Dear Tom and Ray:

My dad and I are having an argument about Punch Buggy. Today he saw an original Beetle. He punched me for it, but I said that the originals don't count. He says they do. We have agreed that you guys are to be the final judges in our dispute. So, do original Beetles count in Punch Buggy? — Sincerely, Syd, an 11-year-old girl looking for an answer

Ray: Well, for those who are not familiar with Punch Buggy, it's a game that sadistic little kids developed while riding around with their parents several decades ago. The idea was that if you were the first one to see a Volkswagen Beetle on the road, you say, "Punch Buggy" and then punch your opponent in the arm.

Tom: This explains why my brother's left arm was swollen to roughly twice the size of his right arm during most of his childhood.

Ray: I think we'd have to conclude, with very little deliberation, Syd, that old, original VW Beetles certainly do count. They're the cars that started the whole Punch Buggy game, so how can you exclude them? They're getting quite rare these days, so you won't see many of them, but I don't think there's any question that they earn you a punch.

Tom: So tell your dad he's right, Syd. And then call Children's Protective Services and turn him in. That'll teach him to argue with you next time.

© 2008 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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