Two rough little boys vs two nice little girls

What are Little Boys Made Of?

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails,
That’s what little boys are made of.
…
What are little girls made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice,
That’s what little girls are made of.

Listen as female British:

Listen as Male American:

Listen as told in a story:

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Meaning

This nursery rhyme playfully defines little boys with lively, rough imagery (“snips and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails”) and little girls with sweetness and goodness (“sugar and spice and everything nice”). It is meant as humorous comparison, but also reflects 19th-century stereotypes and cultural expectations about the personalities and behaviors of boys versus girls.

Origin

The rhyme dates from the early 19th century (circa 1820), attributed to English literary tradition rather than a single author. It appears in many early collections such as A Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes and The Baby’s Opera, and is also known under the theme “Natural History” in 19th-century anthologies.

Time Period

In wide circulation since its first documented printings in the 1820s–1840s; still used and remembered today, though cultural interpretation has evolved.

Why It Became Popular

Its catchy, repetitive form makes the rhyme easy to learn and fun to recite. The contrast invites joking and discussion, and the vivid images stick in memory from generation to generation.

Structure and Style

Meter: Regular, two short stanzas, easy for children
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: Five lines per stanza, typically repeated or paired
Style Notes: Simple, repetitive, comparison-based

Themes

Gender traits and roles
Comparison and humor
Social norms
Playful exaggeration

Language Notes

The phrase “snips and snails” (sometimes “frogs,” “slugs,” or “snigs”) likely references small, rough, and outdoor things considered “boyish.” The rhyme’s playful tone is contrasted by the sweetness reserved for girls. Modern readers often discuss the cultural effect of this contrast.

Moral or Lesson

Rather than a direct lesson, the rhyme fortifies ideas about gender difference; today it is discussed as much for its social assumptions as its playful content.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The rhyme expresses and perpetuates historical gender stereotypes, and discussions about its impact continue in literary and educational circles. It influenced publishers like Sugar and Snails Press to create non-sexist alternatives in the late 20th century.

Notable Variants

Variants substitute “snips” with “slugs,” “snigs,” or “frogs,” and “everything nice” with “all things nice.” Occasionally, stanzas for other groups (e.g., sailors, babies, mothers, fathers) are added.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Frequently appears in Mother Goose collections, children’s books, and pop culture references. Modern adaptations may alter the rhyme to avoid gender stereotypes, or use it as a springboard for creative writing.

Suggested Activities

Creative Writing: Invite children to invent new stanzas about themselves or others.
Discussion: Use the rhyme to talk about gender roles, both past and present.
Art Project: Illustrate the rhyme with contrasting scenes for boys and girls.
Music & Drama: Perform the rhyme as a chant or playful skit in class.

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