Friday, October 30, 2026

Spill and Spell

I apologize for the late post today. I've been embroiled in a decorating dilemma this past week (more on that later).


It's Halloween Eve and today's item is a non-Halloween item, but could certainly be used as one. And to demonstrate how my brain thinks Halloween all the time, I honestly thought it was Halloween-related or at least Halloween adjacent.

When I first saw the orange and black cup with the words "Spill and Spell" and dice within, I thought it was some kind of watered down and commercialized game version of Osteomancy or Cleromancy much like Spirit Boards were marketed to kids as "Ouija".

My thought was, you pour the dice out and rearrange the letters to cast a spell on your enemies.  For example:


Given that, you might turn someone into a..


Other spells might give someone a...


Or maybe go after their crops with a...


Or give them a classic case of...


Or a...


Or worst of all, the dreaded...

(Okay, I only got one "o" in the roll so had to improvise)

As it turns out, this is simply a 1950's family game that involves spelling words in a grid pattern, similar to Scrabble. I like my version better.  I found the complete game on eBay.

courtesy eBay

The game was created by Phillips Publishers of Newton (wait...there's a "Newt" in that... Maybe I was on to something..."), Massachusetts.  They were in the business of board games and puzzles from the 1950's through the mid 1970's. I didn't recognize any of their other games.

Now it's your turn, what could you cast from these rolls?




When you're done with that, cast yourself over to the Countdown to Halloween for some last minute tricks and/or treats. Time's running out!

5 comments:

  1. I agree - your game is better.

    LITCH
    DIRT
    HANDS

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like you version, and it sounds like it could be a horror movie, with kids spelling things that then come true in the real world.

    Anyway, that is a great game and quite the find!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it, Joe. Kids are just playing around and suddenly notice people are falling victim to the things they're spelling. Is one of them a witch? Find out!

      Delete
  3. The spells I would like to cast are big itch, dim wart and manky nuts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All excellent choices, Lady M! I've had a case of the manky nuts before, I don't wish it on anyone.

      Delete

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