Beggar-My-Neighbour

card game

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Beggar-my-neighbor is a card game where the objective is to win all of your opponent's cards. The term "beggar-my-neighbor" can also be used as an adjective, particularly in British English, to describe actions or policies that benefit one group at the expense of another. This phrase was first used in its adjective form in 1815. The game itself was first documented in 1734.123

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card game
Origins
…so-called children’s games, such as beggar-my-neighbour and old maid, derive from old drinking and gambling games. Other families of games, particularly non-trick-taking games, reached Europe from the Far East, especially from China. They include the casino family (17th century), the rummy family (19th century), which probably derived from
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…so-called children’s games, such as beggar-my-neighbour and old maid, derive from old drinking and gambling games. Other families of games, particularly non-trick-taking games, reached Europe from the Far East, especially from China. They include the casino family (17th century), the rummy family (19th century), which probably derived from
Read More