While trying to come up with a creative definition for the word “hippiater”(which happens to be another name for a horse doctor), it hit me like a ton of bricks. Why not have an HVACR version of the game Balderdash?

Really. Why not?

Over the next few days, I hope to get an answer from Parker Brothers and Hasbro. I’m trying to sell the makers of board and card games one more board game to mass produce. After all, if Gameworks Creations Inc. can manufacture Balderdash and Beyond Balderdash, it could produce HVACR Balderdash.

Be on the lookout for it — provided Hasbro (or whomever) bites at the idea.

BLUFF AWAY

Many of you may not have a clue as to what Balderdash is. On the cover of the box containing the game, it states: “The Classic Bluffing Game.” That sums it up.

In fact, players are not expected to know the real answers to any of the words in the game. The main objective is to make up answers that will deceive the other players. Points are awarded for fooling other players, as well as for choosing the real answer.

For instance, do you know what “flews” means? Is it:

A. A type of bird from Ecuador?

B.Dental floss made of bird feathers?

C.The pendulous or overhanging lateral parts of the upper lip of certain dogs?

D.If you have already flown, then this is what you’ve done?

E.A real loser?

Yes, while playing Balderdash over the Thanksgiving holidays with family and friends, certain Skaer brothers and sisters produced the above answers.

(The real answer, by the way, is “C.”)

Perhaps Beyond Balderdash might be your game. In this version, there are five categories to choose from: words, people, movies, initials, and dates. That doesn’t make the game any easier, however.

For instance, do the initials “D.W.M.C.” stand for:

A. Discount Warehouse Microphone Company?

B. Detroit-Windsor Minority Coalition?

C. 1980s rap star who didn’t make it?

D. Dedicated Wooden Money Collectors? Or

E. Driving While Making Connection?

(What is hard to believe is that “D” is the correct answer!)

So, do you get the picture? Now, just imagine some of the questions that can be placed on HVACR Balderdash. (I certainly have.)

Under the heading “people,” we could place, among other industry pioneers, Willis Carrier. Do people know who he is? He could have been the creator of the household socket or the throwaway diaper, as far as many people know.

That’s why this game should be created. With HVACR Balderdash, the industry — at least in a small way — would be in the eyes of the general public. The general public, in turn, would learn more about heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration — and that would be a good thing.

So, if you have any pull at Parker Brothers, Hasbro, or Gameworks Creations Inc., give me a call. I’m not bluffing. Honest.

Mark Skaer is editor-in-chief. He can be reached at 248-244-6446; 248-362-0317 (fax); markskaer@achrnews.com (e-mail).

Publication date: 12/09/2002