Why James Brunot Changed “Lexiko” to “Scrabble”
When Alfred Mosher Butts first created his word game in the 1930s, he named it Lexiko. A title derived from “lexicon,” meaning a dictionary or collection of words. While the name reflected the game’s linguistic foundation, it lacked the marketing appeal that could capture the attention of a broader audience. In 1948, James Brunot, a game enthusiast and entrepreneur, acquired the rights to Lexiko from Butts. He refined the design, adjusted the scoring system, and introduced a more colorful and organized board. However, Brunot recognized that the game needed more than mechanical improvements it needed a name that resonated with players emotionally and commercially. The result was “Scrabble,” a word meaning “to scratch or grope frantically.” This term perfectly captured the essence of the game for players energetically searching their minds and tiles to form meaningful words. The new name gave the game character, simplicity, and strong branding potential. Twas initially Criss crossed...