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Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: the Reason Behind the Rhyme Hardcover – Import, January 1, 2004

by Chris Roberts (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
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Was Little Jack Horner a squatter? “Baa Baa Black Sheep” a bleat about taxation? What did Jack and Jill really do on that hill? Chris Roberts reveals the seamy and quirky stories behind our favorite nursery rhymes.

Nursery rhymes are rarely as innocent as they seem—there is a wealth of concealed meaning in our familiar childhood verse. More than a century after Queen Victoria decided that children were better off without the full story, London librarian Chris Roberts brings the truth to light. He traces the origins of the subtle phrases and antiquated references, revealing religious hatred, political subversion, and sexual innuendo.

Roberts reveals that when Jack, nimble and quick, jumped over a candlestick, he was reenacting a popular sport that tested whether a person was lean and healthy. Humpty Dumpty was actually a cannon mounted on the walls of a church in Colchester, blown up during the English Civil War. Few know that the cockles in “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” actually refer to cuckolds in the promiscuous court of Mary Queen of Scots. Or that “Rub-a-dub-dub, three maids in a tub” was inspired by a fairground peepshow.

A fascinating history lesson that makes astonishing connections to contemporary popular culture, Heavy Words Lightly Thrown is for Anglophiles, parents, history buffs, and anyone who has ever wondered about the origins of rhymes. The book features a glossary of slang and historical terms, and spooky silhouettes of nursery-rhyme characters to accompany the rhymes. Mother Goose will never look the same again.

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  1. Print length
    176 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    GRANTA BOOKS *
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2004
  5. ISBN-10
    1862077657
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1862077652
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ GRANTA BOOKS *; Second Edition (January 1, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1862077657
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1862077652
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.1 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

About the author

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Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts

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London based writer and tour guide with www.londonstreettours.co.uk. My interests include history and folklore, especially London's, and of the river Thames and bridges over that river. I am the author of books about the latter as well as one on the history of nursery rhymes, "lost" English words and football and superstition.

Current projects include co-presenting the cult football radio show Cafe Calcio on Resonance 104.4 FM which examines the social, political and cultural aspects of the game. Previous series have featured the Football Art Masterclass, Soccer Dance School and Tacticus a Latin speaking football correspondent. The current one (Street pharmacist's guide to football) examines the links between soccer and narcotics. All of these will hopefully be turned into short books one day soon.

From 2007 to 2011 I edited the 21st century penny dreadful called One Eye Grey. These were collections of short scary London stories which in 2012 went electric under the title Stories from Another London.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
72 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fun, engaging, and entertaining. Opinions are mixed on the educational value, with some finding it interesting and useful for English classes, while others say it's less than perfectly informative and lacks research.

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Fun readEducational value
4 customers mention "Fun read"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun, engaging, and entertaining. They say it describes how nursery rhymes have historical references.

"...Some seem like a bit of a stretch, but fun." Read more

"...Still, it is a fun read." Read more

"...The author's approach is interesting and engaging, and the book helpfully provides a glossary to help non-Brits understand the Britishisms...." Read more

"Entertaining book describing how nursery rhymes, etc. have historical references. I enjoyed reading it and passed it along to others to read as well." Read more

8 customers mention "Educational value"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the educational value of the book. Some mention it's an interesting way to study history, and a useful tool in their English classes. However, others say it's less than perfectly informative, lacks definite knowledge, and fudges on real insight.

"...a presentation on nursery rhymes and politics and this is the perfect book for me. Some seem like a bit of a stretch, but fun." Read more

"...The author makes many contemporary references but fudges on real insight in many cases. Still, it is a fun read." Read more

"A fantastic primer on the history behind songs, lyrics, nursery rhymes originating in Europe...." Read more

"...author's approach is interesting and engaging, and the book helpfully provides a glossary to help non-Brits understand the Britishisms...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Margaret Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2012
Verified Purchase
I'm doing a presentation on nursery rhymes and politics and this is the perfect book for me. Some seem like a bit of a stretch, but fun.
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Donna Donaldson
4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun; less than perfectly informative
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2010
Verified Purchase
I've long wanted an annotated Mother Goose book, and had high hopes for this one. Sadly, while it was quite entertainingly written, it fell short of being the compendium of knowledge I had wished to own. The author makes many contemporary references but fudges on real insight in many cases. Still, it is a fun read.
4 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Primer On Our Language Origin
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2013
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A fantastic primer on the history behind songs, lyrics, nursery rhymes originating in Europe. Phrases and slang usage in Britain, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland along with their beginnings. Well written, humorous references, educational!
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Luap
5.0 out of 5 stars FASCINATING
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
FASCINATING! It gave me an appetite for finding out the take of others. I know at least one author, "Dr Merne Harris", who picked up the initial "catch-phrase", "Humpty Dumpty and his friends".

When I picked this up, I actually saw a copy of Dr Harris's book available on e-bay. He taught at "Mennard College".

Have fun!
One person found this helpful
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dephal
3.0 out of 5 stars Fun, light reading
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2005
Verified Purchase
This book makes for fun and light reading, perfect for those bits and pieces of time when you're waiting for an appointment. The author's approach is interesting and engaging, and the book helpfully provides a glossary to help non-Brits understand the Britishisms. Unfortunately, the book also left me wanting more information in several places, and sometimes the author sacrifices data in favor of humor (and he has an annoying obsession with football). Still, a painless way to learn about common nursery rhymes.
17 people found this helpful
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S. Norton
5.0 out of 5 stars Charles, Cromwell, Henry, and Jack
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2006
Verified Purchase
What an interesting way to study history. Who knew how so many familiar rhymes came out of specific periods of history? Well, I guess Chris Roberts did. HEAVY WORDS was a useful tool in my English classes to help them create simple rhymes to highlight current political events and themes.
3 people found this helpful
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kim
4.0 out of 5 stars Okay book
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
Okay book, interesting stories
One person found this helpful
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Marilee S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
Another explanation of Mother Goose origins
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Top reviews from other countries

CB
5.0 out of 5 stars Well received gift.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2020
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Well received gift.
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Mr. Moshe Elias
4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy Words Lightly Thrown
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
Told me a lot I never knew before with a lot of humour and charm.
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Ray Hobby
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
Excellent copy for a writers library
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