There could be a real controversy as to what a wood or plastic board with letters and numbers called a Ouija really is. It might be a game, novelty, a strange gimmick with hidden messages, the talking board or the devil’s device. We’ll deal with some of these descriptions in this column. And despite what’s happened in the past, this Ouija thing is still a mighty mysterious item to be placed under the tree as a Christmas present.

Now, for the benefit of the folks who may not be familiar with this Ouija device, or those needing a refresher course, here’s an explanation of this alleged game.

If a Ouija is purchased in a store, and good luck on even finding one, it will be in a box containing a board, a triangular or heart-shaped indicator and maybe even an instruction sheet. It’s likely that the this Ouija is now made in China, but we digress.

The board, either wood or plastic, is supposed to be 2 feet wide and 18 inches high. On the surface are printed the letters of the alphabet, the numerals 0 to 9, and the words “yes,” and “no,” and, close together, “good” and “bye.”

To operate this board, or so-called game, two people sit facing each other with the board on their knees. Their fingers rest very lightly on the indicator, which has short legs like a tiny table and sometimes called the planchette.

At this point one of the two people asks a question and both people concentrate. Then the indicator moves around the board to hopefully provide the desired answer.

I’ve often wondered if a third person who would be present to keep an eye on the indicator and write down the answer or message. Again, we digress.

Incidentally, I don’t think the Ouija is intended for solitaire use.

The concept of the Ouija board supposedly has ancient origins. However, the present version evolved in the 1890s, reportedly invented by William Fuld of Baltimore. His firm was taken over by Parker Brothers, the game makers, in 1967. The Parker firm now owns the rights and patents for this product.

According to a Tribune columnist in late 1980, Ouija has had varying degrees of popularity through the years. That year this game or whatever reportedly sold a million units. This year the Ouija boards are almost impossible to find in the big-box or small-box stores. In fact, the best place to find a Ouija board is at a rummage sale or antique store.

The name for this game is supposedly based on the Egyptian word for good luck. Another reference source says the name is derived from the Moroccan city of Oujda. In reality, the name is a combination of two words from separate European languages, even if the pronunciation is wrong.

The oui part is the French word for yes, and the ja portion is the German word for yes. The true translation ends up with this board being the “yes-yes” game.

Yet, the pronunciation being used is :”wee-gee.” “Wee-jaw” or “wee-yaw” would be more correct. Anyway, we’ve digressed one more time.

I have a hunch this reported game doesn’t meet the present standard for becoming something to be given to the younger generation. It isn’t battery-operated, has no moving parts (except for the indicator), no endorsement or publicity push from a supposedly famous person, and is actually rather boring.

Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.