# Remember Miss Lucy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 15, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958 "2021-02-15T13:30:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/1 "2021-02-15T13:30:56Z")
_Miss Lucy bought a steamboat, the steamboat had a bell Miss Lucy went to heaven, the steamboat went to Hello, operator. Give me number nine If you disconnect me, I’ll chop off your Behind the 'frigerator there was a piece of glass Miss Lucy sat upon it and it went right up her Assssssk me no more questions tell me no more lies Boys are in the bathroom pulling up their Flies are in the kitchen, Bees are in the park Boys and girls are kissing in the D-A-R-K dark, dark, dark._ I just found that in my old files. Does anyone remember it? It is often used as a foil, if someone wants to imply swearing (say on TV) but not actually do it. (_Kate and Allie_ used it once in the 80’s.) I just wonder where it originated? Or do we even know? Tell me if you know. It’s obviously not obscene. And I don’t believe it has a copyright either. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/2 "2021-02-15T13:38:22Z")
For us it was Susie > **[Miss Susie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Susie)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > "Miss Susie had a steamboat", also known as "Hello Operator", "Miss Suzy", "Miss Lucy", and many other names, is the name of an American schoolyard rhyme in which each verse leads up to a rude word or profanity which is revealed in the next verse as part of an innocuous word or phrase. Originally used as a jump-rope rhyme, it is now more often sung alone or as part of a clapping game. Hand signs sometimes accompany the song, such as pulling on the... ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/3 "2021-02-15T15:00:06Z")
For me it was a schoolyard clapping game that clearly demonstrated that girls were more clever than boys. The boys all listened to Dr. Demento on Sunday nights but we could never remember the lyrics to any song the next morning at school. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/4 "2021-02-15T15:34:43Z")
I never heard that version, but it reminded me of Wendy’s song from _South Park_. NSFW [Wendy's cussing song [uncensored] - YouTube](https://youtu.be/CKSEOZ8R3oo) ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/5 "2021-02-15T15:42:20Z")
Was Miss Susie for me. But the operator part, it was: Hello Operator, Please dial Number 9, And if you disconnect me, I’ll kick your fat behind… ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/6 "2021-02-15T15:57:41Z")
We used to sing: _Casey and Murphy were digging in a ditch,_ _Casey called Murphy a dirty son of a_ _Beaver, beaver, sitting on a rock,_ _Along came a bumble bee and stung him on his_ _Cocktail, ginger ale, five cents a glass,_ _If you don’t like it, shove it up your_ _Ask me no questions and I will tell no lies,_ _Casey hit Murphy, and now he’s paralyzed._ I was singing this in the back seat of the car. Before I finished, my father turned around and beat the shit out of me. He almost got us into an accident. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/7 "2021-02-15T16:04:08Z")
^^I just burst out laughing at that! ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/8 "2021-02-15T16:09:57Z")
… _Ask me no more questions, I’ll tell you no more lies That’s what Suzy told me the day before she Dyed her hair in purple, she dyed her hair in pink She dyed her hair in polka dots And washed it down the sink I think_ ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/9 "2021-02-15T16:18:54Z")
This one is much tamer. I imagine this was from the 1800s. My great aunt would sing this to me and my sisters when we were all in the car together. We would always request it. We thought it was a real hoot! Oh Mrs. Bliss went out to Pick some flowers. And in the grass she wet her Ankles in the dew. And in the coop she let a Poor old chicken die. And in the cart she let a Farmer pass her by. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/10 "2021-02-15T16:23:34Z")
Mary had a little lamb, she thought it was quite silly, To throw him up into the air and catch him by his, Willy was a sheepdog, running through the grass, Along came a bee and stung him on the, Ask no questions, tell no lies, I saw a policeman open up his, Flies are a nuisance, wasps are worse, That is the end of my little verse. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/11 "2021-02-15T16:32:27Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > _Miss Lucy bought a steamboat, the steamboat had a bell > Miss Lucy went to heaven, the steamboat went to > Hello, operator. Give me number nine > If you disconnect me, I’ll chop off your > Behind the 'frigerator there was a piece of glass > Miss Lucy sat upon it and it went right up her > Assssssk me no more questions tell me no more lies > Boys are in the bathroom pulling up their > Flies are in the kitchen, Bees are in the park > Boys and girls are kissing in the D-A-R-K dark, dark, dark._ > > I just found that in my old files. Does anyone remember it? It is often used as a foil, if someone wants to imply swearing (say on TV) but not actually do it. (_Kate and Allie_ used it once in the 80’s.) > > I just wonder where it originated? Or do we even know? Tell me if you know. > > It’s obviously not obscene. And I don’t believe it has a copyright either. > > 🙂 This is word-for-word the version I learned. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/12 "2021-02-15T16:33:36Z")
Also, it’s been suggested this would have a better home in Cafe Society. PM me if you have strong feelings either way. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/13 "2021-02-15T16:43:01Z")
I think it was Susie for us, too. But us boys didn’t really learn it, for the most part – we just heard the girls sing it while jump-roping or playing that hand clapping game. I do remember one girl trying to teach it to me along with the hand clapping game, but I just gave up after a few minutes, so I don’t remember the exact name used, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Lucy in my neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/14 "2021-02-15T16:46:33Z")
The boys equivalent, or rather the Dr. Demento equivalent, that follows this trope (slightly differently) would of course be “Shaving Cream” by Benny Bell. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/15 "2021-02-15T17:45:51Z")
It was Susie for me, too- and I think some minor differences, it was definitely a clapping game. I’ll kick you (right? It makes less sense though) Behind the 'frigerator there was a piece of glass Miss Susie sat upon it and cut her little Ask me no more questions I’ll tell you no more lies… Oh and it was Flies are in the meadow, bees are in the park… ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/16 "2021-02-15T19:46:17Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > Boys and girls are kissing in the D-A-R-K dark, dark, dark. The version I learned had a few more verses: > The dark is like a movie, the movie’s like a show, > The show is like a TV set, and that is all I > Know I know my mother, I know I know my father, > I know I know my sister with the eighteen-dollar, eighteen-dollar, eighteen-dollar, bra-bra-bra! ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/17 "2021-02-15T19:48:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The boys equivalent, or rather the Dr. Demento equivalent, that follows this trope (slightly differently) would of course be “Shaving Cream” by Benny Bell. For the opposite gimmick, there’s [“Bold Sir John.”](http://www.dmi.me.uk/music/lyrics/misc/-/bold-sir-john/) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/woqfb12h4y4/hqdefault.jpg "Bold Sir John") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woqfb12h4y4) ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2021, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/18 "2021-02-15T19:51:37Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > The dark is like a movie, the movie’s like a show, > The show is like a TV set, and that is all I > Know I know my mother, I know I know my father, > I know I know my sister with the eighteen-dollar, eighteen-dollar, eighteen-dollar, bra-bra-bra! Yeah, I remember that verse, but our version went like this (and I’m on Team Miss Susie, although I think there were other songs about Miss Lucy): Dark is like a movie, A movie’s like a show, A show is like a program, and this is what I know, I know-I know my mother, I know-I know my pa, I know-I know my sister with the 80-meter bra. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/19 "2021-02-16T08:32:03Z")
Our version was: Ask your mother for sixpence to see the big giraffe He sticks his head between his legs and whistles up his… Aunty Mary had a canary, she also had a duck, She took them behind the kitchen door and taught them how to… Fry an egg for breakfast, fry and egg for tea, The more you eat, the more you drink, the more you want to… Peter had a boat, the boat began to rock, up jumped Jaws and bit him on the… Cocktails, ginger-ale, 40c a glass If you don’t like it, then shove it up your Ask no questions, tell no lies I saw a policeman doing up his Flies are bad, mosquitos are worse And this is the end of my silly little verse. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958/20 "2021-02-16T12:29:01Z")
In my neighborhood, it was Andy who had the steamboat. And in Ring Around the Rosie, the last part was _pussy cat, pussy cat, all fall down!_ instead of _ashes, ashes…_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-miss-lucy/932958.md?page=2)