A viral thread on Twitter has got the world divided over the correct name for the game where you knock on someone’s door and run away.
Can you even believe this is a debate?
Apparently, the popular childhood game, or we should probably say prank, that’s entertained generations of kids the world over and most of us Mancunians fondly know as ‘knock a door run’, is actually called a number of different names across the country and the globe.
No matter how self-explanatory the name ‘knock a door run’ seems to be, it’s just not enough for some people.
The regional variations for the name of the game was uncovered and brought to the surface this week when Twitter user @55_Titles took to the social media platform to pose the simple question to their followers: “When you were younger what did you call it when you knock on someone’s door and run away?”
The tweet went on to amass over 2.4K varied responses from people chipping in with the name they’ve always known it as, and although ‘knock a door run’ does get thrown into the mix a fair bit, there’s plenty of other names we could never have imagined.
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To be honest, it’s quite baffling.
How have they even come up with some of these names?
Knock a door run.
I will be no taking any further questions on this matter at this time…
— Dan #AI #Tech #FutureOfWork Södergren (@dansodergren) April 12, 2021
Knock a door run
— Janekin24 💥💥🌞🌞Let’s grow the future WE want! (@janekin24) April 11, 2021
In fear of getting raked over the coals for this, but we called it Knock Down Ginger – to this day I have no idea why 🤷♀️
I am so surprised how am I scrolling through these not seeing anyone with the same names as what I called it which I thought everyone did 🤣🙏. This is amazing.
— The Truth Will Set You Free (@HolySacredTruth) April 12, 2021
Everything from ‘chappy’ and ‘Nicky knocky nine doors’, to ‘ding dong ditch’, ‘bobby knocking’ and ‘cherry knocking’ were brought up several times.
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‘Chickenely’ and ‘rappa doors’ made a couple of appearances too.
But for reasons no one seemed to be able to explain though, ‘knock down ginger’ was the most popular choice for several regions.
While most people replied with their genuine responses to the question, others took the opportunity to have a pop at the country’s various delivery services, which it’s hard to deny is quite funny.
One joked: “Hermes delivery.”
While another put: “Today it’s called – Royal Mail Delivery.” and a third added: “I don’t know what they used to call it, but these days it’s called parcel delivery service”.
Perhaps there’s just no right answer after all then?
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Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.
Featured Image – ELR
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2021 
