# Is "Winter Wonderland" winking subtly at premarital sex? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2017, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843 "2017-12-19T05:47:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/1 "2017-12-19T05:47:05Z")
That’s how it comes across to me, but maybe I just have a dirty mind? > [@](#): > > Gone away is the bluebird > Here to stay is a new bird > He sings a love song, as we go along > Walking in a winter wonderland > In the meadow we can build a snowman > Then pretend that he is Parson Brown > He’ll say, “Are you married?” > We’ll say, “No man” > But you can do the job, when you’re in town > Later on, we’ll conspire > As we dream by the fire > To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/2 "2017-12-19T05:55:43Z")
They are talking about getting married. “You can do the job” means marry us. “Face unafraid” means no cold feet, we’re going to do it the [next time the preacher comes through.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_rider_(religious)) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/3 "2017-12-19T05:58:29Z")
No, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is winking subtly at premarital sex. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/4 "2017-12-19T06:00:46Z")
“Build a snowman” is obviously a reference to conceiving a baby. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/5 "2017-12-19T06:04:34Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > “Build a snowman” is obviously a reference to conceiving a baby. That’s a relief. I thought it was a reference to Fronkenshteen’s Monster and his enormous schwanzstucker ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/6 "2017-12-19T06:38:54Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > “Build a snowman” is obviously a reference to conceiving a baby. Ah yes, Disney and their lesbian incest impregnation fetish. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/7 "2017-12-19T08:00:35Z")
The bluebird might be virginity, while the new bird singing the love song may represent adult sexual experience. The made plans are the created child in the womb. It’s all right there if you look for it. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/8 "2017-12-19T08:14:36Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > They are talking about getting married. “You can do the job” means marry us. “Face unafraid” means no cold feet, we’re going to do it the [next time the preacher comes through.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_rider_(religious)) Maybe so, but they are going to call it close enough to have a snowman officiate the ceremony in the meantime. Nowadays there’s obviously nothing scandalous about two engaged people having sex, but at one time a fair number of people frowned upon that. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/9 "2017-12-19T08:18:55Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > It’s all right there if you look for it. It usually is. To quote Tom Lehrer: _ALL books are dirty books (Though recent books are bolder), For smut, I’m pleased to say, Is in the eye of the beholder: I could tell you things about Peter Pan And the Wizard of Oz (there’s a dirty old man!)"_ ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/10 "2017-12-19T10:23:48Z")
Missed out the more succinct lines: _When correctly viewed EVERYTHING is lewd_ ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/11 "2017-12-19T10:26:57Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Maybe so, but they are going to call it close enough to have a snowman officiate the ceremony in the meantime. Nowadays there’s obviously nothing scandalous about two engaged people having sex, but at one time a fair number of people frowned upon that. Slightly less scandalous nowadays if they’re engaged to each other… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/12 "2017-12-19T11:40:37Z")
Until I just now checked out [the original](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc35J3smINQ), I’d never heard it without the second bridge, as follows: In the meadow, we can built a snowman And pretend that he’s a circus clown. We’ll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman Until the other kiddies knock him down! Given that line, I’ve always assumed it was about kids playing marriage. Going back and ignoring that, then it sounds to me like they just got engaged after walking in the “Winter Wonderland.” The last lines are “To face unafraid the plans that we’ve made walking in a winter wonderland.” It sounds to me like they are just really excited about it, to the point they will build a snowman just to tell him about it. And then they just sit dreaming by the fire of their wedding. The only line that seems to have that implication is when the snowman “asks” if they are married. That implies they are doing something that a preacher would consider requires marriage. But I don’t think they’re out there having sex. I would need something else to read that into the lyrics. Let It Snow, now that I hear it in. Kissing and holding tight and an implication they don’t yet live together, while eventually winding up spending the night with each other despite saying goodbye for so long. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/13 "2017-12-19T12:27:50Z")
Chestnuts roasting is about man spreading, right? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/14 "2017-12-19T13:52:16Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The only line that seems to have that implication is when the snowman “asks” if they are married. That implies they are doing something that a preacher would consider requires marriage. But I don’t think they’re out there having sex. Which probably means they weren’t talking about sex. Back when the song was written, marriage was not automatically equated with sex, especially by children (“other kiddies,” remember). It was what people did when they were in love. The sex was not at the forefront. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/15 "2017-12-19T14:20:50Z")
That reminds me of a skit by a Canadian comedy group called “The Frantics” Everything is a dirty word if you say it right! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9qmUJpcPAaM/hqdefault.jpg "The Frantics - Boot to the Head - 14. Make Up Dirty Words") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qmUJpcPAaM) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/16 "2017-12-19T14:23:39Z")
I always assumed it was about Communism. What else could they be conspiring about? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/17 "2017-12-19T15:13:22Z")
You think they’re having sex where Parson Brown can see them? Out in the winter wonderland? That’ll give a whole new meaning to “blue balls”. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/18 "2017-12-19T15:36:22Z")
I love the winter holiday songs. Let It Snow. Walking In A Winter Wonderland. Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Is there any better cozy feeling than being holed up together with your loved one, looking outside at the driving snow, no place to go and nothing to do but be together? It can be a lot of fun if you’re prepared for it! My mother spoiled such things for me. “I’ve been calling you and calling you all weekend, where have you been? Shacked up like a whore with some guy?” Ruined it, and I was almost 30! One of the reasons I didn’t cry at her funeral years later. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/19 "2017-12-19T17:21:41Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I love the winter holiday songs. Let It Snow. Walking In A Winter Wonderland. Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Is there any better cozy feeling than being holed up together with your loved one, looking outside at the driving snow, no place to go and nothing to do but be together? It can be a lot of fun if you’re prepared for it! > > My mother spoiled such things for me. “I’ve been calling you and calling you all weekend, where have you been? Shacked up like a whore with some guy?” Ruined it, and I was almost 30! One of the reasons I didn’t cry at her funeral years later. Okaaayyy… ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843/20 "2017-12-19T17:25:01Z")
And don’t get me started on 'Rudolph the Red-“Nosed” Reindeer… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-winter-wonderland-winking-subtly-at-premarital-sex/804843.md?page=2)