See, See! What Shall I See?

See, See! What Shall I See?

See, see! What shall I see?
A horse’s head where his tail should be.

Listen as female British:

Listen as male American:

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Posted in All Rhymes, Animals, Humor, Mother Goose Classics

Tagged horse, observation, riddle, see, tail

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Meaning

This brief, riddle-style rhyme presents a playful and absurd image—a horse with its head and tail reversed—to amuse and surprise children. It uses the language of seeing and discovery to encourage curiosity and laughter, illustrating early English fondness for topsy-turvy jokes and visual wordplay.

Origin

The rhyme is traditional English, with earliest references found in 19th-century nursery rhyme collections. It is closely associated with the Mother Goose canon and may descend from oral riddles or short verses used to incite guessing and amusement in domestic and classroom settings.

Time Period

Published in print since at least the mid-to-late 1800s, with probable earlier oral variations.

Why It Became Popular

Its silly imagery and easy-to-recite length make it ideal for quick fun and memorization. The rhyme is a favorite in collections for its absurdity, engagement, and riddle-like challenge.

Structure and Style

Meter: Simple, rhythmic couplet
Rhyme Scheme: AA
Line Count: Two lines
Style Notes: Riddle rhyme, concise, playful

Themes

Topsy-turvy humor
Riddles and guessing
Absurdity and surprise
Visual imagination

Language Notes

“See, see!” acts as an introductory prompt, inviting discovery or close attention by listeners. The language is direct, suitable for quick recitation.

Moral or Lesson

No explicit lesson; it introduces children to lateral thinking and the fun of nonsense imagery.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Often anthologized in British and American nursery rhyme books, it exemplifies the Victorian and Edwardian taste for brevity and wit. Rhyme collections used verses like this for interactive recitation and early education.

Notable Variants

Most versions retain the same text. Rare alternatives might replace the animal or reverse other body parts.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Included in standard nursery rhyme collections, especially those citing Mother Goose or classic English verse. Occasionally recalled in educational contexts for teaching riddle structure and playful imagery.

Suggested Activities

Riddle Time: Use the rhyme to prompt guessing or create new silly verses.
Drawing Game: Illustrate what the rhyme describes—horses with swapped head and tail.
Performance: Recite as part of a group rhyme or wordplay session.
Wordplay Extension: Invent other nonsense reversals and perform them aloud.

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