The names are Iona and Peter Opie.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rebekah Moran [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, 22 May 2000 09:50
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Nursery Rhymes
>
> Ann Marie-
>
> You might try a book written by a couple called Opie.  I'm sorry I don't
> know either of their first names, but if you do a search you should find
> something.
>
> A few years ago, I considered doing my dissertation on the use of nursery
> rhymes as political propaganda in Early Modern England.  I used the Opie's
> work as a basis.  The Opie's have done the most research on nursery
> rhymes.
> They travelled all around the UK listening to rhymes in playgrounds,
> noting
> dialects etc.
>
> One more thing you may find interesting, in the UK we sing 'Ring a Ring a
> Roses, A Pocket Full of Posies, Attishoo, Attishoo (this is supposed to be
> a
> sneeze!), We All Fall Down'.  Of course, this refers to the symptoms and
> supposed cures for bubonic plague.
>
> I hope this is of help :-)))
>
> Bekky
> ----------------
> Rebekah Moran,
> Education Officer
>
> Royal Naval Museum
> HM Naval Base (pp66)
> PORTSMOUTH PO1 3NH
> United Kingdom
>
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