John Curtis Franklin - Big Tom Bumble

BIG TOM BUMBLE

Hi, this is a page I am compiling with any information I can find relating to the Big Tom Bumble toe game and all its variants. Please email me if you wish to contribute. Please include as much information as you can, for instance:

1) what part of the country did you learn it in?
2) how far can you trace it back in your family or the family of the person that taught it to you?
3) what is the ancestry of the person who taught it to you? (English, Scottish, Scandinavian, German, etc.)
4) Do you know any other variants?
5) What actions went along with the game?

Thank you,
John C. Franklin
Department of Classics
University of Vermont

1) Judy Harper. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Little Twee (little toe)
Teddy Roo (second toe)
Mary Ossel (middle toe)
Rudy Whistle (fourth toe)
Big Tom Bumble (Big Toe)

2) from Jane, Prairie Home Companion forum:

Eckypee
Penny Roe
Rhody Whiddle
Mary Huddle and
Big Tom Bumble.

3) From Jonika Martin, learned it in Utah from family friend last name maybe Lym

Henny Penny
Penny Rudy
Rudy Whistle
Mary Hussle
Old Tom Bumble

4) http://www.worldpath.net/~kelhapam/rende.htm

First of all, Richard, you touch the big toe, and each of the other toes in turn, it goes like this. "Great Big Tom Bumbo, Little Penny Lou, Little Mary Whistle, Little Croquet, Little Twee Twee, can't go up to where Great Big Tom Bumble Bee be." and with the last few words Tom gently touched Kyle's petite nose. "And, if you tell anyone I said those words, I'll categorically deny it, and have you brought up on charges," he threatened with a grin. Wrapping the boy snugly up in the blanket, he handed him back to the new dad with a big grin on his face and a slight mistiness about his eyes. "Just love him *Dad* and make sure he knows he is loved, and you'll be okay," he said with complete sincerity.

5) internet post from Idaho by Kari Moulton, Mar 2 2006. With the toes starting at the little one:

Ekie-pee
Penny-roo
Rudy-whistle
Mary-ostle
And OLD Tom Bumble.

K. Moulton answered my query as follows:

This little game came from my great grandfather Spence Basil Little as far as I am aware. He is of English decent and immigrated west with the Mormons. He lived most of his life in Driggs, Idaho near the Wyoming border. I hope that all goes well with your research. Kari

6) Almaden Weekly Times (San Jose), May 4, 2006. Article: Forget Disneyland, let’s visit the giant colon!  By Dona Nichols Times columnist

When my kids were just babies I named their toes. Starting with the little toe, their names are Inky Pea, Penny Rue, Rudy Whistle, Mary Tousle and Old Tom Bumbo. To this day whenever they hurt a toe, they identify it by name.  Most recently, Alexis came running into the house crying, “Cody stepped on my Tom Bumbo on purpose and now the toenail is coming off!”   I always knew which toe my kids had injured because they always called it by its name. When Alexis’ Rudy Whistle got stung by a bee, I knew exactly where to look.  Naming our body parts helps to humanize them and give them their own persona. It also makes them responsible for their shortcomings. Looking down at Thelma, the thigh, I can clearly see that she’s letting the rest of the team down. Betty the Boob, and her twin sister have been sagging disappointments as well.

I received this email from Dona 10/5/06:

So ... to answer your questions, Annette Fox, says she'd love to hear
from you. She shared the toe-naming ritual with me when we lived in
Oroville, California which is a small town about 50 miles north of
Sacramento. She got the ritual from a neighbor in Olympia, Washington
sixty something years ago when her children were little. She is in her
mid 80s now.

6a) And then: 7. 12/11/06 fwded by D. Nichols

I read your article, I am 53 years old and my Grandmother used to say
almost the same word to me when I was very young. Do you have any idea
where this phrase comes from? I have tried to trace it and get no where.

Jack Lamb
Federal Aviation Administration
AVS Aviation Safety
AQS-240 Integration
(office)816-329-4053

7. Francesca Berger 2/21/07

Hi John,

I saw your request for info on a toe-counting game on the following webpage: http://www.drafthorsevillage.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=8959&sid=bfe1c0512a0b4e8800e7833af2ec5430.

I first ran into someone outside my own family who knew this game when I was in college, and I was amazed at how different their version was from mine. Since the blossoming of the internet I've occasionally run websearches, trying to find out a little more.

Our family's version goes:

Little Pea
Penny Lutie (or maybe Penny Ludy)
Lucy Whissie
Mary Hossie
And Great Gobby-gobby-gobby!

My mother says it goes back at least to her great-grandmother Mae MacDonald, who lived in Michigan and Wisconsin.

8. I have cut and pasted here the contents of a very rich discussion at http://www.elizabethperry.com/nuthouse/archives/2003_03.html.

March 11, 2003. A question from Nebraska!

I just got a wonderful bit of email out of the blue:

Hi! You don't know me, of course, but I was researching a rhyme and it brought up a page on your family website. I was taught the Little Pea, Penny Rue rhyme by a friend for my child. I had never heard it before and she didn't know the origins, just that it had been in her family for years. Could you tell me what you know about and how your version goes? Her version goes: Little Pea, Penny Rue, Rudy Whistle, Sarah Hustle,and BIG TOM BUMBO. Thanks for much for your help.... Ann Peterson Nebraska special ed. preschool teacher

Does anyone have any ideas? (I have Ms. Peterson's email address, and would be delighted to send along any info.) Since it came from JCP's side of the family, I imagine that it was in Grandma's family? Would it have been an Easthampton nonsense rhyme, or from when the Burts were down south? I'm interested, now. I think Grandma's version went, "Little Pea, Penny Rue, Rudy Whistle, Mary Hustle, BIG tum tum tum tum. "

Posted by egpmas at March 11, 2003 08:44 PM

Comments
I always thought it was "merry hustle". Dad says it came from Grandma Hinckley wife of Rufus , Ware MA. She was Lois Amelia Kellogg Hinckley. Oh, and I thought there were only 3 tums! Posted by: SHP at March 12, 2003 08:01 AM

I remember it as your wrote, Liz, but also with only 3 tums! Let's get mags and maria to weigh in. How fun that you were contacted!
Posted by: RPW at March 12, 2003 11:48 AM

My mom said it with 4 when I was younger.
Posted by: BLPS at March 12, 2003 07:39 PM

And I do 5 tums with eloise! (do I sense a trend of increasing tums?)
Liz I also liked your "rooty whistle" and "merry hustle" much more evocative than rudy whistle and mary hustle!
Posted by: Maria at March 12, 2003 10:13 PM

yes, I do say it both ways. "Rooty whistle, merry hustle," comes more naturally, but I think I learned it with Rudy, etc.
Posted by: EGP at March 12, 2003 10:32 PM

Here's how my aunt always told it to my much younger brother AND how I've told it to my nephew:
Little P, Penny Roo, Rudy Whistle, Mary Haso, and Big O'le Gobble Gasso!
Posted by: SEM at April 21, 2003 06:29 PM

Hi there. I thought I'd add "our version" of the nursery rhyme. I have a 2-year-old boy and my husband's parents have been saying it to him for quite a while. My father-in-law said that his mom always said it. Also, the names corresponded with your 5 fingers (starting with pinkie finger): Nippy Pea, Penny Roo, Rudy Whistle, Mary Hosel, and Big Tom Jummie.  Just thought I'd pass it along. Interesting!
Posted by: Janis at August 10, 2003 08:14 PM

Very delighted to have happened upon this site and thread. In my own (MANNING) family we have a slightly different variation that has been passed down for quite some time, originating with our BOREN family of Fillmore Co., NE. I can see obvious similarities to the ones submitted above. We always say it with a small barefooted child on our lap, squeezing each little toe one by one as we name them. Our version goes (from little to big toes): Picky Pea, Penny Whistle, Rolly Penny, Peliostle and OLD TOM BUMBLE, the latter always accented by wiggling the child's big toe rather excitedly, which usually results in the child's hilarous giggling. :-)
Posted by: John Stewart at May 20, 2004 05:43 PM

My daughter has been taught the rhyme by my husbands grandmother who passed a way this week. She was 94yrs old and she said she learned it from her grandfather. We think German. She taught my daughter on her fingers: Zack ah Pea, Penny Rue, Rudy Whistle, Mary Hustle and Old Tom Bubbley Bull. We are curious of the origin. We just assumed it was something made up. Hers seems to stick with names. Please let us know what you have learned. We will miss her dearly and want to better understand the rhyme to keep it going for generations. Like she did. (38 great granchildren and 6 great great.)
Posted by: Amy Miller at June 10, 2004 10:57 PM

Ours went..Little Locker Pea..Little Penny Rue..Little Rue Whistle..Little Mary Tossel..Great Big Tom Bummer. Interesting how many versions there are..
Posted by: Leslie at September 21, 2004 10:49 AM

How funny - we were just looking up Tom Bumble and found this! My great grandmother (Larchmont, NY - family's been in America since pre-revolution) had a version that's been passed down: starting with the second toe, we say "Mary Jostle, Judy Whishle, Patty Rule, Little Pete (in a little, squeaky voice) and then, circling back to the big toe, BIG TOM BUMBLE (in a deep voice.) So neat to see so many versions!
Posted by: Sharon at January 1, 2005 06:06 PM

I am so happy to find this thread! My family was talking about this today, and I googled "icky pee, penny rue"!
My list is for toes only and starts at the littlest going: icky pee, penny rue, rue whistle, mary hostle, and (in a deep voice) old tom bongie (hard G, like bong-gee).
It goes back to my grandmother, born 1894 in Cornish, NH with deep New England roots.
Can't wait to learn more.
Posted by: Pam at February 27, 2005 01:19 PM

My Dad from the Boston area used to say, back in the 30's.... Pick-a-pea, Penny Roo, Rudy Whistle, Mary Hostle, Big Tom Bumble Toe. Don't know if it would be spelled Roo or Rue; Mary or Merrie; Hostle or Hossel? That's just how it sounded to us...
Posted by: Shirley at June 3, 2005 10:20 PM

Oh, I forgot, as John mentioned, my Dad always said the "Big Tom Bumble Toe" in a deeper voice, and held onto the toe and shook it... yes, that was followed by gleeful squealing from the child and the chant.."Doot again, Daddy, Doot again."
Posted by: Shirley at June 3, 2005 10:28 PM

Everyone in my family learned this from our grandpa who learned it from his parents, etc. Our version goes like this, starting with the little toe: Little Pea, Pea Roo, Roady Whistle, Mary Hassle, Old Tom Bobble. It's nice to know there are similar versions elsewhere!
Posted by: Sandra at June 4, 2005 06:36 PM

I had a fried from Montana, by way of Kansas, who knew a slightly different version.
Penny Pea, Piggy Rue, Rue Russel, Mary Bustle and Big Tum Bumble.
Interesting how close all the variations are.
Posted by: Alex at June 20, 2005 02:06 AM

It is so nice that there are so many different versions. Mine comes from my great-grandmother (I am 60 years old)...She always used the toes and said, Acapee, Penny roo, rudisum, meisum and tom bunion toe--I can see where there is a resemblance---loved the other, too, but I think I will stick to mine since that's the way I learned it... Rhonda Hobby
Posted by: Rhonda Hobby at June 29, 2005 10:18 AM

Pinkie Pea, Penny Rue, Ruey Whistle, Jimmy Ostle, and Old Tom Bumble. Toes only. Swiss-German. Ohio. 1950s. And I thought we were the only ones! Etymology?
Posted by: stuart sidells at July 29, 2005 10:34 PM

And spelling?
Posted by: stuart sidells at July 29, 2005 10:34 PM

New Hampshire/french Canadian version was:
Icky Poo, Penny Roo, Rudy Whistle, Mary Hossel and Old Tom Bumble!
Posted by: Pete at August 16, 2005 02:22 PM

My great aunt's from SE Kansas goes (from little toe to big toe): Pee Wee Penny Rue Rudy Whistle Danny Hossel Big Ol' Fat Hobble Gobble
Posted by: gillian at August 21, 2005 12:44 PM

my grand mother in west virginia always said it as follows: rippi pea, penny rue, rue hustle, sara hustle, and big tom bumber. i have no idea what the origins are. that is how i found this page. my father said that she learned it in this form from her grandfather.
Posted by: HUGH MCLAUGHLIN at August 27, 2005 02:32 PM

It's funny how close yet how far all these are from the original verse.
Posted by: Pete at August 30, 2005 01:14 PM

It was a delight to come across this today. My family is from Michigan and the verse was passed down to us through my dad who was born in 1911. Our version starting with the baby toe is Inky Pea, Penny Roo, Tootie Whistle, Mary Tassel and Old Tom Bumble. Each toe would be wiggled with each name and Old Tom Bumble would be said with a deep, slow voice. My children have been entertained with this verse many times, sending them into gales of laughter and shouting "Do it again!" These posts show how a verse that is more than 100 years old has been handed down and changed in the process. Memory, accents or even a very young child's pronunciation have influenced the verse. I would be interested if anyone ever comes across documentation of the original verse or origin.
Posted by: Chris at September 1, 2005 02:05 PM

I love the internet....where else can you find this stuff... I LOVED this as a kid and keep passing it on!!!
Our family starts with the little toe
Little Petey Penny Rudy Rudy Whistle  Harry Russel and BIG TOM BUMBLE BUMBLE!!
Posted by: liz at September 7, 2005 12:58 PM

I was thrilled to find this site. A couple of winters ago an older gentleman in Wiscasset, Maine amused my then three-year-old daughter with this rhyme, which I had never heard. I was delighted but saddened that I couldn't remember the whole thing. What I can recall of his version was that it included "Alice whistle" (made with a whistling sound) and "Old Tom Bumble." I've enjoyed the fascinating variations.
Posted by: Kevin at September 27, 2005 09:20 PM

my mother-in-law from Michigan used to play this with the kids when they were babies.....starting with the big toe:
Tom Bumble Lou Whistle May Hustle Penny Rue Lick-a-pea (and with that she would nibble on their little toe)
Posted by: KJW at September 29, 2005 02:18 PM

My Dad was from Bassett Nebraska and his version was slightly different. Little Pea, Penny Roo, Rudy Whistle, Donny Hostle, and the Gibble Gobble Gibble.
Posted by: Carol Hill at March 20, 2006 09:22 AM

Hello. Interesting variations in this little game. My family moved to New Hampshire in the mid-1600s. In my family we use the toes starting with the smallest toe.  Ecky Pee, Penny Rue, Mary Whistle, Sarah Hostle, and Big Tom Bumble (in a deep voice).
Posted by: Molly at April 29, 2006 11:25 AM

I am 72 yrs old and my Mom use to say it to us 5 kids. She was raised in Saco/Biddeford Pool, Me area and her Mom said it to her children. She said this version: Icky Poo, Penny Roo, Rudy Whistle, Mary Hossel and Old Tom Bumble! I said it to my children and now my grandchildren and great grandchildren are hearing it.
Posted by: Mary at May 7, 2006 09:36 PM

RELATED THREAD FROM SAME SITE:
My father was Ronald Greer from Stanstead Quebec. As we were growing up our version went  Little Pede, Pedie Lou, Loudie Whistle, Mary Tousle and Big Tom Bumbo. My sisters and I have started to research the origins of this silly little rhyme so it was interesting to see more versions.

ELIZABETH PERRY THREAD:
http://www.elizabethperry.com/nuthouse/archives/000560.html

9. The following is from http://www.mamalisa.com/blog/?p=380, which Francesca Berger referred me to

The Origins of Some Scandinavian Toe Naming Rhymes

Julie and Beth wrote looking for the origins of two Scandinavian rhymes that are played with little kids while touching their toes. We’re wondering if anyone’s ever heard of these rhymes and perhaps knows what country they’re from and/or anything else about their origins. Here’s what Julie wrote:

I have been searching for the origin of a nursery rhyme that my friend said to her kids. The child has his/her shoes off and starting with the little toe, she names the toes:
Little Pea (little toe)
Peter Lou (next toe)
Oosey Nossey (next toe)
Toosey tossey (next toe)
And a Great Big Oppososso (big toe)

I am not sure of the spelling. However, the University of Wisconsin Children’s Library assures me that this toe rhyme has Scandinavian roots. They said: Scandinavia is known for naming toe rhymes.

Please help me, I have been searching the origin of this toe playing game for years with my friend’s blessing. My friend is Scandinavian and she doesn’t remember where she heard this toe playing game. I assume that she heard it as a child.

Julie

Beth Bookschlepper wrote in looking for the origin of a similar rhyme:

I know this as…
Little Pea,
Penny Rou,
Judy Whistle,
Mary Tossle,
And Big Tom Bumble.

I am also interested in its origins.

If anyone can help, or would like to share other similar rhymes, please comment below.

Thanks!

Lisa

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 13th, 2006 at 7:20 pm    and is filed under Nursery Rhymes, Questions, Languages, Danish, Countries & Cultures, Rhymes by Theme, Sweden, Swedish, Denmark, Danish Nursery Rhymes, Swedish Nursery Rhymes, Finland, Norway, Norwegian, Norwegian Nursery Rhymes, Iceland, Icelandic, Toe Naming Rhymes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
5 Responses to “The Origins of Some Scandinavian Toe Naming Rhymes”

Ellen T. McKinsey Says:
December 25th, 2006 at 3:06 am
Hi;

This toe rhyme came down in my husband’s family, Richard O. McKinsey.

It goes like this: Beginning with the small toe; Itty Mitty, Pea Rou,
Rou Whistle, May Tossle and Old Tom Bumbo … and when you say “Old Tom Bumbo” you wiggle the toe. All of the children in the McKinsey
family were taught this as little ones. We always thought its orgin was Scotland as our family came from there. Sincerely, Ellen T. McKinsey
Will your comments be sent to my e-mail?

Lois Lighthart Says:
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:31 am
Interesting that the verse I am trying to track down, begins with the big toe and goes down to the littlest one – just opposite of those above.This is a phonetic approximation of the Norwegian toe-naming verse I heard my grandmother say: “Tum-a-tut, Shlek-a-put, Ling-a-man, Leya-span, and Little Putti Yonson”. I want very much to find a Norwegian who can tell me how it really goes!
Thanks for any help!

Kristina Says:
January 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Lois, I know of that rhyme, but for fingers, not toes. It sounds very similar to your rhyme, but is in swedish. It goes: Tummetott, slickepott, långeman, gullebrand och lilla vickevire.

Starting with the thumb (tumme) and going to the pinky (lillfinger). Slickepott also means dough-scraper and of cause the finger is called so small children use the finger for eating . Slicka mean (to) lick, you lick the finger. Slickepott also means dough-scraper. Långeman means long man and gullebrand (d is silent so it rhymes) comes from gull, meaning gold, that is the finger you place the wedding band on. Tummetott and vickevire are more nonsence words (vicka means to wiggle).

Personally I never learnt any rhymes for the toes, but I’ve heard of two from further north in Sweden. I found them on the internet and they go:

Lilltåa, Tåtilla, Tillerosa, Baggfrua och Gubben Stor!
(from the province of Härjedalen)

Lilltåa, Tåtilla, Mockafrua, Parrarota och Storbonden opp´ i vä´re!
(province of Jämtland)

A little hard to translate, but lilltåa means (the) pinky toe. Frua means wife and gubben stor the big old man. Store gubben is used the same way as the expression “big boy” in english. Storbonde means affluent farmer and that’s why he’s “opp i väre” that is up in the air, a proud man.

Kristina Says:
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
just correcting myself: it should be “tall man” not “long man”. And I found a norweigan version of Lori’s rhyme:

“Tommeltott,
Slikkepott,
Langemann,
Gullebrand,
og Lille Petter Spillemann

Essentially it’s the same meaning. Lille Petter Spillemann means little Petter Musician/fiddler. Och/og means and. Hope it helps even if it’s still not your version perhaps?

Francesca Says:
February 18th, 2007 at 12:19 am
I learned something similar to the original toe names listed, with some variations, and I thought it came from the Scottish side of my family. Starting with the little toe-

Little Pea
Penny Lutie
Lucy Whissie
Mary Hossie
And Great Gobby-gobby-gobby!
(The last is said while tickling the child.)

10. Contribution by Jeanne Young, 5/15/2007

My paternal grandparents taught this Old Tom Bumble to my siblings and cousins. Of Scots and English extraction, their ancestors came to Utah as part of the Mormon settlement. My father also played this game with us and his grandchildren and I understood his Grandpa Monroe played it with him. I am 58. My grandparents were born in 1893 and 1896.

My grandmother's family were Scots (MacArthur) and English (Robins). Grandfather's family was Scots by way of Wales (Monroe or Munroe) and English (Memmott). The Memmotts and Robinses case from Sheffield area in 1840-1850. The Monroes came about the same time from Wales.   New England was the home of the MacArthurs for about 200 years prior to the Mormon migration to Ohio, Missouri, Illinois and Utah. Branches of the families ended up in Scipio, Utah .

This is how Bumble sounded to me:

Pick-a-Pea

Penny-Roo

Roo-Whistle

Sherry Horsel

And Old Tom Bumble (said while pulling the big toe with great relish and demarcation between the words)

Austin and Edna Fife collected Folk Lore in the west and Utah specifically. Austin Fife was a professor at Utah State University which I believed published his books. He was my French professor. I sang several folk songs for his collection of folk lore carried here from Northern Europe by Mormon Pioneers. I am wondering if he collected anything on Old Tom Bumble that might be of interest to you.

Regards,

Jeanne

11. Contribution from Carol Wilson, Chetopa, KS, 5/16/2007

My mother is 89 and her mother told her about this. So it has been around for many years. Our heritage is English. We started with the big toe and worked on down to the smallest one.
It went, Pea Rue, Penny Rue, Rudy Whistle, Meta Hockus, Gobbly gobbly gobbly ( with the last one moving up to the tummy to tickle) . . . Fun things from the past!

12. Contribution from Dave Nelson, 6/8/2007

Here is my toe game:

Starting with the pinky toe:
Pee Wee
Penny Rue
Rudy Whistle
Mary Tossle
Big Tom Tom

It was taught to me by my parents.

Dave Nelsen

Contribution from Sarah Spencer 6/10/07
Ekiepee
Penny rue
Rue Whistle
May Horsel
Tom Bumlbybee

My brother learned this from a room mate he lived with in Prescott, AZ. I always thought it was cute.

Sarah Spencer

I am writing to about the rhyme I learned as a child and am now passing on to my own children.

I learned as a child from my mother in the mid-west. She learned it from her step-father in IL. I don't know his ancestry. I only know that he was afraid it would die with him. I do know that he taught it to all of my uncle's as well.

Contribution from Bill Evans, 7/7/07

Hi - I just saw your listing on the web for the toe counting rhyme and it amazes me that there are so many variations. Here's mine.

I'm 61 and learned this from my grandmother who was born of Swiss/Swedish/German extraction in 1898. Her mother was the cook for a railroad crew and she was the first white child born on Indian land in upstate Wisconsin which may explain the fourth toe. She never wrote this down so I'm guessing at the spelling.

Ikey-pee
Penny-roo
Rudi Whistle
Many a Horse
Great Big Fat Tom Bumble

Thanks for a pleasant evening! Good luck,

Bill Evans

Contribution from Ann P., 7/13/07
HI, I am an early childhood teacher and was curious about the origins of this strange little verse. I am from Nebraska and it was taught to me by our school district's teacher for the visually impaired and now I use it with my son. I always thought maybe the characters were circus characters.
Anyway, this is how I learned it, starting from little to big toe:
Little Pea
Penny Rue
Rudy Whistle
Sarah Hustle
and Big Tom Bumbo (bend big toe up and down) However, I give my son a whole body shake when we get to that part.
Please let me know if you come to conclusions on origin and meaning.
thanks!
Ann P

Contribution from Janis Olson, 7/16/07

My husband was saying it to her 1 year old granddaughter and Gail had not heard this version. It goes like this:

Little Pea, Mary Ostle, Rhodie Whistle, Kangaroo and Great Big Goblegee

My grandparents came over from Germany in the early 1800's and this rhyme was taught to us by my parents, so I'm not sure if it was handed down by my Mom's German side or the English on my Dad's side. I have a feeling it sounds more German.

Janis Olson
Oswego, Il

Contribution from H Rushing, 7/21/07

The way the rhyme goes that I learned is
Inky Dee
Patty Roe
Roadie Whistle
Mary Hustle
Big Ole Snuffy Guffle

I am not sure how they are suppose to be spelled. This was only passed on in an oral tradition and not anything that has been written down. I was please to find your research collection and found it very interesting on the number of people who have rhyme that are not the Mother Goose variety.

Contribution from Kellie Greaves 7/23/07
Hi John,

It’s really great that you’re doing this. I was reciting this “rhyme” to a friend who claimed that I made it up, so I googled it to prove a point and found your page.

1)       I’m from Minnesota
2)       I can trace this to my great-grandmother
3)       Scottish
4)       I don’t know any other variations.

The one I grew up with is:

Piggy Pee
Penny Rue
Rudy Russell
Mary Dussell
BIG TOM BUMBLE!

Good Luck,
Kellie

Contribution from Linda Lucas 8/4/07
Lucas Toe Game. Starting at the little toe and progressing to the big toe wiggling each one as you go.

Little Peed
Pye Rude
Mowdie Hossle
Uddie Fissle
Big ole Hobby Gobble (said in a lower and louder voice)

This came from my mother in law Catherine Geneva Helms born in Helmsburg, Indiana Brown County in 1903
She married Isaac Lucas born 1896 also of Brown County. The first Lucas came over in 1648 from France
through Germany and England (He was a Huguenot and left for religious reasons).
There are also other nations represented in the genealogy including the American Cherokee.
Linda Lucas

Contribution from 'Juice' 8/22/07

I'd like to contribute to your compliation. I spent many laughter filled hours playing this game as a child, and soon as an Auntie.

I learned the game in the South Carolina Low Country, near Georgetown, SC from my maternal grandmother who learned it from her mother. They were of Scottish ancestry. I don't know any other variations but enjoyed reading those you've posted.

Rackie Pea (little toe)
Penny Roo
Rue Whistle
May Hossel
Tom Bumbletoe

Contribution from Kent Moore 9/23/07

I have been looking for the roots to this for a long time. My family was Scots, Irish, English, Welsh.
Ours is:
Little pede,
Pede a loo,
Ludie sissel,
Mary ossel
GOBBLE GOSSLE

Contribution from Mary Jo Prosser 10/4/07 and Tom Lister 10/04/07

Wow! I am so excited to get this from my friend! I am 61 years old and my grandmother used to play this on our toes when we were little, and we in turn played it on our children and they on their children (who are now about the right age!)

We started with:

Picky Pee (on the pinky toe)
Penny Roo
Rudy Whistle
Sarey Rozzle
Big Tom Bumble Bumble

My grandmother's ancestry was Irish, and lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan, which is where I live also. I never knew any of the background on it (and I haven't read your webpage yet)

This is great! Thank you!

My sister, Mary Jo Prosser, got it right. That's exactly the way I remember it. The only thing I would add is that some of the ancestors were from Wales.

Tom Lister

Contribution from Carla Day 10/07/07

I am a 67-year-old woman originally from Maine. I learned our family's version of what you call "Big Tom Bumble" from my German uncle who was born in 1897 and grew up in the Mohawk Valley in upstate New York. Our family's version goes,

Little Pea
Polly Lu
Lilly Whistle
Whistle Ossel, and
Great Big Bossy Tossel.

My 4-year-old granddaughter came up to me the other day and, in all seriousness, said, "Grandma, I have an owie on my Bossy Tossel." I hope she does not try this one out on her nursery school teacher, but, on second thought, nursery school teachers have probably heard everything!

Carla Day

Contribution from Larry Bean 11/15/07

John Franklin:

I have a lot of fun with our grand-kids with these names of digits. However, there are ten named digits and I learned all of them as fingers. I never heard the names used with toes.. My great-grandmother (on my Dad's side) used to say these names when we were very little. My mother passed it on to all of us. Here they are:

Starting with the left hand (little finger).....

Icky Pea
Penny Rue
Rue Whistle
Merry Ostle
Old Tom Bumble (in a deep voice)

Then to the right hand, starting with the thumb....

Tom Thumb
Peter Pointer
Toby Tall
Ruby Ring (and)
Baby Little Finger

My great-grandmother was born (Warren) 1862 in Deer Isle, Maine of Scottish Descent. She died 1954 in Massachusetts when I was 17 years old. (I can't believe I'm 70)

Larry Bean,
Carver, Massachusetts
November 15, 2007

Contribution from Mary Reedy 11/24/07

Hello, I was delighted to find your website. I learned this game from
my grandmother 50 odd years ago. She was from Nebraska and came to
California in in the early 1900's. Her family was originally from
Pennsylvania of German descent. The game began with the little toe and
went: Little Pete, Penny Root, Rudy Whistle, Mary Rossle, and Great
Big Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.... Mary Reedy, Brattleboro VT

I'm sorry I sent the email prematurely. I learned this in Los Angeles, from my father, who is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. His heritage is English and French (as far as I know).

Contribution from Elizabeth Davis 12/31/07

My father used to say this:

Petey Weedie,
Penny Rudy
Rudy Whistle
Mary Russell,
Old Tom Gobble Gobble.

It must originate from one of those on your site. I learned this in Los Angeles, from my father, who is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. His heritage is English and French (as far as I know).

Contribution from Patti Blaine 1/18/08

I learned the following from my father:
Iddle peed
Peed a lou
Iddle widdle
Widdle noddle
And Great big hobble gobble.

Little to big toe was wiggled with each phrase, and the last phrase was growled and giggled. I've known this since childhoold (born in 1959) and have never known any other variants, and every time I've used it on a child (I've done a lot of nanny/babysitting work) parents are delighted by it and have never heard it before. I thought it was unique to my family, and am very interested to learn that it is not and would love to know more about where it came from.

My father (Keith Snyder) was born in Wyoming, but lived most of his life in northwestern PA and southwestern/southcentral NY. He says he learned it from his mother (nee Ruby Olive Bower) who was born in Missouri. Her roots in this country can be traced back to 1732 when German ancestors (Garr and Seidelmann) came over and settled first in Virginia for a few generations, and then moving to MO, but there are Scottish (McDowell and McCain) and English (Stanfield) names in her lineage also. My grandmother's husband may have introduced the game to her (I can't ask them as they're both deceased and my father and his brothers and sisters don't remember learning whence this came). His ancestry is less known to me other than the names Snyder, Manning, and Marham, and that he was raised in upstate NY near Jasper.

I'm so glad I googled widdle noddle hobble gobble!
--
Patti Blaine

Contribution from Ann Hall 1/20/08

Here is my family version,

Little pede ,     Peedy lou,        Lewdy whistle,     Mary tossle,   anddddddddddd…….BIG TOM BUMBO !!!!!!!!!!!!
It was the big toe that got the babies squealing with delight. Done with a louder voice, and with a pause before so as to make them more excited in anticipation. Also the little toes were gently wiggled but the big toe was given a much bigger manipulation            This version came from the Quebec – Vermont border, at least 80 years ago, and from people of irish and scotch origins. I have often pondered      its meaning and even imagined there is a French Canadian connection----- something like liddle pede, pede de leu, leu de sui seul, marie tout seul , big ton bon beau   (or big ton bonbon)            Far fetched perhaps.     Annie Hall,            Fort Erie, Ontario.

Contribution from Carolyn Vokoun 2/9/08

The version I learned came from my Grandfather, Art Hansberger. He lived in southwestern Minnesota, but his parents had migrated there from Columbus, Ohio, after the Civil War. They were German, but Grandpa liked to poke fun at the Scandanavian-speaking residents of Minnesota. He pretended that his toe-counting rhyme was Swedish. It went like this, beginning with the little toe: Little Pea, Penny Roo, Doody Whistle, Minnie Hustle, Sambo.

Carolyn Vokoun
Chesterfield, Missouri

Contribution from Erin Humm 3/1/08

I am from Michigan.
My mom taught my son and her grandmother taught her.
English/German I think.
This is our version...

Little Pete
Patty Roo
Mary Whistle
Roody Hossle
Big Tom Gobble Gobble.

This is interesting we were just wondering if my Great
Grandmother had made this up....

Thanks.

Contribution from Tom Holmes 3/18/08

John,

My mother did this with her children...the first born in 1950. She was born in 1934 and was from the Fort Smith, Arkansas area. I don't know how long she had known it and have never heard of anyone else that knows it. Here is her version:

Little Pete
Penny Root
Rooty Whistle
Mary Ossle
Big Ol' Gobble Gobble

Thanks
Tom Holmes

Contribution from Jami J. Hanvold 3/23/08

Hello~
I have learned a slightly different version than what I have seen here, but quite similar to some. Please forgive me, but I have no idea how to spell these, so I will try to spell them like they sound. You start at the little toe, kind of gently pinch it and wiggle it (like you're doing "This Little Piggy") and say the name, and go through all the toes to the big toe.

Leetiltah
Teelah
Tahleela
Mahgeefrah
Shtoodehgah...then tickle tickle tickle

I learned it in Western Wisconsin. I learned it from my father-in-law, who has done this with my children since they were just babies - and they still love it (they are 7 and 5 now). My father-in-law didn't speak English at home when he was growing up, but was forced to learn it when he went to school. He still speaks Norwegian often, mostly to his mother. I would assume that he learned it from his parents, who came here from Norway. The only other 'version' would be the same kind of rhyme for the fingers. 5) What actions went along with the game?: just the "pinch and wiggle" of the toes, and the tickle at the end. This was a fun page to come across...I just wish I knew how to spell the words correctly!
Jami H

[Jaimi also added the following finger game]:

Tomeshtoot - thumb
Shlagaput - pointer
Longamine - long finger
Laysvane - ring finger
itta bitta Shpeelamine - pinky
. . . tickle tickle tickle

Again, I have no idea how to spell these words, just trying my best to spell them how they sound!

Jami

Contribution from Kelli Stanley, 4/8/08

Oh my gosh! My great amazing friend emailed this link to me because I taught her the crazy toe diddy in college. I learned if from my Grandma, her family is English. Here is the all time best version, which is semi-sacred in my family: Picky Pee, Penny Rolly, Penny Whistle, Peel-i-osso, BIG TOM BUMBO!
Kelli Stanley, Colorado Springs, CO

Contribution from Steve 4/14/08

Dear John,

WOW, I thought that this little ditty was invented by my grandparents. My dad and my grandparents taught it to me. My grandfather was part of the early LDS history (Utah, Mexico, California) and his forefather came from England and a his mother was from Scotland.

I was taught it by starting with the little toe and working up to the big toe, using a low growling loud voice for the big toe:

Little Peed
Peedie Lou
Louie Whistle
Mary Jostle
and Old Tom Bumper

Steve - Concord California.