History

Mumble Peg has gone by many names over time. Commonly called Mumbley Peg, Mumblety Peg or Mumbly Peg. It was an extremely popular game of skill played with pocket knives in the 19th century  that is still enjoyed today. It is reminiscent of a simpler time when all men and boys carried knives.  It’s earliest reference is back in the 17th century. More recently in Mark Twain’s book Tom Sawyer, Detective published in 1896 the game mumblety peg is mentioned in the first chapter. Historically, It was commonly played by cowboys, soldiers, kids in summer camps and in school yards, back when it was ok to carry a knife in school. It is also seen being played in the popular western series Lonesome Dove. The term Mumble or some variation of mumble is used in the name because the loser mumbles under his breath at the winners as he “roots the peg”. Which means pulling a wooden peg driven into the dirt by the winner(s) with his teeth. Although there are as many variations of playing the game as there are names for it, here are the rules we have compiled that include the most common challenges while excluding a few of the more dangerous ones. Our goal is preserving this piece of our past so it can be enjoyed by future generations of boys, girls, men and women.