"Ring around the rosie" is about Small Pox. (posies help cover the smell of puttrefied pustules.)
"Old Dan River" is about gangrene.
"It's raining it's pouring" is about concussion.
"Jack and Jill" - dangerous climbing.
"Humpty Dumpty" - precarious perches.
"Hush-a-bye-baby" (Or "Rock-a-bye-baby") - negligent infant care.
"Ten Little Monkeys" (jumping on the bed) - rough-housing.
The Canadian Medical Association has an article - not entirely tongue in cheek - "Head injuries in nursery rhymes: evidence of a dangerous subtext in children's literature" at www. cmaj. ca/ cgi/ content/ full/ 169/ 12/ 1294
When properly explained, and taught, these rhymes may provide valuable lessons for children. Sadly, the actual meanings are mostly lost to antiquity.
Where can I find a comprehesive list that includes explanations of meanings / sources?
Lacking a list, I would appreciate contributions of OTHER such rhymes, with explanations where possible.
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