spillikins

British  

/ ˈspɪlɪkɪnz /

noun

1. Also called: jackstraws.  (functioning as singular) a game in which players try to pick each spillikin from a heap without moving any of the others

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Etymology

Origin of spillikins

C18: from _spill ² + diminutive ending. See _-kin

Example Sentences

And on the floor nearby is a heap of maulsticks arranged like spillikins, or pick-up sticks – remove one and the whole circle would be disturbed.

From The Guardian • May 19, 2012

"Hammett gave murder back to the people who commit it," said Chandler, who found the details of British mysteries as unexciting as "spillikins in the parlor."

From Time Magazine Archive

Mrs. Leyburn's mind was just now playing the part of spillikins, and the vicar's wife was shaking it vigorously, though with occasional qualms as to the lawfulness of the process.

From Robert Elsmere by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

And anon, when his victim had steeled himself against this method, he could extract another five-pound note from his little hoard with the delicacy of one playing spillikins.

From The Man Upstairs and Other Stories by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

Weymouth, a hundred and eighty years ago, was about as symmetrical as a game of spillikins in confusion.

From The Man Who Laughs by Hugo, Victor