Imagine a cozy drawing room in Regency England: the scent of beeswax candles in the air, the soft rustle of silk gowns, and the occasional burst of laughter echoing off the walls. It’s a winter evening, the hearth is glowing, and the guests—young ladies with flushed cheeks and gentlemen with twinkling eyes—are gathered in a circle for a game. Not cards or chess this time, but something a bit more lively. A slipper is passed from hand to hand, hidden behind backs, while one unlucky soul stands in the center, spinning and guessing, trying to catch the mischief in motion.

This is Hunt the Slipper—a deceptively simple parlor game that became a favorite Regency pastime. Ostensibly innocent, it was also an opportunity for flirtation, touch, and teasing in a society that valued restraint and decorum. In this post, we’ll explore the history of the game, how it was played, and how a missing shoe could cause quite the stir in polite company.

What are the Origins, and why was it Popular?

While Hunt the Slipper may sound like a game meant solely for children, its roots run deep into English social life, and it was just as popular among adults during the Regency era. The game is believed to have come from older folk traditions and was commonly played at festive gatherings, particularly during the Christmas season when families and friends gathered for long evenings of indoor entertainment. This was before movies, phones, and video games. It was a simpler time when people of wealth had free time and needed ways to fill it, but didn’t have the entertainment we have today.

By the early 19th century, Hunt the Slipper had become a well-known parlor game, referenced in literature and art of the period. One example of this is a piece of art by Thomas Rowlandson that he painted in 1802. It shows a group of men and women, a little bit pudgy but still dressed up in their finery, all sitting in a circle. There’s a tapestry in the background, and various food and drink on the floor. You can see flirtation and laughter in the art. While no one is standing in the middle, there are two people standing around the edge, and it is given the title Hunt the Slipper.

Its charm lay in its simplicity. Unlike card games or musical evenings that required skill or talent, Hunt the Slipper was accessible to everyone, from the highest-born debutante to the shyest wallflower. It encouraged participation, laughter, and just enough physical closeness to make even the most reserved guest sit up straighter—or blush a little deeper.

How was Hunt the Slipper Played?

The rules of Hunt the Slipper were simple, but the fun was in the energy and secrecy it inspired. The game began with a group of players seated in a tight circle—either on chairs or the floor. One player was chosen to stand in the middle, temporarily removed from the camaraderie of the group, while the others prepared for some sneaky mischief.

As the game began, a slipper, or other item, was passed behind the backs of the seated players. It moved from hand to hand, quickly and silently, as the person in the center tried to catch someone red-handed. The slipper had to be kept in motion, making it difficult for the central player to track. Sometimes, participants would fake movements or misdirect the center player with teasing glances or exaggerated gestures.

The player in the middle had one goal: to discover who currently held the slipper. If they guessed correctly or managed to catch someone in the act of passing it, the roles would switch. The caught player took the center spot, and the game began again.

There was no need for a score or winner—Hunt the Slipper was about spontaneity, laughter, and social interaction. It broke the ice in mixed company and gave young men and women a rare chance to interact more freely.

A Flirty Twist

In Regency England, strict rules governed how unmarried men and women could interact. Physical contact was limited, conversations were carefully supervised, and even prolonged eye contact could be seen as scandalous. Yet within these constraints, games like Hunt the Slipper created a rare loophole—an opportunity for flirtation disguised as fun.

Though the game appeared innocent on the surface, its structure naturally encouraged brief, tantalizing moments of physical closeness. Hands might brush as the slipper passed behind backs. A player lunging to catch the slipper might stumble into someone else’s lap—entirely by “accident,” of course. The tight circle and fast pace made excuses for these little breaches of decorum, often accompanied by blushing cheeks and nervous laughter.

Players in the center, frustrated and determined, might crouch low or spin suddenly, drawing gasps and giggles from the group. Meanwhile, those in the circle could heighten the game’s flirtatious tension with playful deception—offering misleading eye contact or pretending to fumble with the slipper just long enough to be noticed.

Add to this the romantic ambiance of dim candlelight, warm firelight, and the close proximity of the guests in a circle, and Hunt the Slipper became the perfect setting for a bit of harmless mischief. It allowed young people—especially those navigating the marriage market—to test boundaries, exchange smiles, and spark chemistry in a way that society would tolerate.

For many, the game wasn’t just about hiding a slipper. It was about revealing interest without saying a word.

Charming in Regency Romance Novels

Many Regency Romance novels today feature house parties, balls, and gatherings, as it was such a prevalent thing during the Regency era. With that being said, oftentimes, authors are on the hunt for fun little games to be played by their characters. Hunt the Slipper is featured in Pride and Prejudice, but I’ve never seen it in any other books. I have seen games like musical chairs, the human knot, or scavenger hunts in books.

Conclusion

It was the job of the hostess to keep the event entertaining, lively, and scandal-free. With nothing to entertain guests like we think of as modern-day entertainment, the hostess had to get creative. At house parties, they’d go for horseback rides, fox hunts, games on the lawn like croquet, and other things. But when it got dark early, it was harder to be outside in the wet, cold climate of England. So, they had card nights, dances, musical performances, and parlor games to entertain themselves. Most large homes also had libraries for those who enjoyed reading. However, there was a certain charm about Hunt the slipper that those on the marriage mart enjoyed.