Origins: 'Stop tha' whittlin', Jack'

Subject: Origins: 'Stop tha' whittlin', Jack'
From: MW (music)
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 07:28 AM

Does anybody remember the phrase "Stop tha' whittlin', Jack"?!

I used a similar phrase when chatting amiably to a relative the other day (a jokey "Stop tha' chunterin'"!), & they recognised it too. Then we both began to wonder WHERE we knew the phrase from & what its origins were, as neither of us could remember where we had heard it. All we could remember was it was very old.

Is it perhaps an old music hall song? a nursery rhyme?

Any ideas?!

Subject: RE: Origins: 'Stop tha' whittlin', Jack'
From: Effsee
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 08:00 AM

"Stop your tickling Jock"?

Subject: RE: Origins: 'Stop tha' whittlin', Jack'
From: MW (music)
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 09:46 AM

Bingo!

Yes, Effsee, I think that's it! As the 'Jock' song is a true old familiar. 108 years old, to be precise: wow!

The phrase must have been reworded ,-) over the years so could be used in a different context. Not to mention in a different vernacular: using the Yorkshire "tha'" rather than the Scottish "yer".

(BTW, I found the original lyrics at: Stop Yer Tickling, Jock! )

So: question asked & answered. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Origins: 'Stop tha' whittlin', Jack'
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 10:35 AM

Shortest thread ever? Result! Same thing came to my mind but Effsee beat me to it. Worth going on to explore the Harry Lauder songs website which has been mentioned in other threads on here. (Link on the page MW gave link to)