Daddy help child sip milk from a china cup as Mommy watches on

Sippity Sippity Sup (Bread and Milk)

Sippity sup, sippity sup,
Bread and milk from a china cup.
Bread and milk from a bright silver spoon,
Made of a piece of the bright silver moon.
Sippity sup, sippity sup,
Sippity, sippity sup.

Listen as male American:

Listen as female British:

Listen as told in a story:

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Meaning

This gentle, rhythmic verse celebrates a child’s meal—bread and milk—served from a beautiful china cup and a silver spoon. The fanciful image that the spoon is made from the “bright silver moon” adds a whimsical, comforting touch. The rhyme conjures visions of warmth, nurture, and a sense of magical delight in simple daily rituals.

Origin

“Sippity sup” is a traditional English nursery rhyme first published in 19th-century collections. It is often associated with songs for babies or toddlers because of its soothing tone and repetitive language, designed to comfort and entertain during mealtime.

Time Period

First documented in the Victorian era, the rhyme remains popular in nursery and early childhood settings today.

Why It Became Popular

Its easy repetition, gentle rhythm, and comforting imagery make it ideal for teaching young children about familiar objects and routines. The rhyme’s lyricism makes it soothing as a lullaby or mealtime chant.

Structure and Style

Meter: Bouncy, repetitive rhythm
Rhyme Scheme: AABBAA
Line Count: Six lines (commonly performed as four)
Style Notes: Gentle, nurturing, whimsical

Themes

Nurture and comfort
Daily rituals
Magic in the ordinary
Mealtime routine

Language Notes

“Sippity sup” uses repetition for musicality and internal rhyme. Imagery relies on household objects made special through creative description.

Moral or Lesson

The rhyme encourages appreciation of everyday comfort, nurturing, and imagination in forming routines for children.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The rhyme reflects Victorian-era domesticity and the emphasis on family mealtimes as important social rituals. Its moon imagery connects folklore and home life.

Notable Variants

Some versions feature different household objects or emphasize nighttime comfort, further linking the rhyme to lullabies and bedtime routines.

Appearances in Media or Literature

“Sippity Sup” appears in many nursery rhyme anthologies, preschool lesson plans, and is often recited during feeding or comforting routines in homes and classrooms.

Suggested Activities

Mealtime Chant: Recite the rhyme to create a soothing, joyful eating atmosphere.
Art Project: Draw the rhyme’s imagery—china cup, silver spoon, moon.
Lullaby Time: Use as a gentle chant before sleep.
Imaginative Play: Pretend the spoon and cup are made from magical materials, inspiring creative stories.

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