Categories (game)

An example sheet from a game of Categories, for the letter "N"

Categories is a word game where players attempt to list words that fit into particular categories, all starting with the same letter.[1] Players start by deciding on a list of categories between them, such as "town" or "actor",[2] and each writing that list on a sheet of paper. A letter of the alphabet is then chosen at random, and players have a set amount of time to write something for each category that starts with that letter.[1]

When the time is up, players swap sheets and score one another's attempts. An entry unique among the group is worth 2 points, whereas an entry shared with another player scores 1 point. The player with the highest total is the winner. For subsequent rounds, a different letter is chosen.[1]

U.S. president John F. Kennedy is said to have been a fan of the game, one biography describing his family as playing it "endlessly".[3]

  1. ^ a b c Brandreth, Gyles Daubeney (1986). Everyman's word games. London: Dent. p. 67. ISBN 0460047116.
  2. ^ Parlett, David (1982). The Penguin Book of Word Games. Penguin Books. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-14-005686-0.
  3. ^ Blair, Joan; Blair, Clay (1976). The Search for JFK. Berkley Publishing Corporation. p. 345. ISBN 978-0-399-11418-2.