Imagine this:

You're sitting in the car, on your way someplace. You could be a child. An adult. Or some age in between. You could be going to the store or a scheduled road trip. You're literally minding your own business bopping to one of your fave tunes, maybe this jawn:

Envy McKee,Canva
Envy McKee,Canva
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And then out of seemingly nowhere, whoever you're sitting close to-- a parent, a child, sibling or someone random you picked up via Uber-- punches you and screams a color at you like your natural fight or flight reflexes care about colors.

via GIPHY

 

The game is called "Punch Buggy" and I am positive it is the origins of road rage, "fluke accidents" and friend disappearances.

According to the "reputable" random factoid resource Wikipedia:

Punch buggy (also called slug bug or punch dub) is a car-spotting game where players seek Volkswagen Beetles, calling "Punch buggy!" when they do so, in reference to the Beetle's nickname, the Bug. Once a car has been spotted and called out it cannot be used by another player. The game can be played for points: spotting a Beetle earns the player a point, but making an incorrect call means that they lose a point. (what's missing here is the punch, Thanks Wikipedia)

The color of the Beetle is sometimes stated when it is called.

In some versions, a player must shout "No punch backs!" after each call. If they forget to do so, they may be immediately punched back by the player that they punched.

 

Like, WTF? What kind of meanie makes up a game that starts and ends in violence? But make it about one of cutest, sweetest cars in the world? It turns out, some meanie named Sluggy Patterson is such a meanie. Serious.

So. Now that you know the origins of this ancient car ride game, a word of advice. Just, NO. Sing a song instead.

attachment-NO Punch Bug
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An Amazing 100-Mile Road Trip From Canandaigua to Cazenovia!

Having driven thousands of miles writing and researching more than a dozen top Upstate New York travel books, people ask me if I have a favorite areas to visit? This gallery takes a look at that area. The cities, villages, and hamlets that line up like a string of pearls from Canandaigua to Cazenovia, mostly along the northern tips of the Finger Lakes, are a real favorite location for me. It is about a 100 mile trip, and it is filled with history, beauty, great food, and wonderful people. Come along and take the journey with me. Here are 21 places found in 7 different communities along the road that I like to stop at. Have you been to any of these places? They are some of my favorite restaurants, museums, taverns, and historical sites along the way. And some, well, they are just fun!

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Take A Look At These Cars and See Why the #1 Auto Museum in the Northeast is in Central New York. Wow!

For this writer's money, the single best automobile museum in the Northeast is in the small, rural city of Norwich, NY, population 7,000, in Chenango County. With more than 200 absolutely magnificent cars and trucks from all eras on display in several buildings, this is a must-see bucket list stop for lovers of classic cars. The museum is jaw-dropping. Take a look at this selection of 18 cars that are currently on display at the museum. You had one of these, didn't you? Yes, I thought so! Visit the Northeast Classic Car Museum today!

 

 

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