Taboo is a word, guessing, and party game published by Parker Brothers in
1989. The objective of the game is for a player to have their partners guess the
word on the player's card without using the word itself or five additional words
listed on the card. The game is similar to Catch Phrase,
also from Hasbro, in which a player tries to get his or her teammates to
guess words using verbal clues. Taboo was later the basis for a 2002 game show
of the same name on TNN, hosted by comedian Chris Wylde.
Equipment A few hundred cards with 5 taboo words
and the word that has to be explained on one side of the card
Tray for holding cards Timer
Buzzer Pencil and paper for scorekeeping
Some early editions include a board to track progress, but current editions do
not. The second edition of the game, produced
in 1994, has a round, pink squeaker, or hooter, instead of a buzzer, as do the
1993 and 1990 editions. Taboo Junior, the game for younger
players, includes a purple squeaker, as do a few of the other editions from 1996
and 2002 as well as 2012. In 1990, Hasbro sold packs of additional
words, but they are no longer in production.
Rules An even number of players from four to
ten sit alternating around in a circle. Players take turns as the "giver," who
attempts to prompt his or her teammates to guess as many keywords as possible in
the allotted time. However, each card also has "taboo" words listed which may
not be spoken. Should the giver say one, a "censor" on the opposing team hits the
buzzer and the giver must move on to the next word. For example, the giver might
have to get his or her team to deduce the word "baseball" without offering the
words "sport," "game," "pastime," "hitter," "pitcher," or "baseball"
itself as clues. The giver may not say a part of a "taboo" word; for example,
using "base" in "baseball" is taboo. The giver may only use speech to prompt his
or her teammates; gestures, sounds, or drawings are not allowed. Singing is
permitted, provided the singer is singing words rather than humming or
whistling a tune. The giver's hints may not rhyme with a taboo word, or be an
abbreviation of a taboo word. While the giver is prompting the
teammates they may make as many guesses as they want with no penalties for wrong
guesses. Once the team correctly guesses the word exactly as written on the card,
the giver moves on to the next word, trying to get as many words as possible
in the allotted time. When time runs out, play passes to the next adjacent
player of the other team. The playing team receives one point for correct
guesses and one penalty point if "taboo" words are spoken.
In popular culture There was a game show based on TABOO in
2002, hosted by Chris Wylde. In the 2008 film Four Christmases, Kate,
and Brad played Taboo with Brad's mother and her boyfriend.
On January 29, 2010, Cassandra Dominguez of Madrid, Spain scored what is believed
to be a record 38 in a 4-round game of Taboo at the 2010 World Board Gamers
Convention. The game was also played in the show
Will & Grace, in the season 3 episode, "Cheaters".
The buzzer was featured in The Office episode Special Project.
The game was played on BBC Radio 1 by Greg James during the second night of
his Glasgow sofa surfing week in July 2012.
The game was played on The Ellen DeGeneres Show by Ellen DeGeneres and
Katy Perry. Variations
1989 edition 1990 edition with pink hooter
1993 edition with pink hooter 1994 edition with pink hooter
1996 edition with pink hooter 1999 10th anniversary edition
Celebrity Taboo Platinum edition electronic Taboo
Taboo Jewish Edition Taboo Junior
Taboo for Kids The Big Taboo
Taboo Body Language Taboo Quick Draw
Taboo Singaporean Version 2002 edition with purple squeaker
2003 edition with red squeaker 2009 20th anniversary edition
2011 All New version with new clues and a "game changing" die
2013 edition with "game changing" die Taboo Buzz'd
See also Play Taboo Game Online
Taboo from FunkyGames, a variation for Android
Big Taboo, a variation Word Charades, an iOS variation
Unspeakable - Taboo Like With Friends, a variation for iPhone
References External links
Play Taboo Game Online at http:PlayTabooGame.com
Taboo at Hasbro Taboo on Android Devices
Category Kings - a Free game for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad