This warning cry must be called before each and every
shot of a Rat Puck round. Since Rat Puck is often played
where there are crowds of people this cry is required so as
to give fair warning to those who may be in danger of being
struck by a rat. To forego the cry of "Cheese!" is
a "Stroke penalty!"
This is usually called out in a loud voice to help move
gentles and others out of the path of the rats that are
about to be pucked right through where everyone is standing
or milling about. Usually the puckers who are to puck off
last will call this out and move through the crowd alerting
them to the fact that they risk bodily harm from high
velocity rats if they do not move to the side.
- "The safest place is in the shops!"
This is sometimes used to suggest a safe place for
gentles to stand while Rat Puckin' is going on around them.
At the same time it keeps us puckers in the good graces of
the shopkeeps.
Usually hollered out after pucking your rat if it is in
danger of being touched or picked up by a gentle, for this
would result in a "Stroke penalty!"
- "We don't play with your vermin, don't play with ours!"
This colourful phrase is used as an explanation as to why
gentles should "Touch not the rat!"
Puckers usually call out this one when another pucker has
done something that results in them being assessed a stroke
penalty. Examples include a rat being touched by a gentle,
the pucker not calling out the call of "Cheese!"
appropriately, etc.
Often used to razz a pucker who's last shot was so poor
that their rat is still the farthest from the target. This
often times follows after a pucker has a Mis-Puck, has
Pucked-Up, or has Pucked Prematurely.
This one is called out in good humour when another pucker
hits a tree with his rat causing his shot to come up short
of his intended target.
A favorite saying of Friar Beasley's.
Another favorite saying of Friar Beasley's.
This saying is used to calm a pucker who is upset about
his most recent shot and who is acting in an un-gentlemanly
manner. It is a reminder that Rat Puck is a gentleman's
game.
- "While Elizabeth is still Queen!"
Used to harangue a pucker who is taking an inordinantly
long time to address his rat.
Often times calling out this phrase causes those around
you to look about trying to locate the presence of the
Queen. Sometimes used to distract other rat puckers while
you try to improve the lie of your rat without them
noticing.
Said as advice from one pucker to another who has just
Mis-Pucked, Pucked-Up, or Pucked Prematurely.
Often used as advice to a pucker who is having great
difficulty on a particular hole since nine is the highest
score allowed on any one hole.
Used to call all of the rat puckers together after a
round is finished. All of the rat puckers gather close
together, hold their rats high in the air and call together
in one great voice...
"And now we call the call we call so well,
Puck we must! Puckus Sumare! To the ale house!
Huzzah!"
This phrase is used to express admiration at the good
shot by another pucker.
Traditional faire-speak for, "Hurray!" It is
often used to congratulate a fellow pucker on a particularly
nice shot.
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