Wikipedia says that Keep Away is the same as Monkey in the Middle.

[conuly]

But that doesn't make much sense to me. As far as I've ever used it, Keep Away is bullying, and Monkey in the Middle is more of an organized game with three people, where (hopefully) everybody is evenly matched and the monkey keeps switching around, and all three got together and said "Hey, let's play Monkey in the Middle!" and counted out who'd be it first and whatever. (Plus, Monkey in the Middle is limited to three people, and Keep Away isn't, you know?)

What say you?

Comments

[ncp.livejournal.com]

Well, a Martian would not be able to tell the difference between the two; the "rules" (such as they are) are the same -- keep the object away from one of the people. But you're right that the intent is what makes all the difference. It's very easy for a game of "Monkey in the Middle" to become "Keep Away" if the "monkey" is smaller/not well-liked by the other two.

[conuly]

In which case the Monkey ought to know better than to agree to play a game with them.

[leora.livejournal.com]

I have never seen a game of Monkey in the Middle where the "monkey" was asked their consent first.

[amomandagirl.livejournal.com]

My experience as well.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

Which is why I spent so much time on my own as a child.

(I played keepaway--in the game-with-a-ball-and-two-other-players-sense--once. Once was enough.)

[griffen.livejournal.com]

Same game. Both are bullying games. No difference.

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

I agree - at least in how it applies to where I live. Keepaway is bullying and 'played' with something belonging to the victim. Monkey in the Middle is played willingly with a ball, and when the person in the middle catches it, s/he switches with the person on the end who threw it.

[l33tminion]

Mechanically they're similar games. "Monkey in the Middle" restricts the number and approximate formation of the players. But either can be used as bullying, especially if the contested object is stolen from the poor sap stuck "playing monkey" before the "game" begins.

[barnhengemama.livejournal.com]

I understand it the same way as you. You have to have a 'middle' to play monkey in the middle and usually everyone is a willing participant.

Keep Away happens when your brother steals your diary and gives it to the half dozen boys in the neighborhood, who proceed to throw it to each other around you until you bean one of them in the head with a rock.

[conuly]

Which one? Because if it's your brother, good call!

[barnhengemama.livejournal.com]

No so lucky. Actually it was the boy on whom I had a crush - as detailed in said diary and the reason I was so frantic from it getting into his hands. :)

Interestingly enough, he found out anyway, was very gracious about it (as much as a 13 year old can be) and ended up being one of my best friends. He later married my other best friend.

[sparkofcreation.livejournal.com]

I agree except that Monkey in the Middle can indeed be played with more people (I'd say the max is 4-6 though) in which case everyone but the Monkey stands in a smallish circle and the Monkey runs/lunges around inside that circle.

Plus the "being played with a ball" and "being played with a personal possession of the victim's" mentioned above.

[(Anonymous)]

Well, a Martian would not be able to tell the difference between the two; the "rules" (such as they are) are the same -- keep the object away from one of the people. But you're right that the intent is what makes all the difference. It's very easy for a game of "Monkey in the Middle" to become "Keep Away" if the "monkey" is smaller/not well-liked by the other two.

[conuly]

In which case the Monkey ought to know better than to agree to play a game with them.

[leora.livejournal.com]

I have never seen a game of Monkey in the Middle where the "monkey" was asked their consent first.

[amomandagirl.livejournal.com]

My experience as well.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

Which is why I spent so much time on my own as a child.

(I played keepaway--in the game-with-a-ball-and-two-other-players-sense--once. Once was enough.)

[griffen.livejournal.com]

Same game. Both are bullying games. No difference.

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

I agree - at least in how it applies to where I live. Keepaway is bullying and 'played' with something belonging to the victim. Monkey in the Middle is played willingly with a ball, and when the person in the middle catches it, s/he switches with the person on the end who threw it.

[l33tminion]

Mechanically they're similar games. "Monkey in the Middle" restricts the number and approximate formation of the players. But either can be used as bullying, especially if the contested object is stolen from the poor sap stuck "playing monkey" before the "game" begins.

[barnhengemama.livejournal.com]

I understand it the same way as you. You have to have a 'middle' to play monkey in the middle and usually everyone is a willing participant.

Keep Away happens when your brother steals your diary and gives it to the half dozen boys in the neighborhood, who proceed to throw it to each other around you until you bean one of them in the head with a rock.

[conuly]

Which one? Because if it's your brother, good call!

[barnhengemama.livejournal.com]

No so lucky. Actually it was the boy on whom I had a crush - as detailed in said diary and the reason I was so frantic from it getting into his hands. :)

Interestingly enough, he found out anyway, was very gracious about it (as much as a 13 year old can be) and ended up being one of my best friends. He later married my other best friend.

[sparkofcreation.livejournal.com]

I agree except that Monkey in the Middle can indeed be played with more people (I'd say the max is 4-6 though) in which case everyone but the Monkey stands in a smallish circle and the Monkey runs/lunges around inside that circle.

Plus the "being played with a ball" and "being played with a personal possession of the victim's" mentioned above.