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18 Dec 14 - 08:18 AM (#3686777) Subject: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: Tiger I know she's in The Fox" but where does the name come from? Common jargon? Just a nonsensical made-up name? Or, is there more to it? Like, perhaps, a parody of some person. |
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18 Dec 14 - 08:34 AM (#3686781) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: G-Force Probably refers to the bosoms of a lady getting up in the night in just a nightgown. |
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18 Dec 14 - 09:51 AM (#3686793) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: MGM·Lion Flopping round the house in loose slippers is the image I always get. Some versions give "Slipper-Slopper" instead, I believe. ≈M≈ |
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18 Dec 14 - 09:56 AM (#3686795) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: Lighter But it isn't that kind of song. Earlier versions have "Old Mother Widdle Waddle." If they mean anything, both names imply a clumsy or noisy gait. |
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18 Dec 14 - 10:02 AM (#3686797) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: MGM·Lion In Joseph Ritson's Gammer Gurton's Garland (1810), the song is recorded under the name "Dame Widdle Waddle": "Old Mother Widdle Waddle jumpt out of bed" The YT version on So Cheerfully Round calls her Slipper-Slopper -- or possibly Slibber-Slobber[?] |
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18 Dec 14 - 10:19 AM (#3686804) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: Lighter Is she wearing flip-flops? "Kids today" may think so. |
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18 Dec 14 - 10:26 AM (#3686807) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: Brian Peters I always assumed she was an inconsistent politician. |
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18 Dec 14 - 11:32 AM (#3686832) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: GUEST,leeneia I assume her husband was German and her name resembles Aschenbrenner or Hinterstocker, just two German names I know of that have that form. |
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18 Dec 14 - 02:54 PM (#3686896) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: Steve Gardham Ask Gammer Gurton. 9 times out of ten these nonsense pieces of alliteration are just that, nonsense! |
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19 Dec 14 - 10:55 AM (#3687132) Subject: RE: Origins: Old mother flipper-flopper? From: GUEST,leeneia I agree, actually. It's pure fun to sing 'old Mother Flipperflopper.' |