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| {{short description|Game of tag played in a swimming pool}} | {{short description|Game of tag played in a swimming pool}} | ||
| {{For|the historical figure|Marco Polo|}} | |||
| {{Infobox game | {{Infobox game | ||
| | subject_name=Marco Polo game | | subject_name=Marco Polo game | ||
| | players=2 or more | | players=2 or more | ||
| | setup_time= 30 seconds | | setup_time= 30 seconds | ||
| | playing_time= |
| playing_time= No limit | ||
| | random_chance_of_survival=very low | |||
| | skills= ], ] | | skills= ], ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Marco Polo''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-marco polo.ogg|ˈ|m|ɑr|k|oʊ|_|ˈ|p|oʊ|l|oʊ}}) is a form of ] played in a ].<ref name=play>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Bittarello |first=Maria Beatrice |date=2009 |title=Marco Polo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eL91AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA376 |editor-last=Carlisle |editor-first=Rodney P. |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society |volume=1 |location=Los Angeles |publisher=SAGE |page=376 |isbn=978-1-4129-6670-2 |access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref> | |||
| '''Marco Polo''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-marco polo.ogg|ˈ|m|ɑr|k|oʊ|_|ˈ|p|oʊ|l|oʊ}} | |||
| ==Rules== | |||
| One player is chosen as "it". That player, with closed eyes, tries to find and tag any one of the other players, relying on hearing to find someone to tag. The player who is "it" shouts "Marco" and the other players must all respond by shouting "Polo", which the "it" player uses to try to find them. If a player is tagged, then that player becomes "it".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jeffrey |first=Phillip |author2=Mike Blackstock |author3=Matthias Finke |author4=Anthony Tang |author5=Rodger Lea |author6=Meghan Deutscher |author7=Kento Miyaoku |title=Chasing the Fugitive on Campus: Designing a Location-based Game for Collaborative Play |journal=Proceedings of CGSA 2006 Symposium |publisher=Canadian Games Study Association |url=http://journals.sfu.ca/loading/index.php/loading/article/viewFile/12/15}}</ref> If "it" suspects that a player has left the pool, they can shout, "fish out of water!" and the player who is out of the pool becomes the new "it".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/backyard-fun-games/10-swimming-pool-games1.htm|title=10 Classic Swimming Pool Games|work=How Stuff Works| date=26 July 2013|access-date=25 June 2019}}</ref> | |||
| The game can also be played on land. It is similar to ], where one person is blindfolded while others choose hiding places around the room. While playing, one cannot hold another player in place to be tagged or that person is it.{{cn|date=November 2022}} | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The game shares its name with the 13th-century Italian trader and explorer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://virtualology.com/hallofexplorers/marco--polo.com/|title=Marco Polo|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> | The game shares its name with the 13th-century Italian trader and explorer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://virtualology.com/hallofexplorers/marco--polo.com/|title=Marco Polo|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> | ||
| There does not appear to be any real connection between the game and the explorer of the same name,<ref name="wisegeek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-game-marco-polo.htm|title=What Is the Game Marco Polo?|work=wiseGEEK|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> |
There does not appear to be any real connection between the game and the explorer of the same name,<ref name="wisegeek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-game-marco-polo.htm|title=What Is the Game Marco Polo?|work=wiseGEEK|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> Although according to one whimsical explanation, "legend has it that the famed explorer didn't have a clue as to where he was going", this being reflected in the "it" player's behavior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retroland.com/marco-polo/|title=Marco Polo - Retroland|work=Retroland|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> Although ] is another popular pool game, the name of "Marco Polo" is unrelated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.word-detective.com/2010/09/polo-marco-polo/|title=Polo / Marco Polo|publisher=Word Detective|date=September 15, 2010|access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref> | ||
| The game shares similar traits with blind man's |
The game shares similar traits with blind man's buff, an essentially identical game played on dry land that dates back to at least the 16th century.<ref name="wisegeek.com"/> Marco Polo was known as a water game in America by the 1960s. Between 1965 and 1970, some respondents to a ] survey, when asked to name a game played in the water, responded with "Marco Polo".<ref name="wisc">. Dictionary of American Regional English Survey.</ref> By the mid-1970s, the game had spread and become very popular in swimming pools frequented by expatriates living in Hong Kong. It did not reach swimming pools in the United Kingdom until later, likely from British children returning from Hong Kong for their studies.{{cn|date=April 2022}} | ||
| In modern times, Marco Polo is played worldwide. Various regions have their own versions of the game,<ref name="wisegeek.com"/> with names such as Mermaid on the Rocks and Alligator.<ref name= |
In modern times, Marco Polo is played worldwide. Various regions have their own versions of the game,<ref name="wisegeek.com"/> with names such as Mermaid on the Rocks and Alligator.<ref name=play/> The term "Marco Polo game" is sometimes used to describe an online game where a similar call-and-response system of gameplay is adopted.<ref name=play/> | ||
| ==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
| Marco Polo is an "easily modifiable game", and is based on the notion of ].<ref name=play/> Marco Polo is a location-based game because players are confined to a set space and because players must locate each other using auditory clues.<ref name=play/> Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society argues "there is bipolarity in the reversal of roles...there are repeated actions, a routine to be repeated, rules to be observed, and verbal signs to be used".<ref name=play/> Playing this game can allow children to experiment with different social roles, for example learning what it means to be an outcast in the role of "it" (isolated, confined to a space, and unable to see others).<ref name=play/> According to the Nevada Regional Medical Center, "Marco Polo is not only fun, it can be a good workout. It also puts less stress on your bones and joints because the water makes your body float."<ref>{{cite news |author=Nevada Regional Medical Center |title=It Takes One to Tango: Some Tips to Keep Fit |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=20030126&id=le4hAAAAIBAJ&pg=1251,1282885 |date=26 January 2003 |work=] |page=8A |access-date=28 June 2020 |via=]}}</ref> | Marco Polo is an "easily modifiable game", and is based on the notion of ].<ref name=play/> Marco Polo is a location-based game because players are confined to a set space and because players must locate each other using auditory clues.<ref name=play/> Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society argues "there is bipolarity in the reversal of roles...there are repeated actions, a routine to be repeated, rules to be observed, and verbal signs to be used".<ref name=play/> Playing this game can allow children to experiment with different social roles, for example learning what it means to be an outcast in the role of "it" (isolated, confined to a space, and unable to see others).<ref name=play/> According to the Nevada Regional Medical Center, "Marco Polo is not only fun, it can be a good workout. It also puts less stress on your bones and joints because the water makes your body float."<ref>{{cite news |author=Nevada Regional Medical Center |title=It Takes One to Tango: Some Tips to Keep Fit |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=20030126&id=le4hAAAAIBAJ&pg=1251,1282885 |date=26 January 2003 |work=] |page=8A |access-date=28 June 2020 |via=]}}</ref> | ||
| ==In popular culture== | |||
| There is an episode of '']'', season 6 episode 4, named "]." The game is referred to various times, but never explained nor fully played.{{cn|date=October 2024}} | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| {{Outdoor games}} | {{Outdoor games}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 18:26, 10 December 2024
Game of tag played in a swimming pool| Players | 2 or more |
|---|---|
| Setup time | 30 seconds |
| Playing time | No limit |
| Skills | Swimming, sound localization |
Marco Polo (/ˈmɑːrkoʊ ˈpoʊloʊ/ ) is a form of tag played in a swimming pool.
Rules
One player is chosen as "it". That player, with closed eyes, tries to find and tag any one of the other players, relying on hearing to find someone to tag. The player who is "it" shouts "Marco" and the other players must all respond by shouting "Polo", which the "it" player uses to try to find them. If a player is tagged, then that player becomes "it". If "it" suspects that a player has left the pool, they can shout, "fish out of water!" and the player who is out of the pool becomes the new "it".
The game can also be played on land. It is similar to Blind Man's Buff, where one person is blindfolded while others choose hiding places around the room. While playing, one cannot hold another player in place to be tagged or that person is it.
History
The game shares its name with the 13th-century Italian trader and explorer Marco Polo.
There does not appear to be any real connection between the game and the explorer of the same name, Although according to one whimsical explanation, "legend has it that the famed explorer didn't have a clue as to where he was going", this being reflected in the "it" player's behavior. Although water polo is another popular pool game, the name of "Marco Polo" is unrelated.
The game shares similar traits with blind man's buff, an essentially identical game played on dry land that dates back to at least the 16th century. Marco Polo was known as a water game in America by the 1960s. Between 1965 and 1970, some respondents to a Dictionary of American Regional English survey, when asked to name a game played in the water, responded with "Marco Polo". By the mid-1970s, the game had spread and become very popular in swimming pools frequented by expatriates living in Hong Kong. It did not reach swimming pools in the United Kingdom until later, likely from British children returning from Hong Kong for their studies.
In modern times, Marco Polo is played worldwide. Various regions have their own versions of the game, with names such as Mermaid on the Rocks and Alligator. The term "Marco Polo game" is sometimes used to describe an online game where a similar call-and-response system of gameplay is adopted.
Analysis
Marco Polo is an "easily modifiable game", and is based on the notion of call-and-response. Marco Polo is a location-based game because players are confined to a set space and because players must locate each other using auditory clues. Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society argues "there is bipolarity in the reversal of roles...there are repeated actions, a routine to be repeated, rules to be observed, and verbal signs to be used". Playing this game can allow children to experiment with different social roles, for example learning what it means to be an outcast in the role of "it" (isolated, confined to a space, and unable to see others). According to the Nevada Regional Medical Center, "Marco Polo is not only fun, it can be a good workout. It also puts less stress on your bones and joints because the water makes your body float."
In popular culture
There is an episode of Modern Family, season 6 episode 4, named "Marco Polo." The game is referred to various times, but never explained nor fully played.
References
- ^ Bittarello, Maria Beatrice (2009). "Marco Polo". In Carlisle, Rodney P. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society. Vol. 1. Los Angeles: SAGE. p. 376. ISBN 978-1-4129-6670-2. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- Jeffrey, Phillip; Mike Blackstock; Matthias Finke; Anthony Tang; Rodger Lea; Meghan Deutscher; Kento Miyaoku. "Chasing the Fugitive on Campus: Designing a Location-based Game for Collaborative Play". Proceedings of CGSA 2006 Symposium. Canadian Games Study Association.
- "10 Classic Swimming Pool Games". How Stuff Works. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- "Marco Polo". Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- ^ "What Is the Game Marco Polo?". wiseGEEK. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- "Marco Polo - Retroland". Retroland. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- "Polo / Marco Polo". Word Detective. September 15, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- "Games Played in the Water". Dictionary of American Regional English Survey.
- Nevada Regional Medical Center (26 January 2003). "It Takes One to Tango: Some Tips to Keep Fit". Sunday Nevada Herald. p. 8A. Retrieved 28 June 2020 – via Google News Archive.
| Gym, outdoor and playground games | |
|---|---|
| Tag | |
| Other | |