Ants in the Pants
Encyclopedia
Ants in the Pants is a children's tabletop game
. The object of the game is to spring as many of your 'ants' as possible into the 'pants'. The game shares similarities with Tiddlywinks
.
Components consist of a free-standing pair of miniature, usually plastic, pants and several plastic ants. The ants are color code
d - each player
uses one color of ants - and designed so that pressing the tail stores elastic potential energy. When the tail is pressed and released, the ants spring into the air. Some versions include cardboard characters which serve as backboards deflecting the ants into the pants. Plastic
suspenders
(or braces) are another common element, which serve as obstacles.
Created by insect-theme game designer William H. Schaper, Ants in the Pants was originally published by his W.H. Schaper Mfg. Co., Inc.
in 1969. In 1986, what was then known as Schaper Toys of Kusan Inc. was acquired by Tyco Toys
, and, in the deal, Tyco sold the rights to four Schaper games (including Cootie
and Ants in the Pants) to Hasbro
's Milton Bradley division which currently manufactures the game.
The name derives from an idiom
atic English
metaphor
which asserts that nervous, fidgety people must have "ants in their pants
." The English word "antsy" (meaning nervous) also derives from this metaphor
.
This game was referenced in the South Park
episode "Damien"
, in which Cartman received the game as a gift instead of the toy he wanted, and threw a tantrum.
Game
A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements...
. The object of the game is to spring as many of your 'ants' as possible into the 'pants'. The game shares similarities with Tiddlywinks
Tiddlywinks
Tiddlywinks is an indoor game played on a flat mat with sets of small discs called "winks", a pot and a collection of squidgers. Players use a "squidger", a disk usually made from plastic to move a wink into flight by pressing down on one side of the wink...
.
Components consist of a free-standing pair of miniature, usually plastic, pants and several plastic ants. The ants are color code
Color code
A color code is a system for displaying information by using different colors. Color codes are often difficult for color blind and blind people to interpret....
d - each player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
uses one color of ants - and designed so that pressing the tail stores elastic potential energy. When the tail is pressed and released, the ants spring into the air. Some versions include cardboard characters which serve as backboards deflecting the ants into the pants. Plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
suspenders
Suspenders
Suspenders or braces are fabric or leather straps worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers. Straps may be elasticated, either entirely or only at attachment ends and most straps are of woven cloth forming an X or Y shape at the back. Braces are typically attached to trousers with buttons...
(or braces) are another common element, which serve as obstacles.
Created by insect-theme game designer William H. Schaper, Ants in the Pants was originally published by his W.H. Schaper Mfg. Co., Inc.
Schaper Toys
Schaper Toys, or W.H. Schaper Mfg. Co., Inc. as it was originally known, was a game and toy company founded in 1949 by William Herbert Schaper in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Herb" Schaper published a variety of games but was best known for having created the children's game, Cootie. Through the 1970s...
in 1969. In 1986, what was then known as Schaper Toys of Kusan Inc. was acquired by Tyco Toys
Tyco Toys
Tyco Toys is an American toy manufacturer. Since 1997 it has been a division of the Mattel toy company.-History:Mantua Metal Products was a Woodbury Heights, New Jersey, metalworks business founded in 1926 by John Tyler and family...
, and, in the deal, Tyco sold the rights to four Schaper games (including Cootie
Cootie (game)
The Game of Cootie is a children's roll-and-move tabletop game for two to four players. The object is to be the first to build a three dimensional bug-like object called a "cootie" from a variety of plastic body parts. Created by William Schaper in 1948, the game was launched in 1949 and sold...
and Ants in the Pants) to Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
's Milton Bradley division which currently manufactures the game.
The name derives from an idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
atic English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
which asserts that nervous, fidgety people must have "ants in their pants
Underpants
-Boxer shorts:Boxer shorts, or simply boxers, have an elasticated waistband that is at or near the wearer's waist, while the leg sections are fairly loose and extend to the mid-thigh. There is usually a fly, either with or without buttons...
." The English word "antsy" (meaning nervous) also derives from this metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
.
This game was referenced in the South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
episode "Damien"
Damien (South Park episode)
"Damien" is the eighth episode of the first season of the animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on February 4, 1998. In the episode, the boys' class is joined by a new student named Damien, who has been sent by his father Satan to find...
, in which Cartman received the game as a gift instead of the toy he wanted, and threw a tantrum.
External links
- Ants in the Pants Retroland
- Ants in the Pants Hasbro