# Papa oom mow mow **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979 "2013-10-11T13:58:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/1 "2013-10-11T13:58:26Z")
The words ‘‘Papa oom mow mow’’ seem to have originated with the Rivingtons’ 1963 song of the same name. This song was later sort of made part of ‘‘Surfin’ Bird,’’ if I’m getting this right. The syllables ‘‘papa oom mow mow’’ were later used in the song ‘‘Elvira,’’ performed by the Oak Ridge Boys. I was about to ask if there are any other songs which use these syllables, but Wikipedia seems to have a list: [Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow) Ayone know how these syllables originate? And why they’ve even been used more than once in songs? Maybe they’ve just got a catchy sound. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/2 "2013-10-11T14:03:12Z")
They go all the way back to the KJV Bible. Look up Jude 3:21 I kid Nonsense syllables had wide use in R&R songs in the 1950s. Even before that, jazz and blues songs I’ve heard from the 20s used them. (Don’t forget scat!) As for the EXACT PHRASE you’re using, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/3 "2013-10-11T14:04:40Z")
I guess one can’t copyright nonsense syllables. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/4 "2013-10-11T14:36:48Z")
The Rivingtons’ song came out not long after the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya (1952-60). Coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/5 "2013-10-11T16:17:21Z")
[Obligatory Family Guy clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184) ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/6 "2013-10-11T16:36:15Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > The Rivingtons’ song came out not long after the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya (1952-60). As did Allan Sherman’s “Hungarian Goulash No. 5,” whence the lyrics: > [@](#): > > See the Mau Maus underneath the jungle sky. > Jolly Mau Maus, eating missionary pie. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/7 "2013-10-11T17:22:52Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > [Obligatory Family Guy clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184) I thought you might be referring to the episode where he sings it like a romantic song, but this is much more hilarious, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/8 "2013-10-12T07:12:08Z")
[QUOTE Nonsense syllables had wide use in R&R songs in the 1950s. [/QUOTE] Why do you think they call it Doo-wop? And here’s some Papa-oo- mow-mow for ya: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8E8trKZGbE) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/9 "2013-10-12T07:48:47Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > The words ‘‘Papa oom mow mow’’ seem to have originated with the Rivingtons’ 1963 song of the same name. There’s a good [cover](http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=38142) of that by Freehold, NJ. That’s not a band. It’s the town of Freehold, NJ. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/10 "2013-10-12T13:14:38Z")
A nonsense bass vocal background I heard in one song from the mid 50s was “Poppa Cow Poppa Cow Poppa Cow, Mama Bull” And there’s always the all vowel-sound syllables that sound similar to “Doo-Wop” or “Shoo-Doop” like “oooh ooh oooh oooh ooh ah” I always liked “Yaaaaaaah, ya ya ya ya ya ya yaa yaah” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/papa-oom-mow-mow/670979/11 "2013-10-12T14:21:24Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > The Rivingtons’ song came out not long after the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya (1952-60). Coincidence? The Mau Maus undoubtedly inspired one of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ [greatest hits](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNqO88cIIug).