Here in the midwest we call Beetles “slugbugs”. Ralf, Jr and I have been playing this game for years. There’s an orange slugbug about a mile from our house, and we pass it at least 2-3 times a week. Each of us tries to get the other engaged in conversation to distract him from noticing it. Claiming that orange one is a major coup.
We’ve branched out some to use other makes and models, too. There’s the “Ram Slam” for the dodge ram pickup; the “cruiser bruiser” for the PT Cruiser; the “jeep beep” for a jeep wrangler; and my favorite, the “durango bango” for the dodge Durango.
My 14 yr. old plays this as well, with a slight variation. She yells “punchbuggy”, then proceeds to punch me until I say the color of said buggy. At 6’ 160lbs, this tends to hurt.
punch piggy - police car
punch piggy double - police car with lights on
punch piggy triple - police car with lights on pulling you over
Several months ago, I was pulled over by a cop real late at night, coming home from a baseball game (long drive). I had initiated my young brother in the game earlier in the day, so after the policeman left (after issuing a warning), he said, slowly… “So… was that a punch piggy triple, then?”
Yep, we play punchbuggy, too. Can’t call a color, must say “No punchbacks!” to avoid being the punchee for the same buggy for which you were the OP (Original Puncher). And yes, ChiefScott, VW dealerships are a real pain.
My kids also like to play “Who can count the most firehydrants?”. See a hydrant, call it, add one to your total. Once the hydrant is called it’s yours. No one else can count it. I am the master of this game! Being taller than the kids and in the driver’s seat helps, but I can even spot 100% at night. It impresses the kids no end. One day I may even explain to them about the blue, reflective road markings that indicate a nearby hydrant…
I’m a big punch buggy fan from way back. We even kept “Official Punch Buggy Scorecards” in our cars when I was married to my first husband. A friend of mine claims to have gone to the one and only official Punch Buggy Verification School in Germany and if there is any dispute as to a punch buggy siting, you can call him and he will act as arbitrator after all the facts have been presented in a punch buggy debate. And, pursuant to the rules learned at Punch Buggy Verification School, new Beetles do NOT count!
I dated a girl from Montana who played what seems like a combined version of punch buggy and padiddle. She called it “One Eye”. Every time she saw a car with one headlight out, she punched me instead of the roof.
The first time she screamed “One-eye!” and punched me I didn’t know what the hell to make of it and thought she was nuts!
We played punch buggy in Quebec as well. I know my neighbours still did before I moved here (they’re about 10ish). The thing is, they don’t speak English at all, so I wonder if they even know what it means…? They do have the punching down, though! Last time I babysat I got a wicked bruise!
I grew up in NW Pa, and our version (Punch bug) included “no returns” as well, but the way it worked was:
Green bug drives by, Punch bug Green! (and if you don’t call no returns you are immediately answered by)
RETURN! (and boy, did we ever get each other on the returns)
Sometimes there was a hotly debated inquest as to whether the return was inflicted before the no return was spoken. Those usually just degenerated into full blown beatings.
Ah…the nostalgia threatens to overtake me. :rolleyes: (uh, not really)
The bear family has played these games for years, ever since the cubs were quite small. We call it Punchabuggy, and it’s up to you whether or not to call the color. The color usually comes in handy in making sure that someone else saw it too <the verifier> or when there is more than one buggy around. We gave up the punching after Mom <that would be me> got her glasses knocked off while driving, not to mention a nasty bruise, from one of the kids who got a little carried away. If you’re the only one who sees that beetle, it doesn’t count, so it’s wise to make sure that someone else sees it too. I almost always win, occasionally losing to Mr Bear <though that’s rare ;)>. Never heard of getting all of that color for the day though.
My son told us about Padiddle, I have no idea where he got it from, so we often play that too at night. Btw, we now live in Tx, but have also lived up in Nebraska, so it’s not just an East Coast thing.
Dantheman, the other game Mr Bear started was to ‘Pop a Cop’. I had to ban him from ‘popping’ me in the arm each time, I was tired of the bruises. Now I’m as good or better as he is, and the kids have a long way to go to be that good. Every time a cop car was spotted <or van, truck, or whatever they have> you yell Pop a Cop! and get a point.
I’m somewhat famous <she says modestly :p> for winning at both Punchabuggy and Pop a Cop in the same day. My personal best, driving from San Antonio to Austin once, was 20 Punchabuggies and 12 Pop a Cops in 2 hrs.
Now, VB, be nice to Chieffie. You know how those navy types are.
Ugh. My friend always does the punchbug thing. Not as a game, just as an excuse to punch me. And she notices every single one. It’s like she has puchbug radar or something. Then when she punches me, she does it hard. If I complain, she’s all, “you wuss!” But… it hurts!
