Bo Peep February 17, 2017 All Rhymes 0 Comments

Little Nancy Etticoat

Little Nancy Etticoat
In a white petticoat,
And a red nose.
The longer she stands
The shorter she grows.

Comment:

This rhyme is a riddle.
Can you tell me what it is?

Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Historical & Traditional, Mother Goose Classics

Tagged candle, flame, little girl, nose, petticoat, riddle

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Meaning

This rhyme is actually a riddle. “Little Nancy Etticoat” stands for a burning candle: the “white petticoat” is the candle’s body, the “red nose” is the flame, and as the candle burns (“stands”), it grows shorter. The rhyme cleverly encapsulates the mystery and transformation of an everyday object using whimsical imagery.

Origin

First documented in 19th-century nursery rhyme collections, this riddle likely has older roots in English oral tradition, passed down as a playful challenge for children.

Time Period

Appearing in print from the early to mid-1800s, with probable earlier existence in the oral tradition of riddles and rhymes.

Why It Became Popular

Its simple riddle format and vivid imagery attract children’s curiosity and imagination, encouraging them to think critically and solve puzzles while having fun.

Structure and Style

Meter: Iambic, with a rhythmic riddle cadence
Rhyme Scheme: ABBCCB (in common variants)
Line Count: 6
Style Notes: Riddle, personification, descriptive clues

Themes

Riddles and puzzles
Transformation and change
Personification
Observation of everyday objects

Language Notes

Personifies a candle using playful and creative descriptors like “white petticoat” and “red nose,” enhancing vocabulary and metaphorical thinking.

Moral or Lesson

Encourages observation and creative problem-solving by finding answers in ordinary objects.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The rhyme has appeared in classic collections such as The Real Mother Goose and is one of many personification riddles popular in English children’s folklore. Its playful ambiguity made it a favorite both as a recited rhyme and an interactive guessing game.

Notable Variants

Variants may alter the name (“Nanny” or “Nan”) or slightly change the clues, but the core riddle remains the same.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Found in nursery rhyme books, anthologies of riddles, and educational resources teaching metaphor and critical thinking.

Suggested Activities

Riddle Game: Recite the rhyme and invite children to guess the answer.
Art Project: Draw “Nancy Etticoat” as described and then reveal a candle.
Wordplay Challenge: Invent new rhymes describing other everyday objects as riddles.
History Lesson: Explore the use and importance of candles in history and storytelling.
Puppetry: Make a simple candle puppet and act out the rhyme.

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Little Nancy Etticoat

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