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Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Padiddle

 

Padiddle



The other night while driving to our bowling league, we passed a car with one headlight out.  I said to Mrs. C,

“That could be dangerous, looks like a motorcycle until you get close.”

“Yep; have you ever heard of a padiddle?”

“Padiddle?  You know about a padiddle? I thought that was just a local thing from way back when.”

“My mom used to call them out, if you call a padiddle you can make a wish.”

“When we saw one, you could kiss your girl, or if you were with a guy, you punched him on the arm. I haven’t heard the term in a zillion years.”

Later, of course, I Googled “Padiddle.”

Padiddle, alternatively spelled pediddle or perdiddle, is a Canadian and American slang term for a vehicle with a burnt-out headlight

Unfortunately, there is no official source or record that explains the exact meaning and origin of Padiddle. Its earliest appearances are in the 1940s, when mentions of the activity appeared in Archie comic strips...

Padiddle wasn’t originally a point-based family game, It was a way for young lovebirds who were driving around town to exchange kisses.

There are various padiddle rules, like yelling out “Padiddle” and punching the car roof or a window when you spot one.  The first to yell it out and punch the roof gets a point. Some people kept score earning points on a long trip. 

I think the game would be pretty boring today, I almost never see a car with a burned-out headlight.  It used to be quite common.  I guess they make headlights more long-lasting these days.

Maybe I just don’t notice like I used to.  I don’t need a padiddle to kiss Mrs. C.

 

 

 

 

11 comments:

  1. Twinkle, Twinkle,
    One Eyed Car,
    We All Wonder
    Where You Are!
    Burma Shave

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  2. I have never heard of Padiddle. We just used to call them idiots. Perhaps in days gone by people couldn't always afford to get them fixed. If they were in town, policemen would pull them over and remind them it's against the law.

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  3. I've never heard of that term here in Missouri. We are too busy becoming the next Florida, what with the smiling mug shot lady who murdered her boyfriend with a sword down in Casino Town.

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  4. Over here it is illegal to drive with just one headlight.

    God bless.

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  5. We played that game in Florida under the name of "one eyed jack". It was basically a kissing game. If the guy saw it, the girl had to kiss him. If she saw it, he had to kiss her. See a pattern here? Pretty sure the rules were made up by the guys:)

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  6. Never heard this word until today. Something to keep the kids entertained though.

    Have a fabulous day, Joe. ☺

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  7. HaI I’ve learned something. Never heard of that here in California.

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  8. Happy New Year to you and yours.

    God bless.

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  9. Never heard of it! Cool, to still be learning!

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  10. We used to play this game as kids too, but we called it "Speedeedo." (I'm guessing at the spelling.)

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