The child's world
These usages are arranged alphabetically here, all having something to do with the theme of "children." For fuller information about each usage, see the main list, which is also alphabetically organized. There are twenty-six files. Just click onto the appropriate letter.
172 entries
1-2-3 alairachildren's game
children's game
alley-applesrocks
rocks
alley-bandpick up neighbourhood band
pick up neighbourhood band
Full A–Z entry →backstopwicket keeper in cricket
wicket keeper in cricket
Full A–Z entry →banny-mugpottery chards for play money
pottery chards for play money
Full A–Z entry →barley, to be intruce, a safe spot
truce, a safe spot
billy cartmakeshift board and wheels cart
makeshift board and wheels cart
Full A–Z entry →bob-apple nightHalloween
Halloween
bo-boes, to goto go to sleep
to go to sleep
bogies (or snot)large marbles
large marbles
bombdie ( or bomby)playsite in a bombed out (or derelict / deserted ) area
playsite in a bombed out (or derelict / deserted ) area
boncelarge playing marble
large playing marble
Full A–Z entry →bossy bootsdomineering child
domineering child
Full A–Z entry →bunk into, tosneak into ( usually without paying )
sneak into ( usually without paying )
buttonschildren's game
children's game
Full A–Z entry →chalking outchildren's game
children's game
Full A–Z entry →cherry-wobs, or wagschildren's game
children's game
clat tale titinformer
informer
Full A–Z entry →clew on the ear-hole, aa disciplinary whack
a disciplinary whack
diabolochildren's game
children's game
Full A–Z entry →duck-apple nightHalloween
Halloween
Full A–Z entry →fagger outcricket fielder
cricket fielder
Full A–Z entry →faggin'fielding at rounders
fielding at rounders
Full A–Z entry →filmycinema quiz game
cinema quiz game
Full A–Z entry →fivestoneschildren's game, with jacks and marbles
children's game, with jacks and marbles
flincherschildren's ball game
children's ball game
Full A–Z entry →footeefootball(soccer)
football(soccer)
Full A–Z entry →fourpenny onea chastizing blow
a chastizing blow
Full A–Z entry →gear skeagreat hiding place for young people's prized possessions
great hiding place for young people's prized possessions
glanniesglass marbles
glass marbles
Full A–Z entry →god-forbidskids
kids
gollya children's game
a children's game
Full A–Z entry →half-sovereign, achina shard with a gold line
china shard with a gold line
Full A–Z entry →heavy on ton weight( also: sedate, weak house, Solomon's donkey)children's game
children's game
(h)ummerchild's toy
child's toy
jacks and ollies(also fivestones, jackstones)children's game, with jacks and marbles
children's game, with jacks and marbles
jerkersa playground ride
a playground ride
Jinny Greenteetha child-eating ghost
a child-eating ghost
Full A–Z entry →jockeyextra bit of food from storekeeper for children
extra bit of food from storekeeper for children
Full A–Z entry →Judas BurningEaster Week variation on Guy Fawkes burnings
Easter Week variation on Guy Fawkes burnings
Full A–Z entry →jumping figureschildren's game
children's game
Full A–Z entry →kick the can( or: kick-de-can, kick-ther-can)children's game
children's game
kiddenplace where sexual abuse of children occurred
place where sexual abuse of children occurred
kipwackbaby food
baby food
Full A–Z entry →Knock and Runchildren's game
children's game
Full A–Z entry →lazzie and upsgame involving marbles
game involving marbles
Full A–Z entry →littlya child
a child
lollipop mancrossing guard
crossing guard
Full A–Z entry →looking at the deadinviting neighborhood children to wakes
inviting neighborhood children to wakes
Full A–Z entry →ludoindoor children's game
indoor children's game
Full A–Z entry →Moses basketinfant carrier
infant carrier
Full A–Z entry →nurky( also: relievo, kick the can, denio)children's game
children's game
nutpoxringworm
ringworm
olliesmarbles
marbles
Full A–Z entry →one, two, three, alarachildren's game with a bouncing ball
children's game with a bouncing ball
Full A–Z entry →Ow's yer fatherchildren's jump rope song
children's jump rope song
Full A–Z entry →paddywackmeat gristle used as a child's pacifier(dummy)
meat gristle used as a child's pacifier(dummy)
Full A–Z entry →parrota red and white playing marble
a red and white playing marble
Full A–Z entry →piggya children's street game
a children's street game
Full A–Z entry →pinkysmall clay marble
small clay marble
Full A–Z entry →Pitch Pat Pepperrope-skipping game
rope-skipping game
Full A–Z entry →plain,clap, rally, foldchildren's ball game
children's ball game
postman's knockteenage kissing game
teenage kissing game
Full A–Z entry →prisoner's base( relalio, relievo, kick the can, nurky, denio)street game
street game
Robin's Breakfastbreakfast for needy children
breakfast for needy children
Full A–Z entry →sag, to( or: saggin skewl)to play truant
to play truant
scaldyswimming hole
swimming hole
scissorstoy six-shooters
toy six-shooters
scootsroller skates
roller skates
sedate(heavy on ton weight, weak house, Solomon's donkey)children's game
children's game
segsvariant of marbles game
variant of marbles game
shaddlesee saw
see saw
shove halfpennychildren's street game
children's street game
sken holeshiding places in alley walls
hiding places in alley walls
skippin leckiesriding trains without paying
riding trains without paying
Solomon's donkey( sedate, weak house, heavy on ton weight)children's game
children's game
Sorbo ballchild's bouncing ball
child's bouncing ball
stoniesmarbles
marbles
sunbeamschildren who are church-bound
children who are church-bound
tanner-meggersmall football
small football
Full A–Z entry →tickgame of tag
game of tag
Full A–Z entry →tiddlersinfants
infants
tip-cat( or: bouncy, knurr, spell)children's batting game
children's batting game
ton weight heavy on( Solomon's donkey, sedate, weak house)children's game
children's game
twoera kind of playing marble
a kind of playing marble
utneyleap frog
leap frog
Full A–Z entry →water-tight doordiaper, nappy
diaper, nappy
Full A–Z entry →Whip behind!stealing rides on the backs of vehicles
stealing rides on the backs of vehicles
Full A–Z entry →CHILDREN: SAYINGS
Born, we didden know we was(Oh, those were the days!)
Listed in this collection only.
That will be a pig's foot in the morning(said to help a child bear up with a minor injury)
Listed in this collection only.
Parent to childDon't come running to me when you break both your legs.
Don't come running to me when you break both your legs.
Parental warningkeep that up, boyo, and you'll have a thick ear!
keep that up, boyo, and you'll have a thick ear!
Parental exasperationYe tinker's scut, yer!
Ye tinker's scut, yer!
A child's assertion of privilege:…
Bags the leftovers(I have first rights to the leftovers) Bags I sit next ter Mum( I get to sit next to mother)
Friendship from a non-parental adultI won't be yer mam but I will be ya mate.
I won't be yer mam but I will be ya mate.
Parents to childrenChance is a fine thing.
Chance is a fine thing.
Parent to an endlessly inquisitive childAsk Father Fleck
Ask Father Fleck
Parents on protecting their childrenI want to put a big mushroom around my child, knowing all of what is out there.
I want to put a big mushroom around my child, knowing all of what is out there.
An adult's memoryMouth Almighty, as me mam used to call me....
Mouth Almighty, as me mam used to call me....
PARENT TO CHILD
Sleep on the edge of the bed, and you'll soon drop off
Listed in this collection only.
Up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire: up the stairs to bed…
Or: up the dancers! Or: up the apples and pears
Lift that chin, before you trip on it!…
Yer'll trip over that face! Or: straighten your face, it's freezing out. Or: what's wrong with you? You've got a face like a slapped arse. Or: you've got a face like a wet Echo Or: you've got a face like a wet weekend Straighten your face or I'll straighten it for you. Wipe that gob off your face.
To the question "what's for dinner?": cow's shit and onions, or shit, shit, and onions…
Or: Shit, with a big spoon Or: Shit with sugar on Or: If it. What's if it? If it goes round, you'll get a bit. If it doesn't, you don't. Or: to the question "What's for tea?": Windmill cake--if it goes round, you'll get some. Or: three runs round the table, and a kick at the table leg.
To the question "where did you get that?": I found it on a doorstep and a Bobby gave it to me.…
Run round to the shops and get us ten pounds of spuds. Just put them in your cap Or: (when being sent to the store): don't let them give you any Polish eggs(which is something like being told in America not to take any wooden nickels.
To a child racing about or who has done something quickly: "Whip It Quick the Cat Burglar." Or: You're in and out, like a fart in a colander…
Or: if you took their seat when they left the room for a minute: would you be as quick in my grave? Or: (quick) like a blue-arsed fly
To the child's question "What are you doing?": a wim-wam for winding up the sun. Wim wam has long been a word for something foolish or trivial.…
Or: a gift lad, and only the gifted know how. Or: Laos for medlas and a wigwams to wind the sun up with
To the question "How old are you": as old as my little finger and a little bit older than my teeth…
Or: I'm as old as me tongue, and a little bit older than me teeth
If a child cried, a parent might saycarry on. The more you cry, the less you'll pee.
carry on. The more you cry, the less you'll pee.
If a child finds something which was hiddencan't keep anything around here. If I took my eyeballs out and put it here, you would still find them.
can't keep anything around here. If I took my eyeballs out and put it here, you would still find them.
If they were noisyChildren should be seen and not heard, like pictures on the wall.
Children should be seen and not heard, like pictures on the wall.
If they had made a messif you're born ina pigsty it doesn't make you a pig. Jesus was born in a stable, He wasn't a horse.
if you're born ina pigsty it doesn't make you a pig. Jesus was born in a stable, He wasn't a horse.
If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me.…
Or: if you get lost, don't come crying to me If you don't stop stopping, I'm going to take you home. If they havenn't got your size, get something that fits.
If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way.…
Or: be careful, if a frost comes, you face will stay like that.
How did you get here? You were found under a cabbage leaf or brought by the stork…
Or: a mystery packet, a penny one, not an apenny one
When that lawn-mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.
Listed in this collection only.
If the children don't want to eat: You don't eat, you don't shit; you don't shit, you soon die…
Or: Think of all the right arms you could have. What do you mean? Hundreds of little starving kids would give their right arms for that.
One parent's post-meal prayer of thanksThank Christ that's over.
Thank Christ that's over.
Parent to child on moneywhat can you do when you're poor? You can't rob a bank! Children: not bloody much!
what can you do when you're poor? You can't rob a bank! Children: not bloody much!
At table with bread: eat all your crusts, and you will get curly hair…
If you put a stale crust of bread in the fire: you're feeding the devil; if you dropped a slice of bread on the floor: God bless the bread, before the devil eats it
About carrotseat them, and you will see in the dark
eat them, and you will see in the dark
At the dinner table or in parlorsit right!
sit right!
To any question "Why?"Y is a crooked letter and you can't straighten it
Y is a crooked letter and you can't straighten it
Oh, I love you so much, I could even kiss your bum!…
Or: God bless yer little cotton socks.
Thought? You know what thought didplanted a feather and thought it would grow into a chicken.
planted a feather and thought it would grow into a chicken.
A surprised parent might say "Well slap me in the face with a finnon haddie."
Listed in this collection only.
To a child who won't or can't shut upYou've got a gob like the Mersey Tunnel.
You've got a gob like the Mersey Tunnel.
From a teacher to students whose shoes or hands were not clean: You will end up being a ragman's bugler…
Or: is that a tide mark around your neck? Or: when was the last time you washed your ears? They've got spuds in them.
A parent who asked a question, but no one was paying attentionno answer green lady
no answer green lady
A warning: Do that again and I'll knock seven bells out of you.…
Or: I'll knock you into next Sunday Or: I'll knock you flying! Or: you're headin for a Chinese burn Or: I'll marbelize (marmalize) you Or: I'll splificate you Or: I'll kill you stone dead Or: I'll toss you spinning Or: come here while I give you a clout
If you don't wipe the smile off your face, you'll be smiling with the back of your neck.…
All this laughing and you'll be crying before it's bedtime
You won't be happy till they carry me off in a box.
Listed in this collection only.
CHILDREN TO CHILDREN: SAYINGS AND WORD GAMES
1. Who Are You?
Listed in this collection only.
Where do you live?…
Down the grid! What number? Cucumber! What house? Pan of scouse! What street? Pig's feet!
Or: What's your name?…
Mary Jane! Where jer live? Down the grid! What street? Pig's feet! What's your number? Cucumber!
Or: What door?…
Forty four.
2. Want to Hear a Poem?
Listed in this collection only.
I saw a man who was not there.…
He was not there again tooday. I wish that man would go away.
Or: The corporation muck cart was full up to the brim,…
The band legged driver fell in and could not swim. He sank to the bottom just like a piece of stone. And all the fishes said, "There's no place like home." They flung him on a stretcher, they flung him on a bed, They rubbed his belly with a two pound jelly, And this sis what they said: "Rule Britannia, two tanners make a bob...."
Or: God made all creatures that creep and crawl,…
Lancashire Constabulary employs them all.
Or: Sleepy bed fell out of the bed,…
The bed fell over sleepy head
Or: How much oil does a gum boil boil…
When a gum boil doesn't boil oil? No oil does a gum boil, Cos a gum boil doesn't boil oil!
Or (to a peer who has squealed or revealed a secret): Clat tail tit,…
Yer tongue is gonno split (or: you don't know all of it) And all the little dicky birds (or: the little doggies) Are gonna have a bit. (or: and all the dogs in the street/shall have a little bit)
Or: On the mountain stands a lady,…
Who she is I do not know. All llshe wants is gold and silver, All she wants is a nice young man, So call in my very best friend, very best friend, very best friend, Call in my very best friend, While I go go out to play.
Or: Yum yum, pig's bum…
Wrapped up in chewing gum Take a slice Very nice
Or: Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo…
Sit the baby on the po. When he hollers let him go, Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo (or: When he's done, wipe his bum, Show his father what he's done)
Or: One Two Three…
Me mother caught a flea. She put it in a teapot And made a cup of tea. The flea jumped out Me mother gave a shout. Here's comes the Bobby With his shirt hanging out.
Or: Yerrokay, and worrabouh…
One two, three, Mother caught a flea She purrit it in the teapot Ter make a cuppa tea. The flea jumped out, And Johnny give shout, An along cum a copper wiv is shert angin out.
Or: One morning in September,…
Last October in July, The sun lay thick upon the ground, The mud shone in the sky. The flowers were sweetly singing, The birds were in full bloom, When I went down the cellar steps To sweep the upstairs room.
Or: Twas in the month of Liverpool…
In the city of July The rain was snowing heavily And all the streets were dry
Or: The elephant is a bonny bird…
It flits from bough to bough It makes its nest in a rhubarb tree And whistles like a cow
Or: Where you goin, cock?…
Down the lane, cock. What for, cock? To buy a shuttlecock. Let's come cock. No, cock. Why, cock? Cos you'll pinch me shuttlecock.
Or: I'll tell me ma when I get home,…
The boys won't leave the girls alone. They pull me hair, they call me names, And they won't let me play their games. She was handsome, she was pretty. She was the belle of Belfast City.
Or: Pounds, shillings and pence,…
The monkey jumped over the fence, The fence it was sticky, It stuck to his micky. Pounds, shilling and pence.
Or: Inky pinky plonky,…
Daddy bought a donkey. Donkey died, Daddy cried, Inky pinky plonky.
Or: Billy Mac…
Had a kak Right in the middle of his back!
Or: Sally Ann…
Fryin pan Stuck her head in a jar of jam When she's dead Boil her ead And make her into gingerbread
Or: Strike a light, strike a light…
Unny ferra minute. Owwa Eddie's pissed deh bed Annam lyin innih.
Or (from an autograph book): I dreamt that I died and to heaven did go…
Where I came from they wanted to know. When i said Liverpool oh how they did stare, And said "come in quick, you're the first one from there."
Or (from an autograph book): The good king needed a sword,…
To make him a belted knight. His wife only needed a poker, To make him an angel bright.
Or (from an autograph book): First will come love.…
Next will come marriage. Then soon you'll be Pushing a baby carriage.
Or (from an autograph book): Good, better, best.…
Let it never rest, Until your Good be Better, And your Better, Best.
Or (children can be wonderfully disgusting): Yeller matter custard, (or yeller beller custard)…
Green snot pie, All mixed together With a dead dog's eye. Spread it on a butty, Spread it on thick, And swallow it down, With a cup of cold sick.
CHILDREN'S SONGS, CHANTS
We three kings of Leh-hester Square,…
Selling knickers, thripence a pair, How fantastic, no el-a-astic! Why don't yer buy a pair to wear!
Or: I work down, in the pawnshop there…
Shifting away the things, Till the sweat drops off me brow. You ought to see the things, the people bring to pawn. I would like to burn them all, when the boss is gone. Every night I pinch a parcel, every night, And I take it home to me mother every night, Silver watches, silver spoons and pantaloons as well, I take them home to me mother every night.
Or: 3,6,9…
The goose drank wine, The monkey chewed tobacco on the streets of carline Line broke, the monkey got choked, and they all went to heaven in a little row boat.
Or: Lazy Mary, had a Canary, up the leg of her drawers…
She pulled them down for half a crown And has never been seen anymore Or: Me auntie Mary, had a canary Up the leg of her drawers. She pulled them down for half a crown And send them to Santa Claus Or: and when she farted it departed, Down the leg of her drawers
Or: Auntie Mary had a canary…
Up the leg of her drawers While she was sleepin' we were peepin' Up the leg of her drawers
Second verse, same as the first,…
A little bit louder and a little bit worse!
Or: Ee by gum…
Does yer belly touch yer bum Do yer tits hang low Can yer tie them in a bow Can yer throw them over yer shoulder Like a regimental soldier
Or: Do ya tits hand low…
Do they wobble to and frow, Can ya tie em in a knot, Can ya tie em in a bow Can ya slingem over ya shoulder Like a regimental soldier Do ya tits hang low.
Or: Let's sing a song of Liverpool,…
A shanty rolling free. Of ships and docks and sailormen And hearts filled with the sea. Of quest, adventure, love and fame; Homecoming andfarewell, There's magic in our Liverpool, Our first Port of Call. We're loyal sons of Liverpool Til the last ship of all. To God we praise for happy days, Good working days and holidays. And good days for Liverpool And the best luck of all.
Or: The big ship sails on the alley-alley O…
The alley-alley O, the alley-alley O, The big ship sails on the alley-alley O, On the last day of September. We all dip our heads in the deep blue sea, The deep blue sea, the deep blue sea. We all dip our heads in the deep blue sea, On the last day of September ( The alley-o may refer to the Manchester ship canal, but Irish children used to call the sea the "Illey Alley O," which is probably what the phrase refers to)