Taffy was a Welshman facts for kids

"Taffy was a Welshman" is an old English language nursery rhyme. It became well-known between the 1700s and 1900s. The rhyme used a nickname, "Taffy," for people from Wales. It is listed in the Roud Folk Song Index as number 19237.

What the Rhyme Says

There are a few different versions of this rhyme. Here are some common ones:

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief;
Taffy came to my house and stole a leg of beef;
I went to Taffy's house and Taffy was in bed;
I upped with the jerry pot and hit him on the head.

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief;
Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy wasn't in;
I jumped upon his Sunday hat and poked it with a pin.

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a sham;
Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of lamb;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was away,
I stuffed his socks with sawdust and filled his shoes with clay.

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a cheat,
Taffy came to my house, and stole a piece of meat;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not there,
I hung his coat and trousers to roast before a fire.

The Rhyme's History

Why Was This Rhyme Made?

This rhyme comes from a time when people sometimes made fun of different groups. "Taffy" was a common nickname for a Welsh person. The rhyme tells a silly story about someone taking food and then the other person trying to get even. It's important to remember that this rhyme is very old. It shows how people sometimes used to think about others. Today, we know it's not fair to make fun of people based on where they come from.

When Was It Popular?

The rhyme became popular around the late 1700s. It was sung and shared for many years. It was a common part of children's songs for a long time. Even though it's not as well-known today, it's still part of history. It helps us understand how language and ideas have changed over time.