Olly_olly_oxen_free

Olly olly oxen free

Olly olly oxen free

Catchphrase used in children's games

"Olly olly oxen free" is a catchphrase or truce term used in children's games such as hide and seek, capture the flag, and kick the can to indicate that players who are hiding can come out into the open without losing the game or that the position of the sides in a game has changed[1] (as in which side is on the field or which side is at bat or "up" in baseball or kickball); alternatively, that the game is entirely over.

The origin of the phrase is unknown. The Dictionary of American Regional English says the phrase may be derived from all ye, all ye outs in free, all the outs in free, or possibly ”calling all the outs in free”; in other words, all who are out may come in without penalty.[2] Others speculate the phrase may be a corruption of a hypothetical and ungrammatical German phrase alle, alle, auch sind frei (all, all, also are free).[1]

A number of variations exist. "Ollyoxalls" is one such variant, said to be used in Portsmouth, England.[3] Another variant is "Ollie Ollie in come free."[4]

In literature and the arts

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Tukey, Paul Boardway; Rowell, Victoria (2012). Tag, Toss & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games. Storey Pub. pp. 13–. ISBN 9781603425605. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  2. [2]
    Cassidy, Frederick Gome; and Joan Hall, "Ole Ole Olson All In Free", another way of saying it is oll-e oll-e ox-and-free Dictionary of American Regional English, (1985) Vol III (I-O), p. 874.
  3. [3]
    Opie, Iona and Peter. Lore and Language of Schoolchildren. Oxford: Clarendon, 1959 p.143
  4. [4]
    Tabler, Dave (June 8, 2010). "Ollie Ollie In Come Free!". appalachianhistory.net. Dave Tabler. Archived from the original on 2010-06-18. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  5. [5]
    Macfarlane, Malcolm; Crossland, Ken (2012-05-10). Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record. McFarland. p. 26. ISBN 9781476600246. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  6. [6]
    "VGMdb – Imaginarium: Songs from the Neverhood". Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  7. [7]
    "Oliolioxinfree, by Sworn In". Genius. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  8. [8]
    "Piano Is Evil, by Amanda Palmer". Amanda Palmer. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
  9. [9]
    Mann, William J. (2006-10-03). Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn. Henry Holt and Company. pp. 487–. ISBN 9780805076257. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  10. [10]
    "Night School Studio Oxenfree | Night School Studio". nightschoolstudio.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  11. [11]
    "Peanuts by Charles Schulz for October 03, 1955". GoComics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  12. [12]
    Masley, Ed (June 16, 2021). "How Mesa punk veterans Authority Zero want to offer fans 'hope at the end of the tunnel'". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  13. [13]
    "Bugs Bunny: Lost In Time Cheats & Codes for PlayStation (PSX)". CheatCodes.com. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  14. [14]
    "LEMON DEMON, DAMN SKIPPY". www.lemondemon.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  15. [15]
    Falling in Reverse – Bad Girls Club, retrieved 2024-04-13
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