This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 118.189.32.51 (talk) at 01:06, 11 April 2023 (I chang). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 01:06, 11 April 2023 by 118.189.32.51 (talk) (I chang)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Game of tag played in a swimming pool For the historical figure, see Marco Polo.| Players | 2 or more |
|---|---|
| Setup time | 30 seconds |
| Playing time | 30–40 minutes |
| Skills | Swimming, sound localization |
Marco Polo (/ˈmɑːrkoʊ ˈpoʊloʊ/
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 really 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 apparently unrelated.
The game shares similar traits with blind man's bluff, an essentially identical game played on dry land which 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."
References
- "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.
- ^ 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.
- 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 | |