An old memory test

Posted by Peter Pullman on June 23, 2004

It requires the contestant to repeat increasingly long phrases that s/he is given.

It begins "One Hen". After the contestant repeats that, s/he is given "One Hen, Two Ducks". Then s/he must repeat "One Hen, Two Ducks, Three Squawking Geese". Then "One Hen, Two Ducks, Three Squawking Geese, Four Limerick Oysters". The contestant must repeat the entire list each time, eventually repeating ten items.

I was told that this was a test for aspiring radio broadcasters, but does anyone know for sure where it comes from?

peterpullman@hotmail.com