Paper fortune tellers, better known as “cootie catchers” among the 10-year-old girl circuit, were originally used to pour salt in 17th century Japan.
They were introduced to the English-speaking world as a “salt cellar” in a book called “Fun With Paper Folding” in 1928. Though the term “cootie catcher” comes from the ability to pick someone’s cooties off using the pincer-like paper structure.
Note: not the best way to make a new friend in E201.
Grade school throwback
Step-by-step guide to making a cootie-catcher
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