The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PASTIME

THE FOLLOWING IS A VERSE SUNG AND PLAYED BY YOUNG CHILDREN. IT IS
ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS HAND MOTIONS WHICH ARE PLAYED AGAINST A
SECOND PERSON'S BACK. MM
GOING ON A TREASURE HUNT
X MARKS THE SPOT.
DOT, DOT, DASH, DASH, QUESTION MARK.
POKE HER HERE,
POKE HER THERE.
CLIMBING UP THE LADDER,
STEP BY STEP,
GUSHING THROUGH THE MUD.
COOL OCEAN BREEZE.
TIGHT SQUEEZE.
AND NOW YOU HAVE THE CHILLS.

Submitter comment: THIS VERSE WAS FIRST HEARD BY THE COLLECTOR IN 1976 FROM A GRADE
SCHOOL AGE SISTER. THIS IS USUALLY CONSIDERED A PASTIME. HOWEVER,
WHEN THE OBJECT IS TO GIVE THE PERSON THE CHILLS, A GOAL IS
ESTABLISHED AND SUCCESS DEPENDS ON ITS ACHIEVEMENT. THE HAND
MOTIONS CORRELATE TO THE LINES SUNG. HERE, GUSHING IS AN EXAMPLE
OF AN ONOMATOPEIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE

James Callow Keyword(s): ONOMATOPEIA: GUSHING

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 06-00-1976

View just this record