Nursery Rhymes

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Uncover the hidden history of the nursery rhyme parents have sung to their children for generations.

Early versions of the rhyme included the words ‘bloody’ and ‘blooming’—and sometimes didn’t feature a spider at all.

Like most nursery rhymes, rumors have long swirled about its allegedly dark origin story—one that’s said to involve Henry VIII and bribery.

This simple nursery rhyme comes with a number of unanswered questions about everything from its authorship to who inspired it.

Although “Jack Sprat” may not be in the nursery rhyme limelight, the two theories behind its meaning—both of which involve royalty—are just as interesting as the origins of better-known rhymes.

You may think you know the words to “Pop! Goes the Weasel.” The tune is everywhere from jack-in-the-box toys to Data and Riker’s first encounter in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. But it may not even be about a weasel at all.

“Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie / Kissed the girls and made them cry.”

The popular nursery rhyme may have emerged in the 14th century—and it didn’t have anything to do with bathing.

When it comes to pure terror fuel in prose form, Stephen King has got nothing on Mother Goose. Some have speculated that these nursery rhymes have roots in Viking rampages and plagues.

You’ve probably grown up your entire life without putting much thought into the nursery rhymes drilled into your head. But there are tales behind each of them—some pretty dark.