Game

Forms: game, games, gamey, gamehog(s), gamekeeper

Related Terms: 

beat, custom, gay, pair

Explication

The most common usage of the word “game” appears in a competitive sense, where the word serves to represent some (either formal or informal) back and forth between individuals in an often jocular manner [“The game of laugh and lie down” (U. 9. 458)]. Even in instances that may not directly reference a specific competition, “game” is often used in relation to traditional sports terms [“game ball” (U. 10.304)]. The lexical item comes up in specific reference to competitive sports [“police forbidding Irish games in the park” (U. 12.679)] but also less formal games not related to sports [“The hidden hand is again at its old game” (U. 15.975)].

 

The second most common use for “game” is as an adjective, usually in reference to someone describing themselves or being described as prepared, ready, or spirited [“I’ll introduce you, inspector. She’s game” (U. 15.747)]. The term also appears in its adjective form in reference to horses as “And a game filly she is” (U. 10. 511)]. In both of these descriptive contexts, “game” carries a youthfulness and an energy that implies an ability to be competitive (especially in the horse racing world) or a certain level of power or ability that is clear in a person’s character.

 

As well, Ulysses has a few additional variations that add different definitions such as “gamehogs” [“The fellows that never will be slaves, with the only hereditary chamber on the face of God’s earth and their land in the hands of a dozen gamehogs and cottonball baron” (U. 12.1348)] and “gamekeeper” [“God help his gamekeeper” (U. 15. 648)], which both carry unique yet somewhat uncertain definitions within the context of the term’s usage.

 

 

 

Definitions and Examples:

Noun:

• Amusement, sport, fun; pleasure, enjoyment, in later use only with modifying adjective, as  great (good, etc.) game.

“So off they started about Irish sports and shoneen games the like of lawn tennis”

• Freq. with the. Lovemaking; amorous sport or dalliance; (also) an instance of this. In modern (and some earlier) use often specifically denoting sexual intercourse. Now rare.

*No clear usage of this definition in Ulysses*

• slang. With the. Prostitution. Earliest in  lady (also girl, etc.) of the game. In later use chiefly in on the game

*No clear usage of this definition in Ulysses*

• Originally: a butt or object of ridicule, a laughing stock

*No clear usage of this definition in Ulysses*

Adjective:

• Of a person or animal: full of pluck, spirit, or fight; spirited, plucky; intrepid. Also applied to actions, attributes, etc.

“I’ll introduce you, inspector. She’s game” (U. 15.747)

“And a game filly she is” (U. 10. 511)

• Having the necessary spirit or will for a specified challenge, adventure, novel experience, etc.; ready and willing

“When the bell went came on gamey and brimful of pluck, confident of knocking out the fistic Eblanite in jigtime” (U. 12. 975)

 

Verb

(Verb usage of “game” have not been found in a search of the text)

• intr. To amuse oneself; to play, sport, jest; (occas.) to indulge in amorous or flirtatious play. Formerly also (occas.) trans. (refl.) in same sense.

*No clear usage of this definition in Ulysses*

• trans. colloq. Originally: to make fun of. Later: to deceive, ‘kid’. Now chiefly U.S

*No clear usage of this definition in Ulysses*

• intr. To take part in an indoor game, of a kind on which stakes or wagers may be placed; esp. to play games of chance for such stakes or wagers; to gamble. Now somewhat arch

*No clear usage of this definition in Ulysses*

Related Topics (?)

Competition, Sports, Gender, Sexuality,