The long-running tag game began in the early 1980s at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington. Although the rules stay the same, the game has become increasingly complex over time. Today, several different versions of tag exist, with new ones being invented by players and teachers alike. Tag can be traced back to Asia where it was known as P'ting because kids would use their finger tips instead of bells or whistles. The first written record of tag comes from England where it was called Tiggus, which means little thief. This name probably refers to how players use things such as handkerchiefs, pocket knives, and even forks as weapons while trying to avoid getting caught by their opponents. In the United States, tag became popular among children after John Ziegler, author of "Zigzags: The Story of Tag," published an article in The New York Times in 1983 explaining this new game. Since then, tag has spread across America where many different variations have emerged. Other modifications include making the game easier to play on a school campus by limiting who can be tagged or changing the location where players must go.