Brits divided over name of game where kids knock on door and run away

Before the days of social media and online gaming, the way kids would entertain themselves were much simpler. Perhaps more annoying for the residents of their street, but simpler nonetheless.

It was the height of hilarity to knock on somebody's door, and before they could answer it - run away.

This would cause confusion for the person whose door was knocked on, but would make the kids who'd done it roar with laughter.

As people grew up and other things took priority, these childhood favourite games fell out of fashion, often in favour of other activities children participate in nowadays, such as video games.

And it turns out that many of us have different names for this childhood pastime, ranging from the most common we may recognise, to some we think people might have made up.

One Twitter user asked: "When you were younger what did you call it when you knock on someone's door and run away?"

Giving the most obvious and no-frills answer, someone responded saying: "Knock a door run", whilst others were determined the game was called "Knock Down Ginger."

But some people, however, referred to the game by very different names, including "Chickenelly," which apparently is used in some parts of Scotland.

One person claimed they called it: "Knock granny out of bed", whilst another from Sunderland, said: "We called it Knocky Nine Doors."

One well-travelled Brit added: "Growing up initially in the North we called it 'knock-a-door-run', pretty much does what it says on the tin.

"Then spent [the] latter part of my childhood in the south and for reasons which continue to bewilder me it was called 'knock-down-ginger'. Makes absolutely no sense."

As if the discrepancy in the UK wasn't enough, apparently in America they refer to it as "Ding, Dong, Ditch."

In South Africa, one person explained they call it "Tok-tokkie," which originates from a local beetle that taps the ground.

So the most reasonable conclusion is that there isn't one 'correct' answer after all, and nobody can decide.

What do you call it? Let us know in the comments.