An introduction to jokes and rude rhymes

1,353 views · Published 13 October 2016 · 2:39 · Indexed 27 October 2026

Channel: British Library · 2016 · Education

Watch on YouTube

Jokes, taunts, parodies, and rude rhymes will always form a significant part of childhood play, despite some inevitable adult disapproval. References to farts, bums, bras, sex, belching, pregnancy, babies and swearing, while mostly employed to entertain and impress others, also allow children to explore adult themes within a secure environment.

Turning the adult world on its head, children create and impart their own opinions on this culture through their humour. For instance, they frequently mock the media, parodying TV jingles, advertisements and well-known characters. Although the media has often been perceived as a danger to childhood innocence, the fact that children stamp these re-enactments with their own particular nuances indicates that young audiences may not be as passive as many fear.

Introduction by Michael Rosen.

Explore more films along with articles and teaching resources on the British Library’s Playtimes website: http://www.bl.uk/playtimes

More from this channel