I man stepping into a deep puddle in 18th century England

Doctor Foster

Doctor Foster went to Gloucester
In a shower of rain.
He stepped in a puddle
Right up to his middle,
And never went there again.

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Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Humor, Mother Goose Classics, People & Characters

Tagged doctor, Gloucester, rain, weather

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Meaning:

The rhyme humorously recounts Doctor Foster’s misfortune on a rainy trip to Gloucester, where he steps into a deep puddle and vows never to return. Its exaggerated imagery and abrupt ending make it memorable for children.

Some scholars suggest it may have originated as a satirical verse about King Edward I, who was rumored to have fallen into a ditch in Gloucester, but this remains speculative.

Origin:

English in origin, likely tied to Gloucestershire and nearby regions. It first appeared in oral tradition before being formally collected in print.

Time Period:

Earliest known in the 16th or 17th century, with the modern version recorded in the 19th century as part of the standard nursery rhyme canon.

Why It Became Popular:

Short and humorous
Simple rhythm and rhyme make it easy for children to recite
Linked to well-known historical towns like Gloucester, which gave it cultural familiarity

First Known Publication:

Published in 1844 in The Nursery Rhymes of England by James Orchard Halliwell, though it was likely known for centuries before that.

Structure and Style:

Meter: Trochaic tetrameter (with variations)
Rhyme Scheme: AABA
Line Count: 4 lines
Style Notes: Combines narrative with a comic twist; the use of place names anchors it in a recognizable setting.

Themes:

Travel mishaps
Humor and embarrassment
Cautionary undertones

Language Notes:

The rhyme preserves the older pronunciation of Gloucester (rhymes with “Foster”), which in modern English is pronounced “Gloster”.
“Right up to his middle” emphasizes the physical discomfort and comedic exaggeration.

Moral or Lesson:

Lesson implied: Be cautious when traveling in bad weather (or in unfamiliar places). However, the rhyme’s main purpose is humor rather than instruction.

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Doctor Foster

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