The concept of the scavenger hunt originated in the United States in the 1930s, though the game is probably rooted in ancient hunting games. We will examine the definition of the term scavenger hunt, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences.
A scavenger hunt is a game in which the players are given a list of items to find, borrow or be given. Usually a scavenger hunt is played by teams of people, the first team to return with all the items on the list is proclaimed the winner. Teams participating in a scavenger hunt may not purchase the items on the list. They are often turned loose on a neighborhood. Most people are aware of the custom of the scavenger hunt and are happy to help players complete their list. Items on a scavenger hunt list are usually random, odd and inexpensive. The scavenger hunt was popularized by hostess and gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell, who hosted a series of memorable parties involving scavenger hunts in New York during the 1930s. Many variations of the original scavenger hunt are in use today, including photo scavenger hunts which involve players taking photos at various places and internet scavenger hunts, which involve visiting websites. The plural form of scavenger hunt is scavenger hunts.
Examples
Wanderers’ players hit the town this morning in a bid to learn more about the history of High Wycombe with a surprise scavenger hunt. (The Bucks Free Press)
Slugger’s Sports Bar will be hosting a scavenger hunt during the trick-or-treat hours in the Village of Wild Rose from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29. (The Waushara Argus)
Langdon’s daughter, Katelynn Bresnan, 25, a radiologic technologist who helps with the business, said her mom has been known all these years for the themed parties and scavenger hunts she throws at home (The New Haven Register)