What Happened in the Nursery Rhyme? Quiz

Answer: jump over the candlestick

This was first published in 1798. The "Jack" in this rhyme is thought by many to be an English pirate, nicknamed Black Jack. As for the candlestick, this may refer to a version of a game called "fire jumping."

Answer: they were baked in a pie

There are many theories about the origin of these lyrics. The first verse was published in 1744, although in that version there were naughty boys in the pie instead of the birds.

Answer: whipped them all soundly, and sent them to bed.

This was published in 1794. Some thought Queen Caroline, of England, who had eight children, may have been the woman in the poem. Others suggest it is about Queen Caroline's husband, King George II. He was sometimes called an "old woman" - because Caroline was thought to be the true force behind the throne.

Answer: pretty maids, all in a row

Some think that this 1744 poem is about Mary, Queen of Scots. According to this theory, her garden is her realm, the silver bells are church bells, and the pretty maids are her ladies-in-waiting.

Answer: Brown bread and butter

This 1744 poem is thought to be about orphans, since "Tommy Tucker" was a popular nickname for orphans. It is also thought that the rhyme may have been a cruel taunt to an orphan, since brown bread and butter would have been too expensive to be fed to an orphan.

Answer: She was horrid

This poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It's been said he wrote this poem while walking up and down the hall, while soothing his baby daughter.

Answer: he ran down

This 1744 rhyme is thought to have been a counting rhyme, and originally had verses for up to four o'clock. It is also interesting to note that hickory, dickory and dock are derived from the Celtic words for numbers eight, nine and ten.

Answer: Little Tommy Stout

William Shakespeare used the phrase "ding dong bell" in several of his plays. In these plays, it may have been meant to represent sound effects. But in the original version of this nursery rhyme, the poor kitty is left to drown. I'm thankful it was re-written.

Answer: jiggety jog

This song first appeared in 1805, based on the traditional activity of going to market. The song was used by children to play a game where they would "go to market" and come home with "groceries."

Answer: she cut off their tails with a carving knife

This is another rhyme which is believed to be based on Queen Mary 1 of England. The "mice" in the song might refer to three famous noblemen who would not renounce their faith. Although she didn't blind them or cut off any body parts, she did burn them at the stake.