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| Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, all the king's horses, and all the king's men, Couldn't put Humpty together again. Scholars of linguistics believe this rhyme to be about 500 years old and may have mocked a nobleman who fell from high favor with the 15th century British monarch Richard III. From England, the rhyme spread to several European countries, where it's leading character changed from 'Humpty Dumpty' to 'Thille Lille' (Sweden), "Boule Boule" (France). In the 1600's, 'Humpty Dumpty' became the name of a hot toddy of ale and brandy, and 150 years later, it entered British vernacular as 'short, clumsy person of either sex'. ~ Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. |
| Humpty Dumpty |
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