Pop Goes the Weasel

Pop Goes the Weasel
Author: Albert Jack
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2009-09-29
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1101162961

From the international bestselling author of Red Herrings and White Elephants—a curious guide to the hidden histories of classic nursery rhymes. Who was Mary Quite Contrary, or Georgie Porgie? How could Hey Diddle Diddle offer an essential astronomy lesson? Do Jack and Jill actually represent the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette? And if Ring Around the Rosie isn’t about the plague, then what is it really about? This book is a quirky, curious, and sometimes sordid look at the truth behind popular nursery rhymes that uncovers the strange tales that inspired them—from Viking raids to political insurrection to smuggling slaves to freedom. Read Albert Jack's posts on the Penguin Blog.

Pop Goes the Weasel

Pop Goes the Weasel
Author: Albert Jack
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2008-08-28
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 0141909307

Mr Jack has been nimble and he’s been quick, searching through the history of nursery rhymes and he’s found out all kind of plum tales, just like little Jack Horner. He's unearthed the answers to some very curious questions... Who were Mary Quite Contrary and Georgie Porgie? How could Hey Diddle Diddle offer an essential astronomy lesson? And if Ring a Ring a Roses isn’t about catching the plague, then, what is it really about? The ingenious book delves into the hidden meanings of the nursery rhymes and songs we all know so well and discovers all kinds of strange tales ranging from Viking raids to firewalking and from political rebellion to slaves being smuggled to freedom. Children have always played at being grown up and all kinds of episodes in our history are still being re-enacted today in a series of dark games (Oranges and Lemons traces a condemned man’s journey across London to his execution, Goosie Gander is about dragging a hidden Catholic priest to prison) And there are many many more... Full of vivid illustrations and with each verse reproduced, here are a multitude of surprising stories you won’t be able to resist passing on to everyone you know. Your childhood songs and rhymes will never sound the same again.

The Secret History of Nursery Rhymes

The Secret History of Nursery Rhymes
Author: Linda Kathryn Alchin
Publisher: Linda Alchin
Total Pages: 97
Release: 2010
Genre: Folklore
ISBN: 0956748627

Many nursery rhymes are believed to be associated with actual events in history, and include references to murder, torture, betrayal, greed, and to tyrants and royalty. The words were remembered but their secret histories were forgotten. Political satire was cleverly disguised in the wording of some, seemingly innocent, nursery rhymes. Although some of the most popular Nursery Rhymes are rooted in English history they are told to children throughout the English-speaking world. Old English Nursery Rhymes were taken to America with the settlers from England. They were then spread across Commonwealth countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Pop Goes the Weasel

Pop Goes the Weasel
Author: M. J. Arlidge
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2015-10-06
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 069819490X

From the international bestselling author of Eeny Meeny comes the second thriller in the “truly excellent series”* featuring Detective Helen Grace. A man’s body is found in an empty house. A gruesome memento of his murder is sent to his wife and children. He is the first victim, and Detective Helen Grace knows he will not be the last. But why would a happily married man be this far from home in the dead of night? The media call it Jack the Ripper in reverse: a serial killer preying on family men who lead hidden double lives. Helen can sense the fury behind the murders. But what she cannot possibly predict is how volatile this killer is—or what is waiting for her at the end of the chase....

Heavy Words Lightly Thrown

Heavy Words Lightly Thrown
Author: Chris Roberts
Publisher:
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2006-05
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN:

Revealing the seamy and quirky stories behind favorite nursery rhymes, London librarian Roberts traces the origins of the subtle phrases and antiquated references, unearthing religious hatred, political subversion, and sexual innuendo.

The Old Dog and Duck

The Old Dog and Duck
Author: Albert Jack
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 306
Release: 2009-09-03
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 014192991X

This is a book for everyone who has ever wondered why pubs should be called The Cross Keys, The Dew Drop Inn or The Hope and Anchor. You'll be glad to know that there are very good - strange and memorable - reasons behind them all. After much research about (and in) pubs, Albert Jack brings together the stories behind pub names to reveal how they offer fascinating and subversive insights on our history, customs, attitudes and jokes in just the same way that nursery rhymes do. The Royal Oak, for instance, commemorates the tree that hid Charles II from Cromwell's forces after his defeat at Worcester; The Bag of Nails is a corruption of the Bacchanals, the crazed followers of Bacchus, the god of wine and drunkenness; The Cat and the Fiddle a mangling of Catherine La Fidele and a guarded gesture of support for Henry VIII's first, Catholic, wife Catherine of Aragon; plus many, many more. Here too are even more facts about everything from ghosts to drinking songs to the rules of cribbage and shove hapenny, showing that, ultimately, the story of pub history is really the story of our own popular history

Red Herrings And White Elephants

Red Herrings And White Elephants
Author: Albert Jack
Publisher: Metro Publishing
Total Pages: 119
Release: 2007-04-10
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 1782192743

Have you ever wondered what phrases such as 'square meal', 'load of old codswallop', 'egg on your face' or 'in the limelight' mean? Where do they come from? Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what we say actually means? The origins of hundreds of common phrases are explained in this irreverent journey through the most fascinating and richest regions of the English language. In a book that takes you all over the world, from nautical origins to food and drink terms, once you have learnt one phrase, you will be eager to learn them all! From the drop of a hat to the bitter end - you'll be surprised and intrigued and you'll never speak English in the same way again.

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea
Author: Sarah Webb
Publisher:
Total Pages: 64
Release: 2017
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9781847177940

Owls and pussycats, cockles and mussels, golden stockings, wiggly worms and rattlin' bogs - they're all here, and more. Another wonderful collection of rhymes to delight any child, from the author and illustrator Sally Go Round the Stars.

Ring-a-Ring o'Roses

Ring-a-Ring o'Roses
Author: Diana Ferguson
Publisher: Michael O'Mara
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018-10-18
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9781782439882

This delightful book takes the reader on a journey into the wonderful world of nursery rhymes. With more than 100 of our best-loved rhymes, it delves beneath the surface of the verses to interpret their meaning and reveal their historical origins.