I'm about to draw a comic in which a silly old toy is used and mentioned by name. Problem is, I have no idea what it's called in English - the comic is in English, but that isn't my first language. I don't even know if this toy was ever used in English-speaking places. The literal translation of the toy's name is "string ball". I've not been able to find any info with Google.
The toy is basically a wooden ball with a hole in it, connected to a stick with a piece of string. The idea is that you throw this ball into the air and try to catch it by placing the stick into the hole as the ball comes down. It's trickier than it sounds!
Does this ring a bell with anyone? Help please!
PS: It looks somewhat like this (drawn from hazy memory):
Help: What's this toy called?
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- Mondegreen
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Help: What's this toy called?
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- Mercury Hat
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
A google search tells me it can be called a bilbo catcher but I've never heard that term before.
I know the toy, but I don't know if I ever even called it anything.
I know the toy, but I don't know if I ever even called it anything.
Re: Help: What's this toy called?
The first thing I thought of was the Japanese Kendama toy. Your version lacks the side cups, but there are plenty of variations (from a wide selection of cultures) on this toy.
Re: Help: What's this toy called?
Looks like something relating to the famous "Ball-and-Cup" toy; "Ball-and-Stick" maybe? I'll search around.
- Ahaugen
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
It's okay if you miss, because the ball is on a string and attached to the cup
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- Killbert-Robby
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
Considering the shape, I think bilbo is the worst possible name for itMercury Hat wrote:A google search tells me it can be called a bilbo catcher but I've never heard that term before.
I know the toy, but I don't know if I ever even called it anything.

- Tynan
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
I think it's the "D-kawg Dickin' Deluxe"
- Mondegreen
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
That name does give disorienting connotations, at least if you've read Tolkien.Mercury Hat wrote:A google search tells me it can be called a bilbo catcher but I've never heard that term before.

Ah cool! That is very helpful. Kendama or bilboquet it is then. Thank you very much!Heart wrote:The first thing I thought of was the Japanese Kendama toy. Your version lacks the side cups, but there are plenty of variations (from a wide selection of cultures) on this toy.

- Killbert-Robby
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
Mental image will never go awayyyyyTynan wrote:I think it's the "D-kawg Dickin' Deluxe"

- Jesusabdullah
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Re: Help: What's this toy called?
I know it's not, but it reminds me of an Eskimo Yo-Yo.