Word Blast

by Star Gal
(USA)

This is a fun and challenging game that invites laughter and discussion. People can learn from it, too. Because of the nature of the game, it's best for adults and teenagers.

I'd say it's geared towards English as the primary language players. It could be used as a business warm up or be a party game.

Resources depend on how you want to keep score and have answers displayed -- pen and paper, a notepad, or maybe just a chalk board. That's all that is needed really. Now these days you can probably use your TV or computer monitor to display the words in big letters, depending on the available technology where it's being played.

The game can be 5 minutes, 10 ... an hour. It's really open to the mood and the participants. In other words, it's highly adaptable.

There is some pre-work that has to be done by one person, the host or Word-giver. Using an obscure dictionary or, even better, an online website that features ancient, obsolete words, time has to be applied to looking up words and writing down their definitions.

The fun thing here is that a person could spend an hour doing this on one day and have words for multiple occasions. These words need to be little known, old, outdated, etc. The idea is to pick words most people aren't familiar with.

Players can be put teams or play individually. The host states the word in play and can write it down for the players. The host also provides anywhere from 2 to 4 meanings for each word, one of which is the actual definition and the others just made up. How many alternatives are used is up to the time and effort the host wants to put into it.

It can be an 'either/or' game or a multiple choice situation. If playing in a team, a time limit has to be given for the teams to consult and make their selection, or it can be one person up at a time without consulting. Answers by the teams should be written down and displayed when called upon.

If individuals are playing, give them all slates or pads so they can write down their answers, all of which should be displayed at the same time. The individual or team with the most correct answers at the end of the game wins. That's it.

Like I said, you can adapt it in numerous ways and it does evoke conversation as some of these words sound odd and have silly definitions. Get some imaginative and creative people playing, and it's really a hoot!