> As for nursery rhymes- interesting in an idea propagation sense, but even
> more interesting, and well researched, are jumping rope rhymes- active
> cultural ideoscapes, and out of the mouths of babes....*
....
> *I only have a name- Francelia Butler, whom I am aware of conducting
> extensive research in this area. The elasticity and violence of
> children's doggerel is well known.
Iona and Peter Opie have also published extensive and interesting work in
the field of children's folklore, including jumprope rhymes, nursery
rhymes, and fairy tales (which are in a different category, really, being
generally transmitted by adults). I grew up on their collection _The
Classic Fairy Tales_, which includes many well- and lesser-known stories
along with commentaries on their histories, and with illustrations
collected from centuries of editions. I can't remember the title of their
work I've read that includes jumprope rhymes.
--Eva