Poetry for Neanderthals: Word List, Clue Example and Drinking Game

Ever imagined speaking like a caveman to win a game? Meet Poetry for Neanderthals, a laugh-out-loud party game where fewer syllables mean more fun! Whether you’re looking to spice up family game night or entertain a group of friends, this hilarious word-guessing game is the perfect choice.

How to Play Poetry for Neanderthals

Poetry for Neanderthals is a word-guessing game crafted by Exploding Kittens, that challenges players to describe words and phrases using only single-syllable words. If you slip up and use a multi-syllable word, prepare to be bopped with a two-foot inflatable “No!” stick, and your team will lose points.

Poetry for Neanderthals Game Rules

1. Setup the Game:
   • Divide players into two teams.
   • Shuffle the deck of cards and place them face-down.
   • Designate one player as the clue-giver for each round.
   • Set the timer (included in the game) to 90 seconds.
   • Have an opponent stand ready with the “No!” stick.
2. Gameplay Rules:
   • The clue-giver picks a card with two options: an easy word (worth 1 point) or a harder word (worth 3 points).
   • Use single-syllable words only to describe the chosen word or phrase.
   • If the clue-giver accidentally says a multi-syllable word, the opposing team uses the inflatable “No!” stick to bop them on the head and deduct points.
3. Scoring:
   • Points are awarded for every correct guess within the time limit.
   • The team with the highest score at the end of all rounds wins the game.
4. End of the Round:
   • Rotate the role of clue-giver to ensure everyone gets a turn.

Key Features Highlight

• Play involves hilarious “caveman speak,” encouraging creativity and laughter.
• The inflatable “No!” stick adds a playful element of chaos and comedy.
• Each session lasts about 15–20 minutes, making it a quick and fun game for parties or family nights.

Winning Strategies for Maximum Fun

• Focus on visualization: paint a picture with your clues.
• Stick to familiar words and avoid overcomplicating your hints.
• Embrace the silliness—it’s a game about having fun, not perfection!

Poetry for Neanderthals Word List

Looking to personalize the fun? Create your own word cards! Use themes like holidays, movies, or inside jokes to add a personal twist. The possibilities are endless!

What Are Single-Syllable Words?

Single-syllable words are words with only one unit of sound or beat when spoken aloud. For example, “cat,” “dog,” and “run” are single-syllable words, while “apple” and “jumping” are not.

In the game Poetry for Neanderthals, single-syllable words are essential for giving clues. Breaking this rule by using multi-syllable words leads to penalty bops with the “No!” stick!

How to Use Single-Syllable Words in Clues

When giving clues, you must creatively use these words to describe the word on your card. For example:

• Word on Card: “Sunshine”
  Clue: “Big light in sky.”
• Word on Card: “Basketball”
  Clue: “Game with ball. Put ball in hoop.”

Poetry for Neanderthals Clue Examples

Everyday Objects

• Rock: Hard thing. On ground. No move.
• Cup: Small thing. Hold drink.
• Pen: Tool. Write words. In hand.
• Chair: Sit on. Four legs. No bed.
• Desk: Big thing. Work at. Hold stuff.
• Mirror: Thing you look in. Show face. On wall.
• Backpack: Bag for back. Kids use. Hold books.
• Candle: Wax stick. Hot top. Bright light.
• Blanket: Soft. Keep warm. On bed.
• Headboard: Wood thing. Top of bed. Near head.

Actions

• Jump: Move up fast. Feet leave ground.
• Run: Move fast. Use legs. Not walk.
• Hug: Wrap arms. Hold close.
• Clap: Hit hands. Make sound.
• Swim: Move in water. Use arms.
• Juggle: Throw things. Catch more than one.
• Whisper: Talk soft. No sound. Close ear.
• Stretch: Pull arm long. Feel good. Move slow.
• Paint: Put color. Use brush. On wall.
• Daydream: Think big. Lost in mind. No talk.

Animals

• Dog: Pet. Four legs. Bark loud.
• Cat: Pet. Small. Purrs.
• Bird: Thing that flies. Makes nest. Sing songs.
• Fish: Swim in water. No legs.
• Duck: Bird. In water. Says quack.
• Kangaroo: Hop fast. Big pouch. From Aus.
• Octopus: Sea thing. Eight arms. Smart fish.
• Squirrel: Small. In tree. Eats nuts.
• Eagle: Big bird. Sharp eyes. Hunt fish.
• Hedgehog: Small. Sharp back. Like ball. In grass.

Descriptive Words

• Big: Not small. Large size.
• Red: Hot color. Like fire.
• Hot: Warm. Feels like sun.
• Wet: Not dry. Water on.
• Hard: Not soft. Tough to bend.
• Fragile: Break easy. Needs care.
• Sparkly: Bright. Small dots. Like stars.
• Gigantic: Big. More than big. Huge size.
• Slippery: Hard to hold. Falls fast.
• Complex: Not easy. Many parts. Hard to fix.

Food & Drink

• Bread: Soft food. Use for sandwich.
• Cake: Sweet food. Eat at party.
• Meat: Food from cow. Eat cooked.
• Milk: White drink. From cow.
• Salt: White stuff. On food. Tastes sharp.
• Popsicle: Cold. On stick. Sweet. Eat in heat.
• Pancake: Flat food. Hot. Sweet. Eat for first meal.
• Pepper: Black thing. On food. Make taste sharp.
• Spaghetti: Thin food. Long. Eat with sauce.
• Avocado: Green fruit. Soft inside. Good on toast.

Holiday Words

• Star: Bright thing. In sky. Top of tree.
• Gift: Thing you give. Wrap with bow.
• Bell: Metal. Makes sound. Ding-dong.
• Snow: White. Falls from sky. Cold.
• Tree: Green. Big. Has leaves.
• Reindeer: Animal. Pulls sleigh. With red nose.
• Fireworks: Bright lights. Boom in sky. On night.
• Stocking: Big sock. By fire. Holds gifts.
• Sleigh: Thing to ride. On snow. With red suit guy.
• Ornament: Small thing. On tree. Look nice.

Fantasy & Magic

• Wand: Stick. Used for spells.
• Spell: Words. Make magic work.
• Troll: Big. Lives under bridge.
• King: Man. Has crown. Rules land.
• Beast: Big. Strong. Not man.
• Dragon: Big beast. Fly. Breathe fire.
• Sorcerer: Man with spells. Makes magic.
• Knight: Man in armor. Saves king.
• Potion: Drink. Magic. Change you.
• Prophecy: Words. Tell future. Big deal.

Space & Astronomy

• Star: Bright thing. In sky. At night.
• Moon: Bright rock. Up at night.
• Sun: Hot thing. Lights day.
• Orb: Round. Like ball. In sky.
• Comet: Bright thing. Move fast. In dark sky.
• Galaxy: Big space. Many stars.
• Eclipse: Light gone. Big thing block sun.
• Meteorite: Rock. Falls from sky. Makes big hole.

Colors

• Red: Hot color. Like fire or blood.
• Blue: Cool color. Like sky or sea.
• Pink: Light red. Sweet and soft.
• Black: Dark. Like night. No light.
• Burgundy: Dark red. Like wine.
• Turquoise: Blue-green. Like gem.
• Olive: Green-brown. Like food.
• Crimson: Deep red. Like rose.

Fairy Tale Creatures

• Elf: Small. Pointed ears. Likes trees.
• Troll: Big. Ugly. Lives under bridge.
• Orc: Mean. Big. Green skin.
• Gnome: Small. Beard. In garden.
• Unicorn: Horse. One horn. Magic.
• Mermaid: Half fish. Half girl. Swims.
• Fairy: Small. Wings. Sprinkles dust.
• Leprechaun: Small. Green. Loves gold.

Superheroes & Powers

• Cape: Thing on back. Worn by hero.
• Mask: Cover face. Hide name.
• Fly: Move in sky. No wings.
• Hero: Good guy. Saves all.
• Invincible: Can’t be hurt. Always strong.
• Invisible: Can’t see. Not there.
• Sidekick: Helps hero. Not main guy.
• Villainy: Bad stuff. Done by foe.

Hobbies

• Knit: Make cloth. Use two sticks.
• Cook: Make food. Use heat.
• Paint: Put color. Use brush.
• Read: Look at words. Know things.
• Woodwork: Cut and make. Things from wood.
• Gardening: Grow plants. In dirt. Needs care.
• Birdwatching: Look at birds. Use eyes. Stay still.
• Scrapbooking: Put pics. On page. Add text.

School & Education

• Book: Thing with words. You read.
• Class: Group of kids. Learn stuff.
• Test: Paper with questions. You write.
• Desk: Sit at. Write on. Holds stuff.
• Homework: Work at home. From school.
• Principal: Boss of school. Big office.
• Blackboard: Board to write. Use chalk.
• Diploma: Paper. Show you done school.

What Are Good Clues for the Game?

A great clue in Poetry for Neanderthals is one that’s simple, clear, and paints a vivid picture for your team. Here are key tips and examples for crafting effective and hilarious clues:

1. Be Specific and Relatable

Avoid vague descriptions and focus on characteristics your teammates can easily recognize.

• Example: For “Hammer,” say: “Thing hit nail. Bang!”
• Avoid: “Tool.”

2. Use Imagery

Paint a mental picture with your words.

• Example: For “Watermelon,” say: “Big food. Red in. Black dots.”
• Avoid: “Fruit. Green outside.” (Too abstract and rule-breaking.)

3. Keep It Simple

Stick to short sentences with direct descriptions. Complex explanations can confuse your team.

• Example: For “Airplane,” say: “Thing in sky. Big. Fast.”
• Avoid: “Thing that people fly in. Goes long way.”

4. Playfully Stay in Character

Embrace the caveman theme for extra fun. Grunts, exaggerated gestures, and humor make clues even more engaging.

• Example: For “Fire,” say: “Hot thing. Burn wood. Bright.”
• Avoid: A monotone delivery.

5. Adapt to Your Audience

Think about what your team is likely to guess based on their knowledge and preferences. Use cultural or situational references if relevant.

• Example: For “Pizza,” say: “Round food. Cheese. Hot.”

By following these tips, you’ll keep the game fun, fast-paced, and full of laughter!

Poetry for Neanderthals Drinking Game

Turn your Poetry for Neanderthals session into a hilarious and unpredictable drinking game! Grab your favorite drinks, gather your friends, and follow these rules for a prehistoric party twist.

Setup

• Play Poetry for Neanderthals with the standard rules and components.
• Each player or team has their own drink.
• Assign one player to be the referee (or “Caveman Judge”) to enforce the drinking rules.

Drinking Rules

1. Sip for a Syllable Slip

• If the clue-giver accidentally uses a word with more than one syllable, they must take a sip of their drink.
• The player administering the “No!” stick can add a playful bop for good measure!

2. Drink for a Failed Guess

• If a team cannot guess the word on the card before time runs out, the entire team must take a drink.

3. Caveman MVP

• If a clue-giver manages to get their team to guess five cards in a row, they can assign a drink to any player of their choice.

Wild Challenges

1. Opposite Day Edition

Players must describe the word using opposite meanings, still sticking to single-syllable words.

Example:

• Word: “Hot”
• Clue: “Not cold. Burn feel. Sun bright.”

2. Double Trouble

Players must describe two words at once from the card without breaking the single-syllable rule. Both words must be guessed to score points.

Example:

• Words: “Dog” and “Bone”
• Clue: “Pet barks. Eat thing. In dirt.”

3. Reverse Caveman

Instead of giving clues in single-syllable words, players must guess using only single-syllable words. This twist is surprisingly difficult but equally hilarious!

Example:

• Clue: “Tall thing. Leaves on top. Made of wood.”
• Guess: “Tree!”

4. One-Breath Challenge

Players must say their entire clue in a single breath. If they run out of air before finishing, they lose the chance to score! This adds pressure and hilarity to the round.

Example: For “Mountain,” say: “Big rock. High up. Climb slow.” without pausing.

5. Caveman Charades

Players must act out their clues in addition to using single-syllable words. No pointing, writing, or drawing allowed—only gestures and grunts!

Example: For “Volcano,” the clue might be: “Hot rock. Go boom. Fire up!” while miming an eruption.

6. Musical Caveman

Every clue must be sung like a caveman ballad. Add in a drumbeat or chant for maximum prehistoric vibes!

Example: For “Moon,” sing: “Bright rock. High up. Night friend.”

If you’ve ever wanted an excuse to grunt like a caveman while your friends laugh till they cry, Poetry for Neanderthals is your dream game. With its ridiculous rules, inflatable bops, and endless giggles, it’s the perfect recipe for prehistoric pandemonium. 

So grab your cards, sharpen your one-syllable skills, and prepare for a night of grunts, guesses, and glorious chaos. And hey, if you’re sipping something stronger than water, remember—cavemen knew how to party, but they also knew their limits. Happy grunting!

FAQs About Poetry for Neanderthals Game