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reindeer games

(US, informal) Activities which exclude outsiders.

ˈɹeɪndɪə ˌɡeɪmzDocumented since 1940s1940sBoomerhistorical153 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Born ~1949 · no dated citations yet
1949BornToday, 2026

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#1·Apr 27, 2026

(US, informal) Activities which exclude outsiders.

The natives are a primitive but gregarious lot. They invited me to join them in their reindeer games, which I did.
Origin: From the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949) by the American songwriter Johnny Marks (1909–1985): “All of the other reindeer / Used to laugh and call him names. / They never let poor Rudolph / Join in any reindeer games.”. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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