What baby-shower game uses a clothespin that guests lose if they say the word “baby”?

“Don’t Say Baby” is the baby-shower game in which guests lose a clothespin when they say the forbidden word.

At the beginning, each guest receives a clothespin, ribbon, or similar marker. During the party, participants listen for someone saying “baby.” If they hear it, they claim that person’s marker. The guest with the most markers at the end wins, although house rules vary.

The game turns ordinary conversation into a simple memory challenge. It is popular because it needs little preparation and can run in the background while guests eat, socialize, or open gifts. Some hosts substitute another word, such as the baby’s name, but that changes the traditional wording.

This game is unrelated to “pin the tail on the donkey,” despite the shared use of a pin. It is also distinct from guessing games involving birth dates, baby food, or the parent’s childhood photographs.