The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CIRCLE GAMES

FINNISH CHILDREN PASS A RING AROUND A ROPE; THE PLAYER
IN THE MIDDLE MUST GUESS WHO HAS IT. ALASKAN ESKIMOS
LEARNED RING AROUND THE ROSY FROM MISSIONARIES.
RING AROUND THE ROSY, POCKET FULL OF POSIES MAY HAVE
HAD AN EQUALLY GRISLY BEGINNING (LIKE LONDON BRIDGE).
DURING THE PLAGUES THAT SWEPT EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE
AGES, PEOPLE CARRIED SWEET-SMELLING HERBS AND FLOWERS
AS A SHIELD AGAINST THE DISEASE.

Where learned: "PLAY WORLD SPANS TIME AND SPACE" ; NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SCHOOL BULLETIN ; VOLUME 42 ; NUMBER 15

Date learned: 01-27-1964