Comment by kaffekaka

9 hours ago

Plockepinn in Swedish, approximately "pickastick".

Edit: thought I read it was of Scandinavian origin, hence my comment. But Wikipedia said european origin. Well well.

2 comments

kaffekaka

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bee_rider  6 hours ago

I suspect it was invented the first time a parent dropped a pile of sticks because their bored kids were distracting them. “Ok kids, new game, pick those sticks up as quietly and tediously as possible.”

quesera  7 hours ago

In the US, it was a game called "pick up sticks", and it was tedious and sometimes impossible.

So, this method is well-named at least! :)