Nursery rhymes: originally meant for adults?

[nq:1]It is said that many of the nursery rhymes were originally bawdy songs dealing with sexual themes. Has this area been explored? Does anyone know any material available online on this? I would like people to share their knowledge on this matter.[/nq]
"It is said" by whom? The usual (false) claim is that they were bits of historic, political or social commentary. The scholars who actually

There are many books on nursery rhymes. Here are two that may interest you.

The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes by Iona and Peter Archibald Opie. Annotated Mother Goose by William S. Baring-Gould.

The first one is a good scholarly text, always trying to record the first appearance of the rhyme. The second is okay but could be better.

Matt

[nq:1]It is said that many of the nursery rhymes were originally bawdy songs dealing with sexual themes. Has this area been explored? Does anyone know any material available online on this? I would like people to share their knowledge on this matter. Thanking in anticipation[/nq]
I am trying to work out that thing with Miss Muffet and the spider but am unfamiliar with arachnid sexual perversio

[nq:2]It is said that many of the nursery rhymes were ... to share their knowledge on this matter. Thanking in anticipation[/nq]
[nq:1]I am trying to work out that thing with Miss Muffet and the spider but am unfamiliar with arachnid sexual perversions. Georgy Porgy is easier.[/nq]
As is popping weasels.

sand wrote on 20 Nov 2003:
[nq:2]It is said that many of the nursery rhymes were ... to share their knowledge on this matter. Thanking in anticipation[/nq]
[nq:1]I am trying to work out that thing with Miss Muffet and the spider but am unfamiliar with arachnid sexual perversions. Georgy Porgy is easier.[/nq]
Little Jack Horner, stuck in his corner, is easiest, though.

[nq:1]It is said that many of the nursery rhymes were originally bawdy songs dealing with sexual themes. Has this area been explored? Does anyone know any material available online on this? I would like people to share their knowledge on this matter.[/nq]
Try "The Uses of Enchantment" by Bruno Bettelheim.

[nq:1]Little Jack Horner, stuck in his corner, is easiest, though.[/nq]
Banbury Cross is easier still.

[nq:2]It is said that many of the nursery rhymes were ... to share their knowledge on this matter. Thanking in anticipation[/nq]
[nq:1]I am trying to work out that thing with Miss Muffet and the spider but am unfamiliar with arachnid sexual perversions. Georgy Porgy is easier.[/nq]
In some arachnid species, the female devours her partner shortly after the *** act. Miss Muffet was safe on t

[nq:1]In some arachnid species, the female devours her partner shortly after the *** act. Miss Muffet was safe on that score since homosexuality in arachnids is unheard of.[/nq]
I fail to get the homosexual connection. Isn't it more in the area of cannibalism?
S&

sand wrote on 20 Nov 2003:
[nq:2]In some arachnid species, the female devours her partner shortly ... on that score since homosexuality in arachnids is unheard of.[/nq]
[nq:1]I fail to get the homosexual connection. Isn't it more in the area of cannibalism?[/nq]
Either the spider was a male and, not being a cannibal by nature, would not have eaten Miss Muffet after copulating with her