Simon Says is a game for 3 or more people (most often children). One of the people is 'it', AKA Simon. The others must do what Simon tells them to do. The catch is, the magic phrase is "Simon says". If Simon says "Simon says jump", you jump (if you don't jump, you're out). If Simon says "jump", you don't jump (if you do jump, you're out). In general, it's the spirit of the command, not the actions that matters; if Simon says "Simon says touch you toes", you only have to show you're trying to touch your toes. It's the ability to distinguish between valid and invalid demands, rather than physically ability, that matters here.

It is Simon's task to try to get everyone out as quickly as possible, and it is every one else's job to stay 'in' for as long as possible. The last of Simon's followers to stay in wins (although the game is not always played all the way through). Until you try it, you can't understand how hard this can be.

Some closely related games are Mother May I? (AKA Captain May I? ) and Ship Captain (AKA Port and Starboard ).

Simon Says is a classic 1980s game more popularly known as Simon. It is a circular electronic game featuring four coloured quadrants. The game will flash quadrants in turn and expect you to repeat the sequence. If you get the sequence correct the game will respond with a longer sequence.

The game Simon Says also appears in the Movie Die Hard: With a Vengeance.

- Who is this?

- Call me Simon.

- What do you want?

- I want to play a game.

- What kind of game?

- Simon says. Simon's going to tell McClane what to do... and Lieutenant McClane is going to do it. Noncompliance will result in a penalty.

- What penalty?

- Another big bang in a very public place.

External links

• Simon Play the 1980s Simon game free online
• Party rules for Simon Says