull’s-eye | bull’s-eye | bull’s-eye | hopscotch | |
au cocquātin | au cocquātin | au cocquantin | au cocquantin | au cocquantin | at the cock quintin (repositioned, was after nine pins) | battledore | battledore | battledore and shuttlecock | battledore and shuttlecock | battledore and shuttlecock | |
a collin maillard | a Collin maillard | a Colin Maillard | a Colin maillard | a colin maillard | at blinde-man-buffe (switched with thwack swinge him) | blindman’s buff | blind-man’s buff | blindman’s bluff | blindman’s bluff | blind man’s bluff | |
a myꝛelimoufle | a myꝛelimoufle | a myrelimoufle | a myꝛelimofle | a myrelimofle | at apple, peare, plum | bob-cherry | bob cherry | bob-cherry | bob-cherry | ‘where do you come from, my good chap?’ | |
a mouſchart | a mouſchart | a mouſchart | a mouſchart | a mouschart | at mumgi | — | — | spy | spy | play the spy | |
au crapault | au crapault | au crapault | au crapault | au crapault | at the toad | frogs and toads | the toad | frogs and toads | froggit | toads | |
a la croſſe | a la croſſe | a la croſſe | a la croſſe | a la crosse | at cricket | cricket | cricket | cricket | cricket | lacrosse | |
au piſton | au piſton | au piſton | au piſton | au piston | at the pounding stick | pestle and mortar | pestle and mortar | pestle and mortar | pestle and mortar | pounding-sticks | |
au bille boucquet | au bille boucquet | au bille boucquet | au bille boucquet | au bille boucquet | at jack and the box | cup and ball | cup-and-ball | cup and ball | cup and ball | billy-goat, jump the ball | |
au roynes | au roynes | aux roynes | au roynes | aux roynes | at the queens | the queens | queens | the queens | the queens | queens | |
aux meſtiers | au meſtiers | aux meſtiers | au meſtiers | aux mestiers | at the trades | the trades | trades | the trades | tinker, tailor | ‘what’s my track?’ | |
a teſte a teſte becheuel | a teſte a teſte becheuel | a teſte a teſte becheuel | a teſte a teſte becheuel | a teste à teste bechevel | at heads and points | heads and points | heads and points | heads and points | heads and points | odds or evens? | |
— | — | — | au pinot | au pinot | at the vine-tree hug | dot and go one | dot and carry one | dot and go one | dot to dot | cherry-stones | |
— | — | — | a male mort | a male mort | at black be thy fall | wicked death | foul death | wicked death | wicked death | shake, shake, thy little dead hand | |
— | — | — | aux croquinolles | aux croquinolles | at ho the distaffe | fillips | fillips | fillips | marbles | punch up the conk | |
a lauer la coiffe ma dame | a lauer la coiffe ma dame | a lauer la coiffe ma Dame | a lauer la coiffe ma dame | a laver la coiffe ma dame | at Joane Thomson | lady, I wash your cap | I wash your cap, Madam | lady, I wash your cap | lady, I wash your cap | ‘lady, lady, I’ll wash your hair’ | |
au beluſteau | au beluſteau | au beluſteau | au beluſteau | au belusteau | at the boulting cloth | the boulting cloth | the boulting-cloth | the bolting cloth | the bolting cloth | sieve us all, to and fro | |
a ſemer lauoyne | a ſemer la uoyne | a ſemer l’auoyne | a ſemer lauoyne | a semer l’avoyne | at the oats seed | oat-sowing | sowing the oats | sowing oats | wild oats | here comes the farmer to sow his oats | |
a bꝛiffault | a bꝛiffault | a briffault | a briffault | a briffault | at greedie glutton | greedy glutton | greedy-guts | the greedy glutton | greedyguts | greedy-guts | |
au molinet | au molinet | au molinet | au molinet | au molinet | at the morish dance | windmills | windmills | windmills | windmills | windmills | |
a defendo | a defendo | a defendo | a defendo | a defendo | at feebie | defendo | defendo | defendo | help! | eeny, meeny, mainy, mo | |
a la vireuouſte | a la vireuouſte | a la uireuouſte | a la vireuouſte | a la virevouste | at the whole frisk and gambole | pirouetting | pirouettes | pirouetting | pirouetting | head over heels | |
a la baculle | a la baculle | a la bacule | a la bacule | a la bacule | at battabum, or riding of the wilde mare | bascule | drawbridges | bascule | seesaw | give-him-a-bumping | |
au laboureꝛ | au laboureur | au laboureur | au laboureur | au laboureur | at Hinde the Plowman | hind the ploughman | the ploughman | hind the ploughman | hind the ploughman | ploughman, ploughman, plough the field | |
a la cheueche | a la cheueche (duplicated) | a la cheueche (duplicated) | a la cheueche (duplicated) | — | — | — | the madge-owlet | the madge-owlet | sliding | go it alone | |
aux eſcoublettes enraigees | au eſcoublettes enraigees | aux eſcoublettes enragées | au eſcoublettes enraigees | aux escoublettes enragées (repositioned, was after a la virevouste) | at the good mawkin | butting rams (repositioned in the same way as 1884) | angry broomsticks | — | the witch’s hat | scrub him like mad | |
a la beſte moꝛte | a la beſte moꝛte | a la beſte morte | a la beſte moꝛte | a la beste morte | at the dead beast | the dead beast | the dead beast | the dead beast | the dead beast | ‘carry me, carry me, like a dead beast’ | |
a mōtemōte leſchelette | a mōtemōte leſchelette | a montemonte l’eſchelette | a montemonte leſchelette | a monte monte l’eschelette | at climbe the ladder Billie | climb the ladder | climb, climb the ladder | climb the ladder | climb the ladder | up, up the ladder, hand upon hand | |
au poꝛceau mory | au pourceau moꝛy | au pourceau mory | au pourceau moꝛy | au pourceau mory | at the dying hog | the dead pig | the dead pig | the dead pig | the dead pig | piggy is dead | |
a cul ſalle | a cul ſalle | au cul ſalé | a cul ſalle | au cul-sallé | at the salt doup | the salt doup | the salt-doup | the salt rump | the salt rump | salty bums | |
au pigeōnet | au pigōnet | au pigonnet | au pigonnet | au pigeonnet | at the pretty pigeon | the pigeon has flown | the bird has flown | the pigeon has flown | the bird has flown | fly away, pigeon | |
au tiers | au tiers | au tiers | au tiers | au tiers | at barley break | barley-break | barley-break | twos and threes | twos and threes | ??? | |
a la bourree | a la bourree | a la bourrée | a la bourree | a la bourrée | at the bavine | faggots | faggots | fagots | nearly there | pass the parcel, group to group | |
au ſault du buyſſon | au ſault du buyſſō | au ſault du buyſſon | au ſault du buiſſon | au sault du buisson | at the bush leap | the bush jump | jump the bush | jump in the bush | jump in the bush | jump, jump, over the bush | |
a croyzer | a croyzer | a croyſer | a croyzer | a croyzer | at crossing | crossing | andy-pandy | crossing | crossing | cross tag | |
a la cutte cache | a la cutte cache | a la cutte cache | a la cutte cache | a la cutte cache | at bo-peep | hide and seek | highwaymen | hide and seek | no skipping | hide and seek | |
a la maille bourſe en cul | a la maille bourſe en cul | a la maille bourſe en cul | a la maille bourſe en cul | a la maille bourse en cul | at the hardit arse-pursie | coin in the tail-pocket | — | coin in the tail-pocket | which hand? | farthing, farthing, up your bum | |
au nic de la bondꝛee | au nic de la bondꝛee | au nid de la bondrée | au nid de la bondꝛee | au nid de la bondrée | at the harrowers nest | the hawk’s nest | hawk’s nest | the buzzard’s nest | I can’t go on | ‘Hidden in the buzzard’s nest. Where? Where? Where?’ | |
au paſſauant | au paſſauāt | au paſſauant | au paſſauant | au passavant | at forward hey | hark forward | forward hey | hark forward | heads or tails? | run the gauntlet | |
a la figue | a la figue | a la figue | a la figue | a la figue | at the fig | figs | figs | the fig | don’t give up | cock-a-snook | |
aux petarrades | au petarrades | aux petarrades | au petarrades | aux petarrades | at gunshot crack | gunshot crack | the salvo of farts | gunshot crack | gunshot crack | blowing raspberries | |
a pillemouſtard | a pillemoutarde | a pillemouſtarde | a pillemouſtarde | a pille moustarde | at mustard peel | mustard-pounder | mustard-pounder | mustard-pounder | mustard-pounder | pestle the mustard | |
— | a cambos | a cambos | a cambos | a cambos | at the gome | out of school | first home | out of school | truant | mind your legs | |
— | a la recheute | a la recheute | a la recheute | a la recheute | at the relapse | the relapse | the relapse | the relapse | the relapse | trip me over | |
— | au picandeau | au picandeau | au picandeau | au picandeau | at jog breech, or prick him forward | the feathered dart | feathered darts | the feathered dart | the feathered dart | darts | |
— | a crocqueteſte | a crocqueteſte | a crocqueteſte | a crocque teste | at knockpate | duck your head | duck your head | duck your head | duck your head | leap-frog | |
— | a la grolle (duplicated) | a la grolle (duplicated) | a la grolle (duplicated) | — | at the Cornish cough | — | — | the bull’s eye | bull’s-eye | crows | |
— | a la grue | a la grue | a la grue | a la grue | at the crane-dance | crane-dance | the crane-dance | the crane-dance | keep going | off the ground | |
— | a taillecoup | a taillecoup | a taillecoup | a taillecoup | at slash and cut | slash and cut | slash-and-cut | slash and cut | slash and cut | here comes the chopper | |
— | au nazardes | aux naſardes | au nazardes | aux nazardes | at bobbing, or the flirt on the nose | flirts on the nose | tweak-nose | flirts on the nose | band on the nose | tweaking noses | |
aux allouettes | au allouettes | aux allouettes | aux allouettes | aux allouettes | at the larks | larks | larks | larks | what a lark | peck his nose | |
aux chinquenaudes | au chinq̄naudes | aux chinquenaudes | au chinquenaudes | aux chinquenaudes | at flipping | filliping | flip-finger | flicks | flicks | pinch his conk |
The list in depth
Commentators who have written about the games in the list include:
Le Duchat, first of the critical editions in 1711L
the 1741 edition published by Jean Frédéric Bernard includes additional notes from Le DuchatM
Michel Psichari, 1908N
Lazare Sainéan, 1922O (278–91)
Card games
The first set of entries in the list are either card games or terms used in card games — sometimes both.
flux “flush”
This has its well-known meaning as it remains today, a set of cards of the same suit. However, it is also the name of a game.N (p. 16–21)
prime “prime”
A prime in card terms was the opposite of a flush: it was to have one card of each suit. It will be seen that it is common for Rabelais to place similar or opposite terms near to each other in lists.
It is also the name of a game usually called Primero in English, or referred to by its Italian (Primiera) or Spanish (Primera) names.
It is also worth noting that ‘flux’ is a hand that scores in Primero.
vole (lit.) “robbery”
This is a game term meaning the same as the current term “grand slam”, that is, to win all the tricks played in a hand. The term was used in the games of l’hombre, la bête, latriomphe, and l’écarté.N (p. 26)
Urquhart gives “the beast” for this term, which was actually the name of a gambling game (called in French la bête) in which the term was used. Perhaps he was aware of this.
Nicolaas Jarichides Wiringa’s list
As found in Alle de Geestige Werken van Mr. Francois Rabelais (p. 76) (transcription is from this site).
Van den vloed
“flood”, i.e. flux, from Rabelais’ list
Van de voorsten, of derde zoeken
Van de vlugt, of sakjagen
Van ’t pand-rooven
Van ’t troeven
Van ’t piketten
Van ten honderden uit
Van der Haagen
Van ’t rampen
Van ’t schuiren
Van ’t pas-dijsen
i.e. passe-dix, from Rabelais’ list
Van ten een en dertigen uit
Van twee en twee
Van ten driehonderden uit
Van de verloorene
Van de verweesene
Van de vermorste kaart
Van d’ onvernoegde
Van ’t Landsknegten
Van de Koekoek
Van diese heeft, spreek
Van op en af
Van pijke, delje
Van schoon Bely
Van kikkermik
Van ik denk
Van doe dit, doe dat
Van ka, ka, volgme na
Van de dwerl loop of wild jagen
Van ’t Osje
“owl” i.e. hybou, from Rabelais’ list
Van die wint, verliest
Van wiege wage
Van draije wy
Van Amerol
Van hijp hap
Van wie vint, die wint
Van dammen
Van schaaken
Van Reintje de vos
Van moertje, moertje
Van ’t Koeytje
Van blanke bestemoer
Van Jan springt hoger als Trijn
Van drie Teerlingen
Van Tafeltje rond-om
Van knik, knak knelis
Van ’t bikkelen
Van houd op en houd an
Van Tik-takken
Van ’t Ganse berd
Van Uille berd
Van wie wil ’t robje vangen
Van ’t Vrouwtje
Van ’t spookertje
Van ik eerst, ik andert
Van met steekers te werpen
Van de sleuteltjes
Van goe-man
Van eeven of on-eeven
Van kruis of munt
Van ’t Martertje
Van vogeltje vet
Van kloot schieten
Van ’t Schoenlappertje
Van den Uyl
Van d’ hond na ’t haasje
Van Lanterluyen
Van Verkentje gaat voor
Van ’t Aaxtertje
Van den toet-hoorn
Van Adieu
Van de nieuwe Neepjes
Van Ulenspiegel in de byenkorf
Van ’t Paardje te beslaan
Van ’t schrobbelen
Van waar zal die man staan?
Van Hand-slag
Van stomme beevaard
Van in ’t touwtje te springen
Van ’t speetje te wenden
Van over de steen te trekken
Van den sak te dragen
Van ’t rammelaartje
Van eeven uit, even in
Van val, vijgje, val
Van Heerom danst in ’t hemd
Van, wie zal ik gooije?
Van ’t vosje villen
Van versche ton
Van haver verkopen
Van doove koolen op Blasen
Van vraag en antwoord
Van, leeft het manneken, of ist dood
Van d’ yzers uit den oven
Van den Boosen boerman
Van ’t afbossen
Van den gebulten hoveling
Van den gevonden heilig
Van de Mey te planten
Van pimpampet
Van t hoepelen
Van ’t pinken
Van de Quinkert
Van de rol
Van hol of bol
Van ’t Duinkerkertje
Van Spinloo
Van Balslaan
Van kaatsen
Van kolven
Van ’t kooten
Van knikkeren
Van ’t keegelen
Van ’t palet
Van ’t rinket
Van ’t schrik setten
Van ’t tol setten
Van den tol te slaan
Van schoppen
Van schijven
Van trokken
Van klossen
Van negen kuyl
Van kritsen
Van Heeven
Van ik zat en ik zat
Van straatjen over
Van de derden zoeken
Van ’t molenaartje
Van den windbol
Van blindpot
Van paardje sta vast
Van steentje veerder
Van neus in aars
Van Frankvoort een huysje bet voort
Van kap-monik
Van ik visch ik visch
Van Suiker-oompje
Van, moet ik inje landje treden?
Van ’t begraasen
Van beuijtelen
Van springen
Van rij-schenkelen
Van ’t hinkelen
Van man, man ik ben opje blokhuys
Van schuile-wink
Van molle molle mol
Van soute-moute
Van ’t zooltje
Van alle ambachten
Van toffeltje geit
Van strootje trekken
Van tuimel in de peeperzak
Van ’t knippen
Johann Fischarts’ list
As found in Geschichtklitterung (p. 259).Transcription from this site. These are given separately to the table above, given the extensive expansion that Fischarts made to the list.
Many items are duplicated or reduplicated, and Fischarts also added many games of his own invention, paralleling Rabelais’ original.
Der Flüssen
i.e. flux “flush”, from Rabelais’ list
Des Premiere
i.e. prime, from Rabelais’ list
Den Picarder
i.e. la pircardie, from Rabelais’ list
Ticke tack
i.e. tric-trac, from Rabelais’ list
Schachmatt
“checkmate”, i.e. chess, from Rabelais’ list
Lurtsch
i.e. lourche, from Rabelais’ list
Des Schultheissen
Des Reißers
“rippers”
Des Legens
Der 31
i.e. trente et un, from Rabelais’ list; see Thirty One
Marsch
“march”
Rümpffen
a card game
Trumpffen
i.e. triomphe, from Rabelais’ list
Rum und stich
Auß und ein machen die Meydlin gern.
Fickmül
“rub-mill”, probably Nine Men’s Morris
Hupff auff, dupff auff,
Wintertrost
“winter comfort”
Dummel dich gut Birche,
Plinden mäuß.
Eselin beschlagen
Hundert eins
“hundred one”
Gänßlin beropffen:
Welch Kart wilt verstecken, die kan ich entdecken.
Du der Haß, Ich der Wind
Ich hang, ich haffte:
In Himmel, in dHöll
“in heaven, in hell”
Der Wolff hat mir ein Schäflein gestolen, weil ich Käß und Brot will holn
Trickretrac
(again) tric-trac, from Rabelais’ list
Vier Wachtel im Sack
“four quails in a sack”
Dorn außzihes.
Der Unfur.
Der Schantz.
Neun und hundert
“nine and hundred”
Der Palirmül
Ein und dreissig
(again) trente et un, from Rabelais’ list; see Thirty One
Krumme neun
“crooked nine”
Rausch
“drunkenness”
Umbschlagen
Par mit dem Dantz:
i.e. pair et sequence, from Rabelais’ list
Trei Hundert:
“three hundred”, i.e. troys cents, from Rabelais’ list
Der Condemnade
i.e. la condemnade, from Rabelais’ list
Non verende
Ich vernüg mich
Malcontant
i.e. malcontent, from Rabelais’ list
Königs lösen
Des Gauchs
Der Rusig Schultheiß auß Morenland:
Wer hat dich geschlagen, ist mir leid für den schaden, ich reche mein unschuld,
Burckhart mit der Nasen, komm helff mir grasen.
Wolauff das walts Gott nider
In die Brenten:
Mit wem hat man gekallt.
Wir geben und nemmen einander.
Nach dem won:
Wer eins thut, thu auch das ander
“whoever does one, also does the other”, i.e. a qui faict l’un fact l’auitre, from Rabelais’ list
Sequentz:
i.e. sequence, from Rabelais’ list
Jeder hab des Mauls acht:
Der Bonen
Des Borers:
Kochimbert, wer gewint verlört.
i.e. coquimbert, qui gaigne perd, from Rabelais’ list
Das widerle, wederle.
Torment
i.e. torment, from Rabelais’ list
Den Schnarcher:
“the snorer”, i.e. la ronfle, from Rabelais’ list
Contemonte
Des glucks:
i.e. glic, from Rabelais’ list
Wer find, der gewinnt.
Der Muter:
Nun fah den Ball, eh er fall
Der beschorenen Hund,
Des Plättlins.
perhaps la pille, from Rabelais’ list
Über eck ins bein,
Der hupfelrei:
Ballenripotei:
Tochter laß die Rosen ligen.
Schwartzer Dorn ist worden weiß:
Das Pickelspil:
Zipffelzehezupffen
Die hüpsch als ich,
Tölpeltrei:
Mit Wasser grüsen:
Jeder seh seiner Nächstin die hand.
Der Girlande:
Der Fastenbrüder:
Wirt geb uns f. und p.
Des Andres:
Des Kolbens.
Der Liebhell:
Was wundert euch?
Wa geht der Dantz hin Eselmut:
Wem krähet der Han:
Nadel on fadem in Hoff tragen:
Pferdlin woll bereit.
Cock, Code ey wil.
Lausen oder Noppen.
Fingerschnellen
probably morra, from Rabelais’ list; see Morra
Den verkaufften gabelochssen mit Wasser zahln:
Wer kan siben Lügen
Wer kan siben Lügen verschweigen:
Greiff jeder seiner Nachbarin den Puls.
Was wer dein gröst begern.
Meiner Muter Magd macht mir mein Muß, mit meiner Muter Mäl:
Warzu sind lang Nasen gut?
Welches Bubenstucks rümst dich am meisten.
Des Friden machens.
Secht Muter der Dütten.
Des Untreuen baurens.
Der Alten Lüller.
Was sagt man Neues im Bad?
Gevattern betten
Das Alefrentzlin greiff ans schwentzlin.
Das zünglinspitzlin, fritzenschmitzlin:
Das Zeißlin, Mäußlin,
Kläußlin, kom inns häußlin, würff ein däußlin:
Trotzenträtzlin, wie ein Lätzlin:
Susa seußlin, flusa fleußlin.
Zuck nit mein lib, ist ein billich sach:
Matz werffs der Metzen zu
Des Fuchsses:
Des küschwantzes:
Der Planchen:
Der drey würffel:
Der nickenocke:
Des Zäumlins:
Wisch auff:
Wann ich mein Hörnlin plas:
Loch zu Loch:
Es miet mich
Inn die Würst faren:
Auff allen Tischen:
Der geschrenckten Schenckel.
Womit chenstu deim bulen?
Was für Blumen gebt ihr mir zum krantz?
Des grösten betrugs:
Des Liebrhatens:
Des Spitals der Narrn:
O mein hertz verschwind
Den Pronnen schöpfen.
Auff den Berg faren:
Eyn rusigen dib fahen:
Der untreu under dem Mäntlin spilen:
Was ist diß, fornen wie ein gabel, in der mitten wie ein Faß, das hinderst wie ein besem? Ku.
Was geht auff dem kopff in bach?
Aller heyligen Faß:
Gott verläugnen:
“renege God”, i.e. reniguebieu, from Rabelais’ list
Frauenspil:
i.e. dames, from Rabelais’ list
Röpflins:
i.e. au forcé, from Rabelais’ list
Der Baboben,
i.e. babou, from Rabelais’ list
Primus secundus:
i.e. primus, secundus, from Rabelais’ list
Zu underst des messers:
“under the knife", i.e. pied du cousteau, from Rabelais’ list
Des Schlüssels:
“the keys”, i.e. clefs, from Rabelais’ list
Des freien Karrens:
i.e. franc du carreau, from Rabelais’ list
Grad oder ungrad:
i.e. pair ou non, from Rabelais’ list
Kreutz oder plättlin:
i.e. croix ou pile, from Rabelais’ list
Faul faudel:
Laußknickel:
Härlin zupffen:
Ich fisch in meins Herren täuch:
Des schülins:
Heimlich seitenspil ungelacht:
Umb den Gänstreck füren:
Grüß dich bruder Eberhart:
Ist Weichsel reiff.
Steyn außgeben:
Gickel hie, warauff gickelst.
Martres
i.e. martres, from Rabelais’ list
Pingres
i.e. pingres, from Rabelais’ list
Eß setzt ein steyn, nimbt ein.
Haspeln
“wind up”
Geb Arß, Nemm Arß.
Ich bin König, du bist Knecht
“I am the king, you are the servant”
Des deitens on Reden.
Wo schlafft des Wirts Töchterlein:
Memminger Vokatzer beckenprot.
Meidlein thu den Laden zu, laß den Ladennagel hangen.
Die Floh laufft im hemd
Schlägels:
Des Wirts.
Billard
i.e. bille, from Rabelais’ list
Hellenpart schmiden:
Des Schupletzers
Hibu.
i.e. hybou, from Rabelais’ list
Dorelot häßlin.
i.e. dorelot du lievre, from Rabelais’ list
Tirelitantine
i.e. tirelitantaine, from Rabelais’ list
Färcklin gang du vor.
Des hörnlins:
i.e. la corne, from Rabelais’ list
Des weitlochs:
Des Habern verkauffens.
Der blinden Ku.
Rhat der finger.
Pick Olyet offte graef.
Nacht oder tag.
Vergebens machen.
Gäulchen laß dich beschlagen
Das eisen auß der Eß zihen.
Den falschen bauren:
Der heilig ist gefunden:
Reiben, stosen, stechen, boren.
Von Wollen auf die wellen.
Burri burrisu
i.e. bourry bourry zou, from Rabelais’ list
Ich setz mich:
“I sit down”, i.e. a ie m’aſsis, from Rabelais’ list
Disen angel mein Frau.
Wendeln im bret,
Meister hemmerleins nachfahr.
Wechsseldantz.
Allemant damour.
Löß mir ein frag, die ich dir sag etc.
Der Contrafeitischen geberden.
Das bottensäcklin, schlotterpäcklin.
Mal das Mörlin:
Der Sau:
Bauch wider bauch
Des stichgrübels:
Huhu Eulen:
Der Himmel hat sich umbgelegt.
Nun geht davon
Es laufft ein weise mauß die maur auff:
Die Gans gaht auff den Predigstul.
Handwercksman was gibst du darzu?
Ochs inn den Veiolen.
Duck dich Hänßlin duck dich.
Alstreiffen
Eisen abwerffen.
Des barbedoribus.
Bratspißwenden.
Gevatter leihet mir euer sack.
Esel zemmen,
Der Widershoden.
Der Feigen von Marsilien.
Des Fuchsstreiffens.
Kohlen auffblasen.
Ein Ey, zwei halb, unnd ein halb Ey, wie viel seinds?
Was stilstu? Thaler, Taler.
Was seind wir? Stockfisch.
Der krippel und Lamen,
Das A b c. reimen.
Zum lebendigen und toden Richter.
Des Hogerigen Hofmans.
Des pimpompens
i.e. pimpompet, from Rabelais’ list
Des körblin machens.
Meidlin sind dir die Schuch recht.
Kram außlegen.
Der Abereh.
Triori.
i.e. au triori, from Rabelais’ list
Des Zirckels.
i.e. au cercle, from Rabelais’ list
Kocherspergerdantz.
Der Spindel.
Wickerlin weckerlin, wilt mit mir essen, bring ein Messer.
Ungelacht pfetz ich dich.
Der Pickarome.
Des Roten Rauhen Trecks.
Des Engelarts.
Des Rekockillechen.
Brich den Hafen,
Montalant.
Das Wasserbettlen,
Steur den hauffen,
Des Bräutgams.
Des kurtzen steckens.
Pire vollet.
Kline musettecken,
Des grübleins.
Deß schnauffers.
Deß ernsten Schulmeisters.
Der Hofämpter.
Was schrieben ihr uns umbs bett?
Welches Narrheit wer dir lieber?
Deß Artzets.
Was gibt ein groß Maul guts?
Zur Trompe.
Der Haber im Sack.
Deß Mönchs.
Tenebei.
Das wunder,
Naschettechen Navettechen,
i.e. navette, from Rabelais’ list
Fessart, Kerbart
i.e. fessart, from Rabelais’ list
Sanct Kosman ich rüff dich an.
i.e. a sainct Cosme, je te veins adorer, from Rabelais’ list
Der Braunen schröter
Ich fang euch on ein Meyen.
Ich fang euch, wa ich euch find:
Wol und voll vergeht die Fasten.
Der gabeligen eychen.
i.e. chesne forchu, from Rabelais’ list
Deß gegossenen Gauls.
i.e. chevau fondu, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Wolffschwantzes,
i.e. la queue du loup, from Rabelais’ list
Deß furtz inn halß.
Willhelm lang mir den spiß.
“Willhelm lend me the spear”, i.e. Guillemin baille my ma lance, from Rabelais’ list
Der Brandelle.
i.e. brandelle, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Muckenwadels
Mein Oechßlin, mein Oechßlin,
A propoß.
i.e. propous, from Rabelais’ list
Der neun Hend,
i.e. neuf mains, from Rabelais’ list
Chapifon Narrene kopff,
i.e. chapifou, from Rabelais’ list
Der zerfallenen Brucken,
i.e. ponts cheuz, from Rabelais’ list
Deß gezäumten schmid Tolins,
Der Polderigen tobenden Cantzel,
Das Handwerck außschreien.
Deß Teuffels Music,
Wie vil deß krauts umb ein Heller?
Deß Vogelküssens.
Deß Bilgramsteurens,
Deß Grolle Gollhammers,
i.e. la grolle, from Rabelais’ list
Seit ihr die braut von Schmollen, so lacht mir eins,
Deß Kockantins,
i.e. cocquantin, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Mirelimuffle,
i.e. myrelimofle, from Rabelais’ list
Mouschart,
i.e. mouschart, from Rabelais’ list
Der Krotten,
i.e. crapault, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Bischofsstabs,
i.e. la crosse, from Rabelais’ list
Hämmerlin himmerlin,
i.e. piston, from Rabelais’ list
Bille bocket,
i.e. bille boucquet, from Rabelais’ list
Der Königin,
i.e. roynes, from Rabelais’ list
Kopf zu kopf an rechen,
i.e. teste à teste becheval, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Todendantzes,
Malle mort,
i.e. male mort, from Rabelais’ list
Krockmolle,
i.e. croquinolles, from Rabelais’ list
Frau wöllen wir die Kuff wäschen,
i.e. laver la coiffe ma dame, from Rabelais’ list
Belusteol
i.e. belusteau, from Rabelais’ list
Den Habern seyen,
Deß Deffendo,
i.e. defendo, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Frases,
Virevoste,
i.e. virevouste, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Bacule,
i.e. la bacule, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Bauren,
i.e. laboureur, from Rabelais’ list
Die unsinnige esconblette,
i.e. escoublettes enragées, from Rabelais’ list
Das tod Thier,
i.e. la beste morte, from Rabelais’ list
Steig, steig auffs leiterlin
“climb, climb the ladder”, i.e. monte monte l’eschelette, from Rabelais’ list
Der Toden Sau,
“the dead sow”, i.e. pourceau mory, from Rabelais’ list
Deß gesaltzenen arß,
i.e. cul-sallé, from Rabelais’ list
Des Täublins,
Jeder trott unnd tritt,
Gott grüß euch schöne
Deß Mörselstein tragens,
Deß Venus Tempels,
Was wünsch dir von deim bulen,
Für den Richter,
Deß bösen das es gut werd,
Deß Besems,
Spring auß dem busch.
i.e. sault du buisson, from Rabelais’ list
Der verborgen Kutten
Bulgen und Seckel im Arß.
O bohe daß Habichnest.
Passavant, Passefort
Der Petarrade.
i.e. petarrades, from Rabelais’ list
Raht wer hat dich geschlagen?
Der Senffstempffel.
i.e. pille moustarde, from Rabelais’ list
Cambos.
i.e. cambos, from Rabelais’ list
Fürsich, hindersich,
Raht was ist das?
Picandeau
i.e. picandeau, from Rabelais’ list
Krocketeste, Hackenkopf,
i.e. crocque teste, from Rabelais’ list
Deß Kranchs.
i.e. grue, from Rabelais’ list
Taillecop.
i.e. taillecoup, from Rabelais’ list
Nasenkönig Nasart.
i.e. nazardes, from Rabelais’ list
Der Lerchen:
“the larks”, i.e. allouettes, from Rabelais’ list
Der Stirnschnallen.
Der blinden würffel.
Deß Sacks im Wasserzuber.
Es brent, ich lesch.
Jungfrau küssen,
Im sack verbergen,
Der schönsten den stein,
Die finger krachen, die Männer wachen.
Mein Tochter ist heurahts zeit.
Es kombt ein Fisch, es komt ein Vöglin.
Waich oder trockens.
Rumpele stilt oder der Poppart.
Den Kessel auff dem Leilach rucken,
O sie ist hüpsch.
Rahtet ihr, was stund im brieff?
Umbschantz.
Winckelrut,
Ich rür, ich rür,
Ich raht,
Ribon Ribaine,
Har auff har, katzenhar,
Wer das nicht kan, kan nicht vil.
Teller im Kübel abschlagen.
Deß Sack zuckens.
Knecht vernims.
Fudum, die Mor ist im Kessel.
Meidlin laß dirs wol thun,
Loch schlagen, suppen zuhaben.
Der Geyß hüten,
Rucken oder schneid.
Sie thaten all also.
Inn Bernhards namen,
Ich hafft ich hang.
Rindenpfeiflin, Weidenböglin,
Vögel außnemmen
Im Sack ein Repphun das übrig soll mein knecht Heintz thun.
Jeder Vogel inn sein Nest.
Der Verzäuberin,
Der Muttwilligen Wittfrauen.
Hupff inn Klee.
Meydlin was hat dir die Kunckel gethan?
Teller von der stangen schlagen.
Auff dem Gsäß mit gebunden Händen und füssen thurnieren, das recht ohr inn die lincke Hand, und den arm dardurch geschleifft.
Unser Han der König, der streit ist gewonnen
Der Hoffarben des scheidens.
Es giengen drey Jungfrauwen
Der Baur schickt sein Jockel auß.
Frosch fangen,
Deß Apts unnd seiner Brüder?
Kluckern, schnellkugeln
Knopff oder spitz
Inn kauten, kautenfaul.
Die Imen stechen.
Auff der brucken suppere inn glorie.
Auff tellern mit händen gähn,
Mein Man ist ein Gauch, mein Gauch ein Man.
Über daß kreißle
Der Leibpredig.
Gesellens.
Murr murr nur nicht.
Ritter durchs gitter,
Das spill ich auch, ich auch, die Sau aß ein treck, ich auch.
Poselleich
Der mehesten augen,
Der besten gerad.
Pumpimperlein pump.
Der unverständtlichen sprachen.
Wer poppenschießt
Die grösten Weidsprüch?
Was für zeitung auff der Post?
Was setzt ihr den Gästen auff?
Deß Alters.
Matz stampff hinein.
Seit ihr die Meyd von Rosenthal
Die faulen Mägd.
Desperat
Auff den Reutterschlag.
Deß unverbottene kusses.
Klopff wer da wöll.
Hanß hau dich nicht.
Liendel laß dir die Juppen blacken.
Moriscendantz
Durch den Sträl schalmeien
Den Schuch außtretten.
Propter S. Franciscum.
Fünfften stein,
Wa zu ist stro gut?
Adam hett siben Sön.
Widerfüren,
Der letzt der ists.
Jungfrauenspiel.
Räters.
Neunten stein,
‘ninth stone’, Nine Men’s Morris
Des Verdiensts des Liebkrantzes.
Stein verbergen.
Schüchle bergen.
Plöchlin machen
Zum zwire zum zware, der Vogel ist gefangen.
Welchs sind der Buler gröste thorheiten?
Wie heissen des Wirts kammern?
Was schenckst mir inn das hauß?
Womit verdieneten ihr den krantz?
Schachzabel. Wolffs zagel.
Höltzin gelächter.
Warumb hast dein liebchen lieb?
Faul eisen
Verbotten mein.
Der letzt ein Schelm.
Wie reuten die Mönch.
Häubeln.
Der Braut.
Schuch pletzen.
Schelmentrager.
Der minsten augen.
Zwei gleich gewints.
Stecken stöcken,
Nestel vom Messer blasen.
Nussenspicken,
Wie vil schiesest mir auff ein Nestel,
Plöchlin stellen fällen,
Zeichen oder unzeichen.
Pfenning im Buch pletern,
Tafel schiessen,
Helmlin zihen,
Verbergens.
Kinder außtheilen,
Käß trucken,
Da sitz ich fein, da ward ich dein,
Ich gang, ich komm, ich komm, ich gang,
Der Träum.
Deß beichtens,
Deß Schulmeisters mit der langen Nasen.
Alle bösen
Der Sünden büß.
Ich erinner euch,
Ich gieng durch ein enges Gäßlin, begegnet mir ein schwartz Pfäflin, etc.
Es wolt ein Jungfrau züchtig sein, nam ihn inn die hand und wiß ihn drein, etc.
Ich legt mein Bauch auf sein Bauch, etc.
Wann ich dirs nenn, und du so grosser Narr bist, und nicht weist was das ist.
Wickerlin, weckerlein laufft übers Aeckerlein, hat mehr bein, dann meiner Hund kein.
All zinck.
Seß eß,
Kuntz hinder dem Ofen.
Zu den Hunden.
Wer ja und Nein sagt.
Keller und Koch, bloß ins loch.
Haden umb die händ in vil gestalt winden.
Grandmercy,
Ich bleib. Ich tausch.
Mönchsgebett,
Wers hat der red,
Schimmel laß dich wischen,
Wessen ist die hand, der finger?
Der erst herauß, der letzt drinnen,
Das Bocken,
Harnisch fegen.
Fasten auff der Karten.
Titerint tractro, stampf ins Stro.
Wie gibst den Fincken
Wer was weiß der sags,
Weiß oder schwartz?
Deß Igelstechens,
Spitz das mündlin,
Wer kans wissen, wie vil die Magd hat, etc.
Den Katzenstrigel.
Oel außschlagen,
Pfeifft oder ich such euch nicht.
Kapp komm auß dem Häußcken.
Des Warnens,
Wie erschien dir vornächten dein Bule?
Bierenbaum schütteln.
Küle, kühele gump nit.
Schabab
Trag den Knaben.
Deß Judas.
Da zünd er ihr den Rocken an,
Des Weberspils.
Hütlin, hütlin durch die bein.
Rebecca ruck den stul.
Leuß oder Niß,
Wie reutst die Sau, daß sie nicht hau.
Im Winter auß, im Sommer an,
Den Hund heben.
Der schleckhafften Katzen,
Vier bein zwey bein,
Wa lauffen die Seck selbs herauß?
Hinden rauch, fornen kal,
Wa thun all hüpsch Frauen hin?
Wünsch das beiden nutzt,
Trey wünsch auff eim stiel,
Mein Vatter fieng ein Fisch, wie lang?
Deß Welschen giffts.
Warumb seufftzt ihr Nachbar?
Was reuet dich?
Ists Esel oder Edel?
Inn was gestalt dir die Wandlung gefallt.
Herbei, es ist opfferens zeit.
Ich und mein Knecht tragen ein Harnisch feyl.
Wirten,
Hilteckens.
Treimal sechs,
Den überwurff,
Den zwölfften stein,
Pferdlin wol bereit.
Ritschen.
Pfeifft oder ich such euch nicht,
Schulwinckel,
Hol oder voll
Hänlin komm auß dem winckelein.
Das Hänlin, hänlin hat gelegt.
Furtz im Bad, oben auß, nirgend an
Es beißt baß,
Der kleiner ziehet den grossen,
Tantz oder pfeiff,
Wa klebt der Senff.
Iß Heues vil, so iß des meher,
Den grindigen Gauch beropffen,
Kätzlin mach ein hasentäplin,
Wolff beiß mich nicht.
Der schmach und raach,
Der Neue Zeitung beim Bronnen.
Des Promovirens inn der Lehr der Lieb.
Der Heimlichkeit.
Was krüselt sich, was mauset sich?
Ist nahe darbei, baß auff den Esel.
Soll ich, bin ich,
Dem Blinden opfferen.
Was ich wünsch, sey dein halb,
Immen wigen.
Ich bring dir ein Vögelin,
Was für Blumen zieren sie wol?
References
Rabelais, François (). Gargantua [text in French]. François Juste: Lyon, France.
Rabelais, François (). La vie inestimable du grand Gargantua, pere de Pantagruel, iadis cōpoſee par L’abſtracteur de quite eſsēce [text in French]. François Juste: Lyon, France.
Rabelais, François (). La Plaiſante, & Ioyeuse hiſtoyre du grand Geant Gargantua [text in French]. Eſtienne Dolet: Lyon, France.
Rabelais, François (). La vie treshorrificque du grand Gargantua, pere de Pantagruel, iadis cōpoſee par M. Alcofribas abſtracteur de quinte eſſence [text in French]. François Juste: Lyon, France.
Rabelais, François (). François Rabelais: tout ce qui existe de ses œuvres [text in French], edited by Louis Moland. Garnier Frères: Paris.
Urquhart, Thomas and Peter Le Motteux (). The lives, heroic deeds & sayings of Gargantua & his son Pantagruel. Chatto & Windus: London. First published in 1653.
Smith, W. F. (). Rabelais: The Five Books and Minor Writings volume 1. Alexander P. Watt: London.
Rabelais, François (). The Histories of Gargantua and Pantagruel, translated by J. M. Cohen. Penguin. ISBN: 0-14-044047-X.
Frame, Donald (). The Complete Works of François Rabelais. University of California Press: Berkeley.
Rabelais, François (). Gargantua: the most horrific life of the great Gargantua, father of Pantagruel, translated by Andrew Brown. Hersperus Press: London, England. ISBN: 1-84391-057-8.
Rabelais, François (). Gargantua and Pantagruel, translated by M. A. Screech. Penguin: London, England. ISBN: 978-0-14-193578-2.
Rabelais, François (). Oeuvres de Maitre François Rabelais, publiées sous le titre de faits et dits du géant Gargantua et de son fils Pantagruel [text in French] volume 1. Henri Bordesius: Amsterdam.
Rabelais, François (). Oeuvres de maitre François Rabelais: avec des remarques historiques et critiques de Mr. Le Duchat [text in French] volume 1. Jean Frédéric Bernard: Amsterdam.
Psichari, Michel (). ‘Les Jeux de Gargantua’ [text in French]. Revue des Études rabelaisiennes vol. 6: pages 1–37, 124–81, 317–61.
Sainéan, Lazare [Lazăr Șăineanu] (). La Langue de Rabelais [text in French] volume 1: ‘Civilisation de la Renaissance’. E. de Boccard: Paris.
Gallitalo, Claudio [Nicolaas Jarichides Wieringa] (). Alle de Geestige Werken van Mr. Francois Rabelais [text in Dutch]. Jan ten Hoorn: Amsterdam.
Fischarts, Johann (). Geschichtklitterung [text in German]. Max Niemeyer: Halle, Germany. First published in 1590.