ID: 38
Date: 1910 - 2006
Title: Sticks and stones
Gender: Female 
Classification: Taunt 
Rhyme: 

Sticks and stones will break my bones, 
But names will never hurt me.
When I'm dead and in my grave,
You'll be sorry for what you've called me.

(NZ ex UK, 1950; Christchurch, 1970s; Auckland, 1970s; Lower Hutt, 1980s;  Timaru, 1990s; Christchurch, 1990s x 2; Auckland, 1990s; Gisborne, 2001)

--

Sticks and stones will break my bones, 
But names will never hurt me.

(Howick, 1950s; Wellington, 1900 (Sutton-Smith, 1959:93))

--

Sticks and stones will break my bones,
But words will never harm me.

(Ashburton, 2006)

--
 
Background Info: Used in response to being called a name.
Opie, 1967:160:

Sticks and stones may break my bones, 
But names will never hurt me.
When I'm dead and in my grave,
You'll be sorry for what you've called me.

"That's the worst of calling people names, they reply 'Sticks and stones' .. I mostly don't call people names."

==

Turner, 1978:90-91, records similar versions from 1940s to 1970s including:

Sticks and stones may break my bones
But names will never hurt me.
When I die, you will cry,
For what you have called me.

(Victoria, 1973)

==
 
Keywords: name calling, rebuttal 
Location: Various NZ, Australia 
Group size: 1 
Incidence: 12