Aunt Sally
Plural
Aunt Sallies
1
a traditional English game where players try to knock a doll named "Aunt Sally" off a stand by throwing sticks or balls
Aunt Sally is a traditional pub game from England that dates back to the 17th century and was originally played at fairs. The game involves throwing wooden sticks, called "dolls," at a wooden peg, known as "the dolly," which is placed on a stand. The aim is to knock the dolly off without hitting the stand. Each successful hit scores a point, and players take turns to compete. Aunt Sally requires skill, precision, and practice to master the throws. It remains a popular social game in some regions.
- We played Aunt Sally at the village fair last weekend and had a great time.
- I finally knocked the dolly off the stand in Aunt Sally after a few tries.
- Have you ever tried Aunt Sally?It is a fun game for a group of friends.
- Aunt Sally was one of the main attractions at the festival this year.
- The pub had an old-fashioned Aunt Sally set up outside for people to enjoy.
2
an imaginary person or thing often criticized or blamed in discussions or arguments
- In the office banter, coworkers affectionately referred to the outdated coffee machine as "Aunt Sally," jokingly blaming it for their caffeine-related woes.
- In the meeting, Sarah mentioned "Aunt Sally" to symbolize a hypothetical customer unhappy with the proposed changes, stressing the importance of addressing possible concerns.