Doorknob is a game in which participants are supposed to say "safety" after they flatuate before other participants say "
doorknob". This is known as "calling
doorknob". If other participants call doorknob before the flatulater calls safety, then the non-flatuting participants are encouraged to physically assault the flatulater until he or she touches a doorknob. The game is generally assumed to be continuously active, and participants are frequently forced into the game unexpectedly, even against their will.
Rules of safety game
When an individual flatuates, he or she must say the word "safety" in a clear tone so as to be heard by those around him.
If the individual fails to say "safety", participants may say the word "
doorknob".
At that
time, participants may physically punish the individual who flatuated.
The individual must immediately seek a
doorknob 1 and touch it. Once the individual touches said
doorknob, the beating must cease.
Variations
Many variations exist when doorknobs are either not accessible, or too accessible. A common variation is to replace the
doorknob with something that the participants consider undesirable to touch, or something that is impossible, or nearly so, to touch.
Footnotes
^ In strict canon, only a true doorknob is eligible for play. However, in many social circles, house rules have been developed to allow the use of latches, handles, and other devices depending on the general availability of true knobs.
