Game
Forms: game, games, gamey, gamehog(s), gamekeeper
Related Terms:
Beat
Custom
Compete
Win
Lose
Gay
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:
- Game, n. (OED n. 2) An activity which provides amusement or fun.
“They were playing the Irving Bishop game, finding the pin blindfold and thoughtreading” (U. 15.444)
- Game, n. (OED n. 7.a) An activity, undertaking, scheme, state of affairs, etc., likened to a game in its manner of proceeding.
“I shall call rebutting evidence to prove up to the hilt that the hidden hand is again at its old game” (U. 15. 975).
- 3. Game, adj. (OED adj. 2). Having the necessary spirit or will for a specified challenge, adventure, novel experience, etc.; ready and willing.
“And a game filly she is” (U. 10. 511)
“When the bell went came on gamey and brimful of pluck, confident of knocking out the fistic Eblanite in jigtime” (U. 12. 975)
- Also applied to actions, attributes, etc. (OED 1)
Related Topics
Competition, Sports, Gender, Sexuality,
