I think that Ring-a-ring-a-roses does probably originate from the Black Death. My uni dissertation was about the economic and social effects of Black Death and lots of books I read went into the meaning of the rhyme:
Ring-a-ring-a-roses = spots/boils that appeared on the face of the victim
A pocket full of poses = literally a bag containing herbs etc, which had a dual purpose; firstly it was believed that the herbs could act as an antidote and secondly it was also believed to be used to disguise the smell of the boils and pustules.
Attishoo, Attishoo - sneezing was the first sign that you had the most virulent strain of Black Death
We all fall down - if you were struck down by the most virulent strain, you were likely to die with 24-48 hours.
You probably didn't want me to share this with you, did you?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge_is_falling_down
I think that Ring-a-ring-a-roses does probably originate from the Black Death. My uni dissertation was about the economic and social effects of Black Death and lots of books I read went into the meaning of the rhyme:
Ring-a-ring-a-roses = spots/boils that appeared on the face of the victim
A pocket full of poses = literally a bag containing herbs etc, which had a dual purpose; firstly it was believed that the herbs could act as an antidote and secondly it was also believed to be used to disguise the smell of the boils and pustules.
Attishoo, Attishoo - sneezing was the first sign that you had the most virulent strain of Black Death
We all fall down - if you were struck down by the most virulent strain, you were likely to die with 24-48 hours.
You probably didn't want me to share this with you, did you?