Balderdash

Balderdash

A clever repackaging of the parlor game Dictionary, Balderdash contains several cards with real words nobody has heard of. After one of those words has been read aloud, players try to come up with definitions that at least sound plausible, because points are later awarded for every opposing player who guessed that your definition was the correct one.

Versions of the game actually called The Dictionary Game go back at least as far as 1971, although Balderdash itself was not published until 1984.

Mattel republished Balderdash in 2006 in a form that derives its gameplay from the sequel Beyond Balderdash.

Re-implemented by:

Beyond Balderdash / Absolute Balderdash

BoardGameGeek Info

Publisher
Parker Brothers
Published in
1984
My Rating
5.0
BGG Rating
6.17
BGG Rank
2123
Players
2-6
Ages
12+
Duration
1:00
Complexity
1.4035 / 5
Eager to Play
No
Plays
1
Last Played
December 31, 2007
Time Spent
1:00

The central mechanic of this game is to make up a plausible definition of a given word, hoping to gain votes, and then identifying (by voting) for the real definition. The game radically changes based on the group playing the game, and requires a certain amount of creativity and ability to write in the voice of a dictionary to really be successful. The game has the potential to favor wild guesses rather than good definition writing if people are unwilling to vote for a definition already voted on.

One play

  • December 31, 2007