A barber shaves a pig to make a wig

Barber Barber Shave a Pig

Barber, barber, shave a pig.
How many hairs to make a wig?
Four and twenty, that’s enough.
Give the barber a pinch of snuff.

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Posted in All Rhymes, Mother Goose Classics, Nonsensical, Traditional

Tagged barber, occupation, pig, shave, wig

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5 days ago

Similar silly barber rhymes involving animals (by Bo Peep):

Barber, barber, trim a whale.
Cut his fins and comb his tail.
“What’s the charge?” the whale did cry.
“Seven shillings, wet or dry.”

Barber, barber, polish a fox.
Mend the holes right in his socks.
“What’s the price for such a shine?”
“Just a map where chickens dine!”

Can you think of any more?

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Meaning

This is a nonsense rhyme, delighting children with its silly premise of shaving a pig to make a wig. The rhyme playfully asks how many coarse pig hairs could make a wig, giving the absurd answer “four and twenty” (24). The last line, “Give the barber a pinch of snuff,” refers to the old habit of offering snuff (powdered tobacco for sniffing) as a small thank-you, adding another comical historical detail. The rhyme is meant to amuse and entertain, not to convey a literal or moral lesson.

Origin

Dating to at least the 18th century, this rhyme appears in early Mother Goose collections and English nursery anthologies. Barbers in old times often performed many odd jobs beyond just hairdressing, and the rhyme exaggerates these roles for humorous effect.

Time Period

Found in printed collections from the 1700s and maintained in children’s rhyme books through the Victorian era and beyond.

Why It Became Popular

Its short, quirky lines and farcical scenario make it easily remembered and performed, appealing to children’s love of absurdity and play with language.

Structure and Style

Meter: Short, bouncy, repetitive for easy recitation
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: Four lines
Style Notes: Nonsense rhyme, question and answer

Themes

Absurdity and humor
Nonsense and wordplay
Traditional professions

Language Notes

Phrases like “four and twenty” (old-fashioned for 24) and “pinch of snuff” reflect historical English language and customs. The question-and-answer structure is common in traditional children’s rhymes.

Moral or Lesson

No moral; the rhyme is designed for amusement and playful engagement with silly ideas.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The mention of a barber’s odd jobs (like shaving a pig or making wigs) is a humorous nod to their varied historical duties, and “snuff” serves as a cultural marker for the era in which the rhyme was popular.

Notable Variants

Occasionally, the answer line is “Then pat the pig with the powder puff.” Most versions retain the question-and-answer form and the focus on the absurdity of shaving a pig for wig hair.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Frequently found in classic Mother Goose and English nursery rhyme books, and often included in modern collections of nonsense rhymes for children.

Suggested Activities

Imaginative Play: Dramatize the rhyme or draw a scene of a barber and pig.
History Discussion: Learn about the old-time roles of barbers in village life.
Rhyme Writing: Make up your own silly “barber” rhymes or questions.

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