Gourt Home::Gourt :: Cloved lemon kissing game
Using a cloved lemon in the Cloved Lemon Kissing Game has uncertain origins. It may have been inspired by Medieval kissing games, but is probably an invention of the 20th Century. The game is played by members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), Discordians, Harmonians, and others.
Preparation
Before the game, which is almost more of an activity than a game, cloves are inserted into a lemon or occasionally other fruit. A lemon is usually used because the sour fruit is associated with puckering. Sometimes the cloves make a pattern, but this is not necessary. The cloved lemon usually stays fresher if the cloves are applied shortly before the game begins, although the cloved lemon may be refrigerated for a few hours.
Event
The game is often played during a feast or meal, party (called a "revel" in the SCA), overnight group camping event, slumber party/co-ed sleepover, or other get-together. The game usually happens while other activites are also occurring. Discordians and Harmonians sometimes play the game while in a hot tub, in which case a recepticle is usually kept by the tub to dispose of the used cloves.
Game rules
One person, "the giver," hands the cloved lemon to another, "the recipient." In some groups, the cloved lemon may be politely declined; in others, it may not.
If the intended recipient accepts the lemon, he or she takes out a clove, typically with the teeth. The idea is that the clove freshens the breath. Some recipients, especially ones who don't like the taste of cloves, might take it out with a hand. The clove is usually disposed of, but is sometimes swallowed.
The recipient then offers a body part to be kissed--typically this will be the hand, cheek, lips, or whole mouth (for a tongue kiss). The recipient might indicate the hand by holding it out to the cloved lemon giver, or offer a cheek by turning it toward the giver or pointing to it, etc. While the degree of the kiss is primarily determined by the recipient, in practice it's mutually agreed upon. The giver is expected to be gracious, even if the degree of kiss is less than desired.
When the kiss is completed, the recipient now becomes the giver, and the activity is repeated, typically until the lemon runs out of cloves. In some groups, offering and accepting the last clove indicates a higher level of intimacy, but this is not universal.
See also
Sources
- The Known World Handbook (3rd ed.). Milpitas, CA: Society For Creative Anachronism, Inc.
- Ek-sen-trik-kuh Discordia: The Tales of Shamlicht and Principia Harmonia
- Society for Creative Anachronism
"Cloved lemon kissing game"