Page 41 - May1990

MAY I99O N,\TNONAN, BUI|TON BUN,N,ETIN 87

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
When I asked for help in identifying the origin of the phrases "Cute as a button"
and "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button," I had no idea what a terrific response I
would get. Many of you wrote about how you played "Button, button" as a child.
Many reminisced about other button games you played in your youth. With slight
variations, the game of "Button, button" was pretty universal. I have thoroughly
enjoyed all the letters-walking down memory lane. Only two of you attempted to find
out where the expression "Cute as a button" came from. One of you sent a paragraph
on the phrase "Bright as a button" believing that the "cute" saying had its origin in
that.
Only one member, Wilda Gould of Michigan, actually found a reference to the
phrase "Cute as a button" in a book. Her reply follows:

CUTE AS A BUTTON
Cute, charming, attractive, almost always with the connatiou of being small, 1868
(from the original 173 I English meaning of "acute" or clever). Cute as a bug's ear,
I 930; cute as a bug in a rug, 19421' Cute as a button, I 946. Cute and keen were two of the
most overused slang words of the late 1920's and the 1930's.
Source Book: Listening to America by Stuart Berg Flexon-Published in 1982.

BUTTON, BUTTON, WHO'S GOT THE BUTTON?
This is a children's game. The children sit in a circle with one player standing in the
center. The player in the center asks-"Button, button, who has the button?" The rest
of the children, holding their hands in front, immediately start making passing
motions back and forth. One of them does have the button, and passes it on. The
center player tries to guess who has the button and must guess until he does name the
person with the button. When he guesses, the player has to take his place in the center
and the game continues as before.
Source Book: The Fun Encyclopedia by E.O. Harbin

There is another pastime using a button. This is something my older brother used
to do. It requires a strong string about 43 inches long, and a large two hole button
which is aleast lYz inches in diameter. Take one end of the string, push down thru one
hole and up through the other. Tie both ends ofthe string in a knot. Position the tied
ends as a loop across the fingers ofthe left hand. Position the button in the center ofthe
string. Looptheotherendof thedoublestringoverthefingersof therighthand. Hold
the string loosely, and with the right hand twirl the button away from you, (in other
words you are winding it up). Now with a quick motion move both hands apart as far
as they will go, and just as quickly move them slightly together. Continue to move the
hands apart, and gently move both hands slightly together. The button will wind itself,
and rewind itself endlessly with just a slight motion of the hands. It also makes a "zip,
zip, zip" sound as it goes.
Some boys used to use this button trick on the outsides of windows at Halloween
time. The button would have to touch the window, and makes a scraping sound as it
goes. It doesnt harm the glass. (Submitted by Wilda Gould.)
They say that intelligence is not knowing everything, but knowing where to find
everything. Thanks to all of you for helping me in this effort. I am truly appreciative of
your efforts.
-"/s