The Possible Origins of the Game Cornhole

​Cornhole, a backyard game played by throwing beanbags at a board with a hole in it, is also played competitively in public venues. Although it first grew in popularity in the American Midwest, cornhole is now well-known throughout the United States and beyond.

The origins of cornhole are unknown and commonly disputed. Some people credit the Blackhawk tribe or other Native American populations with the game’s invention. Others contend it is a variation of a European game called quoits.

One of the most widely circulated stories of the creation of cornhole also accounts for its unusual name. This origin story takes place in 14th-century Germany and a cabinetmaker named Matthias Kuepermann. According to legend, Kuepermann became concerned about the safety of the children he saw tossing rocks into a groundhog’s hole. Using his carpentry skills, he designed a similar but safer game, replacing rocks with much softer bags of corn.

Josh Barney

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