I've got your nose

Description

To play I've Got Your Nose, the first person forms a fist, and puts the knuckles of the index and middle fingers on either side of a child's nose. The fist is then withdrawn from the child's face with the thumb of the "thief" protruding between the index and middle fingers; the thumb represents the stolen nose. This motion is often accompanied by an exclamation such as "I've got your nose!"

The child may chase the nose thief to retrieve their nose or may retaliate by stealing the first person's (or someone else's) nose. The "nose" may then be replaced by pressing the thumb to the child's nose and withdrawing the hand, showing the child that the taker no longer possesses the child's nose.

Characteristics

This game is commonly played between children, as well as between adults (e.g., parents, grandparents, uncles) and their young relatives. Young children to the age of 2 or 3 often find the game amusing. Cognitively, this is because three-year-olds have trouble recognizing that a thing may look like one thing yet be another, whereas four-year-olds are twice as likely to have that ability. The game is an example of teaching pro-social lying or playful deception to children.

This game is found mainly in the English-speaking world, but also exists elsewhere. For instance in France, it is known as "Je t'ai volé/piqué ton nez!" (I stole your nose).

Cultural specificity

In certain cultures, such as in Korea, Central America, Japan, and Turkey displaying the "got your nose" hand position may be seen as vulgar or otherwise impolite. Observers of the game from these cultures can be shocked to see the gesture used in a children's game.

Miscellaneous

The "got your nose" hand position may be used in Thai yoga massage to protect the tendons of the thumbs.

In popular culture