Kille (pronounced /ɕɪlːɛ/ or /kɪlːɛ/[a]), also called Harlequin, Cambio, Campio, Kambio or Kamfio,[1] is a game played with special playing cards, dating from a medieval French gambling game.

[2] The French gambling game of Coucou was invented in France around 1500 and spread across Central Europe.

In the late 17th century, an Italian manufacturer produced a deck of cards adapted for the game.

Five of the cards were ranked higher: the Inn, Cat, Horse, Guard, and Cuckoo (highest).

[2] Cuccú spread north across Europe and became known in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland under the names of Hexenspiel and Vogelkarten, which literally mean "Witch game" and "Bird cards".

[2] The card game changed somewhat on its journey through Europe and was mentioned in Sweden as Campio for the first time in 1741 in a court record.

Kille is probably a corruption of Harlequin which was now the highest ranked card, but still had a special position in some games.

The cards with higher values than the numerals were, in ascending order: the Inn, Cavalier, Pig, Hussar, Cuckoo and Harlequin.

For example, the phrases "Svinhugg går igen" ("the pig bites back"), referring to a rudeness that rebounds on the performer, and "gå värdshus förbi" ("go past the inn"), a lost opportunity, both come from the game of One-Card Kille.

Jag ser skorsten ryka: Värdshus måste stryka... Hey, cheers, and Cambio!

I see a chimney smoking: The Inn must strike ... Falstaff, fakir rhymed in an ABC for the letter P:[4] Proletären gärna ville dricka punsch och spela kille The common labourer was eager to drink punch and play Kille The deck comprises 42 cards of a single suit, comprising two copies of 21 distinct cards.

Two Swedish manufacturers, Öberg (Carta Mundi) and Offason, make them today.

Players who at their turn do not want to exchange cards, say "satisfied" (nöjd) and slap the table.