How local was this Thing?
October 18, 2022 7:23 PM Subscribe
I need your help determining how local a thing is, both in time and place. I learned something a certain way when I was a kid. I assumed EVERYONE learned it this way but recent events have SHOOK ME TO THE CORE and now I'm not so sure. There are actually RULES inside!
I ask you kindly to follow the rules because doing otherwise would compromise the results.
Here are the rules:
If I say the phrase "Down the street, around the corner, put your hat on." do you know immediately what this means? Yes or no? How old are you and where did you grow up?
I can't give much more context without giving clues. There's no point anyway. You either know this or you don't.
I will follow up with what it all means after there is sufficient data. Probably a couple days.
(Mods: this may be seen as Survey Filter and I suppose it is. But the real question I'm trying to answer is: Is This A Thing That My Teacher Invented Or Was It A Well Known Thing? But delete this if you must and I promise I won't be upset. For long.)
I ask you kindly to follow the rules because doing otherwise would compromise the results.
Here are the rules:
- Answer "Yes" or "no" and, if you're comfortable, your age and roughly where you grew up. (approx. is fine) Feel free to add commentary as long as you follow the other rules:
- Do NOT put What This Means in your answer. This is very important.
- Do not try to guess what this means. There's no point. (this includes google)
If I say the phrase "Down the street, around the corner, put your hat on." do you know immediately what this means? Yes or no? How old are you and where did you grow up?
I can't give much more context without giving clues. There's no point anyway. You either know this or you don't.
I will follow up with what it all means after there is sufficient data. Probably a couple days.
(Mods: this may be seen as Survey Filter and I suppose it is. But the real question I'm trying to answer is: Is This A Thing That My Teacher Invented Or Was It A Well Known Thing? But delete this if you must and I promise I won't be upset. For long.)
No. 40s. West coast USA.
posted by primethyme at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by primethyme at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022
Yes, retired, Chicago and suburbs.
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Nope. Born 1981, Central Coast CA.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022
No. 46. Toronto.
(are you just collecting our demographics?) lol
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
(are you just collecting our demographics?) lol
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:26 PM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
No, 43, North Georgia.
posted by stormygrey at 7:27 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by stormygrey at 7:27 PM on October 18, 2022
Nope! Canadian, younger than other posters so far.
posted by sagc at 7:27 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by sagc at 7:27 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No, 39, St. Paul MN.
I kind of want survey filter to be a thing now.
posted by mai at 7:28 PM on October 18, 2022 [23 favorites]
I kind of want survey filter to be a thing now.
posted by mai at 7:28 PM on October 18, 2022 [23 favorites]
No. Late 30s, California.
posted by maleficent at 7:28 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by maleficent at 7:28 PM on October 18, 2022
No, 60, near Syracuse, NY.
posted by baseballpajamas at 7:31 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by baseballpajamas at 7:31 PM on October 18, 2022
Response by poster: (seriously, even just the state and what generation you're in is fine. FTR, I grew up in the Boston suburbs and I'm Gen-X)
My world view is completely shattering right now.
posted by bondcliff at 7:32 PM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
My world view is completely shattering right now.
posted by bondcliff at 7:32 PM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
No. Elder millennial, Chicago and environs
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:34 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:34 PM on October 18, 2022
No, 40, Army brat, but mostly Virginia with Midwestern parents
posted by the primroses were over at 7:35 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by the primroses were over at 7:35 PM on October 18, 2022
No. A few years younger than you. NY suburbs.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 7:35 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by DiscourseMarker at 7:35 PM on October 18, 2022
No. 52. South West tip of Virginia along Tennessee border.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:35 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by zengargoyle at 7:35 PM on October 18, 2022
I suspect you know this already, but not even Google has heard of this. And Google knows everything. I'm guessing it's not even a Boston thing. It's a your family thing. JimN2TAW is your cousin.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:36 PM on October 18, 2022 [21 favorites]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:36 PM on October 18, 2022 [21 favorites]
No. Middle aged. California.
Husband also says no. Same age. New Jersey and Arizona
posted by Rapunzel1111 at 7:36 PM on October 18, 2022
Husband also says no. Same age. New Jersey and Arizona
posted by Rapunzel1111 at 7:36 PM on October 18, 2022
Response by poster: (Also, I suspect some of you will be waiting with bated breath to find out just what the hell I'm talking about. I promise you will be disappointed.)
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 PM on October 18, 2022 [26 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 PM on October 18, 2022 [26 favorites]
No, mid-50s, Michigan.
posted by shiny blue object at 7:38 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by shiny blue object at 7:38 PM on October 18, 2022
Yes, 40s, NYC (think it was as "don't forget your hat" though)
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:38 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:38 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. 30’s. NYC.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:41 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:41 PM on October 18, 2022
Does "Down the street and around the corner, 'Oops, I forgot my hat!'" count? Does it count if I encountered it a year ago, and not as a kid?
posted by RichardP at 7:41 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by RichardP at 7:41 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Does "Down the street and around the corner, 'Oops, I forgot my hat!'" count? Does it count if I encountered it a year ago, and not as a kid?
Possibly. It's the sort of thing that, were it well-known, might have slight variations. If you want to come back to the thread after I've explained myself you can confirm Y or N. I'd be curious to hear in what context you heard it.
posted by bondcliff at 7:44 PM on October 18, 2022
Possibly. It's the sort of thing that, were it well-known, might have slight variations. If you want to come back to the thread after I've explained myself you can confirm Y or N. I'd be curious to hear in what context you heard it.
posted by bondcliff at 7:44 PM on October 18, 2022
No. 40 years old in Buffalo, NY.
I know you said there's no point in guessing but my brain couldn't help itself and I have a guess and am very curious to see if it's correct. Does it relate to shoelaces?
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 7:51 PM on October 18, 2022
I know you said there's no point in guessing but my brain couldn't help itself and I have a guess and am very curious to see if it's correct. Does it relate to shoelaces?
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 7:51 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Early 30s. Providence, RI area.
posted by Seeking Direction at 7:53 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Seeking Direction at 7:53 PM on October 18, 2022
No, early Gen X, Quebec side of Ottawa area.
Data mining - I'm gonna have to get a sock puppet now! 😀
posted by ashbury at 7:54 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Data mining - I'm gonna have to get a sock puppet now! 😀
posted by ashbury at 7:54 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Anyone who has a guess is welcome to MeMail me, but please don't guess in the thread. I don't want to have even the slightest chance of influencing someone's answer.
posted by bondcliff at 7:56 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by bondcliff at 7:56 PM on October 18, 2022
No, Gen X NYC.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:59 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:59 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Late 20s, grew up in California.
Edit: OH WAIT. An old memory just awakened in my brain. I’m pretty sure I did learn this, although to be honest I can’t remember the exact context.
posted by mekily at 8:00 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Edit: OH WAIT. An old memory just awakened in my brain. I’m pretty sure I did learn this, although to be honest I can’t remember the exact context.
posted by mekily at 8:00 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No. Age 41, Minneapolis.
I asked my boyfriend, 41, rural Illinois, who also said no.
posted by anderjen at 8:00 PM on October 18, 2022
I asked my boyfriend, 41, rural Illinois, who also said no.
posted by anderjen at 8:00 PM on October 18, 2022
No, Gen X Midwest. (I have a guess, though.)
posted by praemunire at 8:04 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by praemunire at 8:04 PM on October 18, 2022
For what it's worth, I did find this easily on Google. Still definitely had never heard of it before today!
posted by wyzewoman at 8:05 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by wyzewoman at 8:05 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No, 39, Connecticut
posted by Shadow Boxer at 8:07 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Shadow Boxer at 8:07 PM on October 18, 2022
Yes. 60. Mid-south.
However, I think I learned this from a GenX niece who grew up in Baltimore.
posted by GeorgieYeats at 8:10 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
However, I think I learned this from a GenX niece who grew up in Baltimore.
posted by GeorgieYeats at 8:10 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. Quite close to your age and location.
posted by sesquipedalia at 8:10 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sesquipedalia at 8:10 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Nope. Early Gen X, suburban Connecticut and east coast S. Florida.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:10 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by soundguy99 at 8:10 PM on October 18, 2022
I'm confident know a variant of it, if it's what I think it is.
(Gen X, Sydney, NSW)
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:15 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
(Gen X, Sydney, NSW)
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:15 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No. 30s. Australia
posted by daffodil at 8:16 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by daffodil at 8:16 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, Gen X, Pennsylania
posted by ojocaliente at 8:17 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by ojocaliente at 8:17 PM on October 18, 2022
Nope, 38, raised in West Virginia about 90 minutes south of Pittsburgh.
posted by miratime at 8:17 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by miratime at 8:17 PM on October 18, 2022
No, late 30s, Connecticut
posted by charlemangy at 8:18 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by charlemangy at 8:18 PM on October 18, 2022
Okay, yes, confirming that I did in fact learn this and I know exactly what it is, but I buried the memory of it until I read your question.
posted by mekily at 8:18 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mekily at 8:18 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Are we talking elementary school? I am Gen X and lived in western Mass at that age. It’s possible I would have forgotten something from then.
posted by bluedaisy at 8:19 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by bluedaisy at 8:19 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Mid 60s. First years of school: southern Michigan; then Atlanta.
posted by conscious matter at 8:19 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by conscious matter at 8:19 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Gen-X. West Michigan.
posted by Nerd of the North at 8:20 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Nerd of the North at 8:20 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Late 50s, east coast US from MA to SC
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:20 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:20 PM on October 18, 2022
Yes. 66. Canberra
posted by gerygone at 8:20 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by gerygone at 8:20 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No, 46, Vancouver, Canada.
posted by juv3nal at 8:21 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by juv3nal at 8:21 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, gen Y, Australia, also expat community South America.
posted by freethefeet at 8:22 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by freethefeet at 8:22 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Millennial from Canada.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:23 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:23 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. Mid-40’s, Colorado, LA.
posted by nickggully at 8:24 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by nickggully at 8:24 PM on October 18, 2022
No; millennial; CA
posted by Otis the Lion at 8:32 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Otis the Lion at 8:32 PM on October 18, 2022
No, 40, Southern California
posted by equalpants at 8:36 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by equalpants at 8:36 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Gen-X, Northern Ontario, Canada
posted by Sauce Trough at 8:39 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Sauce Trough at 8:39 PM on October 18, 2022
Nope, 40, Pacific Northwest. Per spouse, another no, 45, California.
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:40 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:40 PM on October 18, 2022
Me, Los Angeles-no, and spouse, Buffalo-no. Both Gen X.
posted by happy_cat at 8:46 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by happy_cat at 8:46 PM on October 18, 2022
Okay, I have news. I looked it up and do remember it now. So I think it’s likely at least some folks heard this and don’t remember.
posted by bluedaisy at 8:48 PM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 8:48 PM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Like, this might be more about this being meaningful for you rather than if others heard it too.
posted by bluedaisy at 8:49 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 8:49 PM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No, late 30s, Southern California and Ireland. But having said that, I haven't heard this exact phrase but I do believe I know a version of it.
posted by DSime at 8:50 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by DSime at 8:50 PM on October 18, 2022
No, 35, Cleveland area (until age 7), Baltimore area (after).
posted by egregious theorem at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by egregious theorem at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2022
No, mid 30's, New Jersey.
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2022
No. 68. Western Massachusetts
("Western" added because in many ways it was culturally different from the Boston / Worcester area)
posted by TimHare at 9:03 PM on October 18, 2022
("Western" added because in many ways it was culturally different from the Boston / Worcester area)
posted by TimHare at 9:03 PM on October 18, 2022
No, 69, Los Angeles and Dallas
posted by a humble nudibranch at 9:08 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by a humble nudibranch at 9:08 PM on October 18, 2022
Best answer: Ok, there are enough answers now. I'm ready to disappoint you all.
First off, the results blew my mind. I assumed this was a universal thing, like how we all know the alphabet song. I was very wrong.
Back in Kindergarten, this is how I learned to draw the number five:
Down the street: draw the vertical line.
Around the corner: Draw the curl.
Put your hat on / Don't forget your hat: Draw the horizontal line, starting from the top of the vertical line.
I am 100% certain I learned this from my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Parker.
I am 52 years old and literally every single time I write a number five I say "down the street, around the corner, put your hat on" to myself.
Strangely enough, there were no other little tricks for drawing the other numbers. Five needed a trick, I guess.
The "Yes" answers were so few I would like to see the educational genealogy (is that a thing?) of all our kindergarten teachers. Maybe they all went to the same elementary school.
Anyway, thank you all for playing. This phrase has no real meaning to me, it's just a thing that I occasionally think about. It popped into my head again and when I asked a few people about it they had no idea what I was talking about.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's question: "What else have I been wrong about all my life?"
posted by bondcliff at 9:09 PM on October 18, 2022 [78 favorites]
First off, the results blew my mind. I assumed this was a universal thing, like how we all know the alphabet song. I was very wrong.
Back in Kindergarten, this is how I learned to draw the number five:
Down the street: draw the vertical line.
Around the corner: Draw the curl.
Put your hat on / Don't forget your hat: Draw the horizontal line, starting from the top of the vertical line.
I am 100% certain I learned this from my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Parker.
I am 52 years old and literally every single time I write a number five I say "down the street, around the corner, put your hat on" to myself.
Strangely enough, there were no other little tricks for drawing the other numbers. Five needed a trick, I guess.
The "Yes" answers were so few I would like to see the educational genealogy (is that a thing?) of all our kindergarten teachers. Maybe they all went to the same elementary school.
Anyway, thank you all for playing. This phrase has no real meaning to me, it's just a thing that I occasionally think about. It popped into my head again and when I asked a few people about it they had no idea what I was talking about.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's question: "What else have I been wrong about all my life?"
posted by bondcliff at 9:09 PM on October 18, 2022 [78 favorites]
No, 39, Chicago suburbs
posted by augustimagination at 9:09 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by augustimagination at 9:09 PM on October 18, 2022
bondcliff: If you want to come back to the thread after I've explained myself you can confirm Y or N. I'd be curious to hear in what context you heard it.
I heard it while waiting in line. A mother, also waiting in line, recited it sing-song style to her daughter who was sitting on the ground, practicing writing numbers in a notebook / study book. The version the mother recited was identical to the version in this PDF from the city of Abilene, Texas.
posted by RichardP at 9:12 PM on October 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
I heard it while waiting in line. A mother, also waiting in line, recited it sing-song style to her daughter who was sitting on the ground, practicing writing numbers in a notebook / study book. The version the mother recited was identical to the version in this PDF from the city of Abilene, Texas.
posted by RichardP at 9:12 PM on October 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Another "nope" here. Googling this, I found mnemonics for all the digits. No info on where they came from, though.
posted by zompist at 9:18 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by zompist at 9:18 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Back in Kindergarten, this is how I learned to draw the number five:
The inefficiency of this technique is causing my soul physical pain. And here I thought it was directions for knotting some kind of knot!
posted by praemunire at 9:36 PM on October 18, 2022 [34 favorites]
The inefficiency of this technique is causing my soul physical pain. And here I thought it was directions for knotting some kind of knot!
posted by praemunire at 9:36 PM on October 18, 2022 [34 favorites]
Yes, the variant I know, from being taught to write the numeral, is that the no. 5 looks like a 'fat man wearing a hat'.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 9:45 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 9:45 PM on October 18, 2022
No, 65, Texas
posted by lukemeister at 9:47 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by lukemeister at 9:47 PM on October 18, 2022
How long before this becomes as arcane a bit of knowledge as knowing how to sharpen a quill?
posted by mr vino at 9:51 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by mr vino at 9:51 PM on October 18, 2022
I don't remember whether I learned this or not but I do know I've always thought it was weird when I saw people draw 5s like this. My very ugly 5s are top down, right-to-left, theoretically in one motion (though I often end up "drawing hats" when my theoretical 5 ends up looking like no known Arabic numeral).
posted by Polycarp at 10:06 PM on October 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Polycarp at 10:06 PM on October 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
My kindergarten teacher (late 1960s, KS) sang a little song while she drew the straight line down and the curve of the 5: "Make her sit," and then the top line "and put on her hat."
posted by bryon at 10:12 PM on October 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by bryon at 10:12 PM on October 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
I don't remember the first two clauses, but I remember very clearly--vividly--the third clause as "Whoops! I forgot my hat!" Mid 40s, Milwaukee.
posted by mr_roboto at 10:13 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by mr_roboto at 10:13 PM on October 18, 2022
No. 60. Kansas City
posted by shoesietart at 10:14 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by shoesietart at 10:14 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Maybe? 60, Australia, description rings a bell but there has been 40+yrs of scoobs between primary school and now that I have forgotten almost everything about that time except the book series that Miss McConchie read to us in Grade 4 (Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators).
posted by Thella at 10:15 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Thella at 10:15 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, old GenX, Midwest US.
posted by matildaben at 10:23 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by matildaben at 10:23 PM on October 18, 2022
Ok I wouldn’t bother to respond except my demographics are close to yours: No, 49, and I went to kindergarten on the south shore in Mass. I suspect this is not regional exactly, just a thing some people learn. (At first I thought you might be talking sign of the cross, also reminds me of tying shoes, both of which I heard similar memorization devices but later, after I’d learned them without.)
(Also, is it odd that we finish at the top on a 5? Why not all in one motion? Do all cultures do this?)
posted by vunder at 10:50 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
(Also, is it odd that we finish at the top on a 5? Why not all in one motion? Do all cultures do this?)
posted by vunder at 10:50 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, 39, VA/CA/NC.
posted by sara is disenchanted at 10:54 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by sara is disenchanted at 10:54 PM on October 18, 2022
No, GenX, Arizona.
posted by creepygirl at 11:00 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by creepygirl at 11:00 PM on October 18, 2022
No. Early GenX. Buffalo, NY.
And that's not even how I was taught to make the number. I was taught to:
Draw a horizontal line from right to left, then a vertical line downward, then a backward lowercase C. (The only number for which we lifted our pencil before completion was 4.)
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:08 PM on October 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
And that's not even how I was taught to make the number. I was taught to:
Draw a horizontal line from right to left, then a vertical line downward, then a backward lowercase C. (The only number for which we lifted our pencil before completion was 4.)
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:08 PM on October 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Writing 5 that way (I think) comes from the era of fountain pens. It's hard to push them right to left at least for a right hander.
posted by zengargoyle at 11:13 PM on October 18, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by zengargoyle at 11:13 PM on October 18, 2022 [11 favorites]
When you write the strokes separately there's a better chance of preserving the right angle (and not devolving into an S).
posted by trig at 11:17 PM on October 18, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by trig at 11:17 PM on October 18, 2022 [13 favorites]
My mother (b. 1915, Jewish immigrant to Australia) taught me that one. "Down the street, round the corner. Oops I forgot my hat!" It saved me from great confusion, almost like magic.
posted by gerygone at 11:28 PM on October 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by gerygone at 11:28 PM on October 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Wow. I had NO idea what you were talking about, would've voted no, but now that you've explained it I remember i *did* learn that! My teacher's wording was different: "A man walks down the street, around the corner, then -- oops, he forgot his hat!" (We had similar little ditties for all the numbers. For 8 it was, "Make an S and cross the gate.")
That's just to say that maybe the premise of your rules is flawed since it sounds like many variations in wording were used. Your wording didn't ring a bell for me but I am now 100% sure I was taught this.
Born in the 80s, mid-Atlantic
posted by artisthatithaca at 11:46 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
That's just to say that maybe the premise of your rules is flawed since it sounds like many variations in wording were used. Your wording didn't ring a bell for me but I am now 100% sure I was taught this.
Born in the 80s, mid-Atlantic
posted by artisthatithaca at 11:46 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Reminds me of one of my favourite poems:
Oh is the moon when it's round and full
One is a blade of grass
Two is a duck on a river or pool
Three is a bird flying past
Four is a yacht, or a kiss with a tail
Five is an S gone flat
Six is a snail with a silver trail
Seven the ear of a cat
Eight is a snake in a twisted loop
Nine a balloon on a string
Ten is a stick and a running hoop
That I roll round in a ring
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 1:13 AM on October 19, 2022 [29 favorites]
Oh is the moon when it's round and full
One is a blade of grass
Two is a duck on a river or pool
Three is a bird flying past
Four is a yacht, or a kiss with a tail
Five is an S gone flat
Six is a snail with a silver trail
Seven the ear of a cat
Eight is a snake in a twisted loop
Nine a balloon on a string
Ten is a stick and a running hoop
That I roll round in a ring
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 1:13 AM on October 19, 2022 [29 favorites]
Nope. 40s, Western Australia.
posted by Salamander at 2:17 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Salamander at 2:17 AM on October 19, 2022
Sorry, no. 1972. West coast of the United States. When I write that digit today I do not use that stroke order.
posted by majick at 2:44 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by majick at 2:44 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. Born in the early 80s. Mostly Southeast USA (with some Chicago, Philly and UK).
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:50 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:50 AM on October 19, 2022
No. Early 40s, Kent, UK. (Never heard it in Scotland either.)
posted by offog at 2:58 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by offog at 2:58 AM on October 19, 2022
No. Gen X, Australia. On the other hand I remember almost nothing from that age.
posted by Coaticass at 3:46 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Coaticass at 3:46 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, mid-50s, Washington DC
posted by Press Butt.on to Check at 3:48 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Press Butt.on to Check at 3:48 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 41, northern British Columbia.
posted by synecdoche at 3:58 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by synecdoche at 3:58 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 35, Milwaukee. But we learned D'Nealian handwriting and 5 was done in one stroke starting at the top right.
posted by fountainofdoubt at 4:15 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by fountainofdoubt at 4:15 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
No, mid-30s, western NY
posted by noneuclidean at 4:21 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by noneuclidean at 4:21 AM on October 19, 2022
No, gen x, western canada
posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:21 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:21 AM on October 19, 2022
My kid (a tween in NYS) used to say something about a hat when making numbers in kindergarten. I’d never heard it (40’s, CT and DC at that time) but I also skipped kindergarten so had less chance than usual to hear it in its native environment. I also did not hear it when working as an elementary school reading teacher’s assistant in college (around 2000, NYS.)
posted by tchemgrrl at 4:24 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by tchemgrrl at 4:24 AM on October 19, 2022
30s, US Midwest. I only remember being given letters/numbers to trace, without any specific instructions about how to accomplish that. 5s I make from the top right in a single stroke and am just careful about the angles to avoid Ss. I moved to a country with fountain pens as a teenager and figured out how to give them a little twist when drawing the top line right to left. I guess I assumed that's what everyone else was doing with their pens too. I have noticed that my child is now being taught to double back for the top line, and up until now I honestly thought it was some specific pedagogical thing, so the idea that it's "correct" in some wider sense (or at least was actively taught as correct to many) is kind of blowing my mind.
posted by teremala at 4:25 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by teremala at 4:25 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
To avoid spoilering myself I avoided reading until after I posted. Now I can say that this triggered a memory of being taught to write a 5 in that same order, which I no longer do, but I still don’t remember this saying. On the other hand, my autobiographical memory isn’t great, so there’s no guarantee I’d remember it anyway.
posted by eirias at 4:26 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by eirias at 4:26 AM on October 19, 2022
No. Late 30s, grew up in Maryland.
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:33 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:33 AM on October 19, 2022
That's a big yeah, nah from this Gen X Aussie.
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 4:35 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 4:35 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 40's, NE Ohio.
But, I do distinctly remember learning that stroke pattern, and not following it. I was soooo smug in the first grade when the teacher complimented me on my freehand '5' writing, in front of the whole class. It was very hard to resist informing her this proved that her method was a useless sham, but somehow I managed.
Also, around that time, my cousins from LV, NV visited, and they were repeating a dirty rhyme that may have have been influenced by this mantra: "up your butt, around the corner…"
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:56 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
But, I do distinctly remember learning that stroke pattern, and not following it. I was soooo smug in the first grade when the teacher complimented me on my freehand '5' writing, in front of the whole class. It was very hard to resist informing her this proved that her method was a useless sham, but somehow I managed.
Also, around that time, my cousins from LV, NV visited, and they were repeating a dirty rhyme that may have have been influenced by this mantra: "up your butt, around the corner…"
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:56 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
No. 37, Wisconsin.
posted by abeja bicicleta at 4:57 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by abeja bicicleta at 4:57 AM on October 19, 2022
What a convoluted method that seems intended to do nothing but confuse a child and waste their time. Luckily I never heard this mess on the west coast (mid-50s)
posted by asimplemouse at 5:03 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by asimplemouse at 5:03 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. Early-30s. Melbourne, Australia.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 5:08 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by kinddieserzeit at 5:08 AM on October 19, 2022
YES 69 Philadelphia
That's how I was taught to make a #5.
I guess nuns were good at some things.
posted by james33 at 5:10 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
That's how I was taught to make a #5.
I guess nuns were good at some things.
posted by james33 at 5:10 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. 41, Rust Belt, then Southwestern Ontario.
posted by number9dream at 5:11 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by number9dream at 5:11 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 46, upstate NY (Albany)
but this is exactlyhow I make a 5
posted by pjenks at 5:25 AM on October 19, 2022
but this is exactlyhow I make a 5
posted by pjenks at 5:25 AM on October 19, 2022
No, and for 5, it was a girl walking on a windy day- the wind blew out her skirt and her braids. Taught to co-Ed first grade class. Gen X Mid-Atlantic region.
posted by childofTethys at 5:42 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by childofTethys at 5:42 AM on October 19, 2022
So - anyone collecting data on MeFi ages yet? Looks like we're not attracting many millennials.
(for what it's worth - No, mid-40s, but I grew up in communist Poland and mnemonics... were not a thing there).
posted by Dotty at 5:46 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
(for what it's worth - No, mid-40s, but I grew up in communist Poland and mnemonics... were not a thing there).
posted by Dotty at 5:46 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
No, 50s, suburbs of NYC
posted by Pineapplicious at 5:54 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Pineapplicious at 5:54 AM on October 19, 2022
No idea what it means, 46, Western Australia.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 6:01 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 6:01 AM on October 19, 2022
No, late 40s, MN/ND
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:09 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:09 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 41, Minnesota. (Definitely bated breath)
posted by pepper bird at 6:13 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by pepper bird at 6:13 AM on October 19, 2022
Okay, upon reading, that is absolutely how i learned to make the number five—but i do not remember a similar fun rhyme. (I could possibly recall some of our state capital mnemonics, because they are still so silly.)
posted by pepper bird at 6:17 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by pepper bird at 6:17 AM on October 19, 2022
Yes, 41, Melbourne Australia. Took me a minute for very me-context specific reasons. I moved schools in the middle of that stage of education and ended up learning to form letters in two different systems, the second one kind of cruelly by being told I was a silly little boy who wrote letters wrong. Some teachers, huh?
posted by threecheesetrees at 6:18 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by threecheesetrees at 6:18 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: For those still playing, the solution is up higher in the thread. I marked myself as best answer.
The weird thing is a friend of mine who had the same kindergarten teacher a few years before me does not remember learning it this way.
posted by bondcliff at 6:19 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
The weird thing is a friend of mine who had the same kindergarten teacher a few years before me does not remember learning it this way.
posted by bondcliff at 6:19 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No; Gen-X; early childhood in northern Illinois, moved to central Indiana at the start of 4th grade.
posted by cooker girl at 6:20 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by cooker girl at 6:20 AM on October 19, 2022
N, 41, Midwest
posted by songs about trains at 6:23 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by songs about trains at 6:23 AM on October 19, 2022
Update: My kid’s teacher’s saying was “[teacher’s name], with a big round belly, give her a hat.” It seems like an easily-reinvented wheel, but by no means a universal thing.
posted by tchemgrrl at 6:35 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by tchemgrrl at 6:35 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 48, born in NY, moved to VA when I was 7.
I don't actually remember how I was taught to write a 5, but I can't imagine being taught that a single digit requires more than one stroke.
posted by emelenjr at 6:41 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I don't actually remember how I was taught to write a 5, but I can't imagine being taught that a single digit requires more than one stroke.
posted by emelenjr at 6:41 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, 30s, southern CA.
But this is definitely how I write my 5s (with two strokes, in this order).
posted by andrewesque at 6:52 AM on October 19, 2022
But this is definitely how I write my 5s (with two strokes, in this order).
posted by andrewesque at 6:52 AM on October 19, 2022
I can't imagine being taught that a single digit requires more than one stroke.
1 with the little foot at the bottom, 4 where it's the two l-shaped lines minus the diagonal piece, 7 with the little crossbar, 0 with a line through it... (I wasn't taught all of these, but I imagine someone was)
posted by box at 7:09 AM on October 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
1 with the little foot at the bottom, 4 where it's the two l-shaped lines minus the diagonal piece, 7 with the little crossbar, 0 with a line through it... (I wasn't taught all of these, but I imagine someone was)
posted by box at 7:09 AM on October 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Also no. born 1977 from all over the south.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:33 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:33 AM on October 19, 2022
No, late 30s, central florida gulf coast.
posted by dis_integration at 7:44 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by dis_integration at 7:44 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 40. Texas.
(It felt vaguely familiar, maybe I heard it once.)
posted by kidbritish at 7:46 AM on October 19, 2022
(It felt vaguely familiar, maybe I heard it once.)
posted by kidbritish at 7:46 AM on October 19, 2022
bondcliff: "Strangely enough, there were no other little tricks for drawing the other numbers. Five needed a trick, I guess." I googled this last night and found all the numerals!
posted by maudlin at 7:46 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 7:46 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Still No, still a boomer, still from Ohio, but so happy to have been a Mainer most of my life.
posted by theora55 at 7:49 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by theora55 at 7:49 AM on October 19, 2022
No, mid 40s, grew up in Texas.
I don't remember how I was taught to make a 5, but I start in the middle, go up then right, then lift the pen/pencil and make the curvy bottom part. I don't think it was taught to me that way, I just started doing it like that on my own.
posted by Quiscale at 7:58 AM on October 19, 2022
I don't remember how I was taught to make a 5, but I start in the middle, go up then right, then lift the pen/pencil and make the curvy bottom part. I don't think it was taught to me that way, I just started doing it like that on my own.
posted by Quiscale at 7:58 AM on October 19, 2022
No, old millennial, northern Wisconsin
posted by goodbyewaffles at 8:11 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by goodbyewaffles at 8:11 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 52, Connecticut.
It's also possible that I maybe didn't remember these things because I didn't NEED mnemonics for letters and numbers, thanks to a steady diet of Sesame Street showing me the letters and numbers themselves for several years combined with my learning how to read at the age of two and a half. I was probably already trying to scribble things down by the time I got to kindergarten and if I had any obstacles it was probably related to hand-eye coordination rather than how the number looked ("I know 5 has a straight bit and a round bit, and that line across the top, but I screwed up and drew the round bit too big").
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:23 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
It's also possible that I maybe didn't remember these things because I didn't NEED mnemonics for letters and numbers, thanks to a steady diet of Sesame Street showing me the letters and numbers themselves for several years combined with my learning how to read at the age of two and a half. I was probably already trying to scribble things down by the time I got to kindergarten and if I had any obstacles it was probably related to hand-eye coordination rather than how the number looked ("I know 5 has a straight bit and a round bit, and that line across the top, but I screwed up and drew the round bit too big").
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:23 AM on October 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
No. Late 30s. Baltimore MD.
Edit: Ok, I read your answer and I now do recall learning various tricks to how to write numbers/letters, some of which had "hats" - but none have stuck in my brain like they have for you.
posted by coffeecat at 8:24 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Edit: Ok, I read your answer and I now do recall learning various tricks to how to write numbers/letters, some of which had "hats" - but none have stuck in my brain like they have for you.
posted by coffeecat at 8:24 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. 63. Western Long Island (Queens) NY
posted by probably not that Karen Blair at 8:42 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by probably not that Karen Blair at 8:42 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 63. Bakersfield, CA
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:52 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:52 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 47. Northern Virginia, parents from Indiana and Michigan.
posted by jocelmeow at 8:53 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by jocelmeow at 8:53 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 47, Cleveland
But it is a thing for all the numbers. Number formation rhymes. I came across them searching for something for my Head Start class.
posted by kathrynm at 8:56 AM on October 19, 2022
But it is a thing for all the numbers. Number formation rhymes. I came across them searching for something for my Head Start class.
posted by kathrynm at 8:56 AM on October 19, 2022
No, 44, Minnesota.
I learned "down and around with a flag on top". I guessed what the secret was when i first read this post (I wish I'd seen it earlier!)
posted by Gray Duck at 9:12 AM on October 19, 2022
I learned "down and around with a flag on top". I guessed what the secret was when i first read this post (I wish I'd seen it earlier!)
posted by Gray Duck at 9:12 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 35, didn't grow up in the US but now live in Seattle and I've never heard it
posted by Xany at 9:19 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Xany at 9:19 AM on October 19, 2022
Nope, 44, Northeast Scotland.
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 9:19 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 9:19 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 60. Melbourne, Australia. And I would remember that if I'd ever been taught it, because it would have irritated the shit out of me.
posted by flabdablet at 9:20 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 9:20 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. Gen X, BC Canada. But I also learned to read and do sums before I attended kindergarden so might not have been paying attention.
posted by Mitheral at 9:25 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by Mitheral at 9:25 AM on October 19, 2022
No. 47. Mid-South (KY/TN).
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:41 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:41 AM on October 19, 2022
No. Late 60's. Northeast Philadelphia PA.
posted by forthright at 9:45 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by forthright at 9:45 AM on October 19, 2022
Nope, GenX, globally. But I was trained by nuns, and making learning fun was not part of the mandate. Heh.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 10:27 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 10:27 AM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
There's also the possibility that as people grew comfortable with handwriting that they forgot about the "trick" they were taught for doing it, even if they were taught this way. I don't know about anyone else, but my memories of Kindergarten/1st grade are pretty incomplete and few of them are memories about specific instruction. (TBH, I don't really remember specific instructional lessons from school before about 4th grade.) I'm pretty sure that I was taught the D'Nealian method in school, but again, no specific memories of the instruction.
posted by Aleyn at 10:32 AM on October 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Aleyn at 10:32 AM on October 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
No. 30s. West coast USA.
posted by one for the books at 10:50 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by one for the books at 10:50 AM on October 19, 2022
no. 46. wheeling, wv
posted by mmascolino at 11:56 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by mmascolino at 11:56 AM on October 19, 2022
No. Age 50. Raised in Minnesota.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:06 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:06 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, 50, SoCal
posted by The otter lady at 12:36 PM on October 19, 2022
posted by The otter lady at 12:36 PM on October 19, 2022
I'm pretty sure this is a question about memory rather than pedagogy. Not sure how to prove that except to say I had no idea what you were talking about, and then I remembered it once I googled it 15 minutes later, and had a vivid recollection of my kindergarten teacher (who I otherwise do remember quite fondly).
posted by bluedaisy at 12:46 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bluedaisy at 12:46 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. 49. Rhode Island
posted by KickTheBobo at 1:54 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by KickTheBobo at 1:54 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No.
55.
US. (Florida birth to two years old, Oklahoma two to four, Arkansas four to nine, and then Florida nine to adult. Parents were both from Pennsylvania.)
OH! (having read the update) What total cuteness.
there were no other little tricks for drawing the other numbers.
Ah, but there were! At least in Arkansas, there was "balloon tied to a stick" for 9. You were to draw a straight line and a little dewdrop shape at a slight angle at the top, like a balloon tied to a stick.
posted by Don Pepino at 1:56 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
55.
US. (Florida birth to two years old, Oklahoma two to four, Arkansas four to nine, and then Florida nine to adult. Parents were both from Pennsylvania.)
OH! (having read the update) What total cuteness.
there were no other little tricks for drawing the other numbers.
Ah, but there were! At least in Arkansas, there was "balloon tied to a stick" for 9. You were to draw a straight line and a little dewdrop shape at a slight angle at the top, like a balloon tied to a stick.
posted by Don Pepino at 1:56 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No. 50 S.F. Bay Area
posted by tangosnail at 1:59 PM on October 19, 2022
posted by tangosnail at 1:59 PM on October 19, 2022
I am now realizing that I have absolutely zero recollection of being taught to write numbers and that's freaking me out.
(I do remember learning how to spell colors, though. P-u-r-p-l-e was an accomplishment!)
posted by TwoStride at 2:31 PM on October 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
(I do remember learning how to spell colors, though. P-u-r-p-l-e was an accomplishment!)
posted by TwoStride at 2:31 PM on October 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
No. 54. St. Paul, MN.
I actually don't remember anything about learning to read or write, except for when we started cursive in 3rd grade. I went to pre-K in Cambridge when I was 3, and I think I learned a lot there.
posted by See you tomorrow, saguaro at 6:36 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I actually don't remember anything about learning to read or write, except for when we started cursive in 3rd grade. I went to pre-K in Cambridge when I was 3, and I think I learned a lot there.
posted by See you tomorrow, saguaro at 6:36 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Interesting...I'm not sure anyone actually explicitly taught me to write numbers. (I'm one of the "no"s above.) I went to a Montessori school where I recall there were flat wooden squares with letters and numbers made of sandpaper that you were supposed to trace your fingers over to, I guess, learn on your own with more sensory modalities. Or something.
I do remember my mother teaching me "greater than" and "less than" as "the birdie opens its beak towards the bigger strawberry".
posted by LadyOscar at 7:47 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I do remember my mother teaching me "greater than" and "less than" as "the birdie opens its beak towards the bigger strawberry".
posted by LadyOscar at 7:47 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, a Gen-Xer from Baltimore, but I *do* write my 5s in the order described by the device.
posted by missmobtown at 8:28 PM on October 19, 2022
posted by missmobtown at 8:28 PM on October 19, 2022
No, Gen X from the south.
posted by less-of-course at 11:00 PM on October 19, 2022
posted by less-of-course at 11:00 PM on October 19, 2022
teaching me "greater than" and "less than" as "the birdie opens its beak towards the bigger strawberry"
On first introduction to < and > it immediately occurred to me that both had a narrow side and a wide side, and that the wider side faced the bigger thing. I remember the feeling of being pleased by this, and also of being pleased by noticing that their friend the = symbol consisted of two of the same thing laid side by side.
All of those symbols struck my tiny self as obvious to the point of inevitability and for years I was taken aback every time I saw somebody else display the slightest bit of confusion as to their meanings; the symbols are simply correct as they stand, their designs are beautiful, and how could anyone possibly fail to see that? Had somebody attempted to pollute that beauty by offering me superfluities about birdies and strawberries, I would certainly have interpreted those as puerile and condescending and become quietly, counter-productively enraged.
I don't specifically remember being taught how to write a 5 but I do remember what kind of kid I was because I still experience a fast flash of the same insufferable arrogance every time I witness somebody else trying to dress up the bleedin' obvious in a load of old tat. And I would remember the street and corner and hat thing if I had been taught it, because I would have been carrying the irritation it certainly would have caused around for my whole life.
I still resent the hell out of having been taught the rather similar "rabbit pops up out of the hole, ducks round the back of the tree and then back down the hole" rule for tying bowline knots because it completely fails to address the issue that always fucks those up for me, which is achieving the correct construction of the "tree" and the "hole" in the first place. All that the fucking rabbit does, every single time I'm trying to concentrate on feeling the bowline shape I'm aiming for so as not to fuck it up, is fill my head with distracting sing-song little earworms. Drives me nuts.
Learning is weird, and students are weirder, and teaching well is hard.
posted by flabdablet at 11:35 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
On first introduction to < and > it immediately occurred to me that both had a narrow side and a wide side, and that the wider side faced the bigger thing. I remember the feeling of being pleased by this, and also of being pleased by noticing that their friend the = symbol consisted of two of the same thing laid side by side.
All of those symbols struck my tiny self as obvious to the point of inevitability and for years I was taken aback every time I saw somebody else display the slightest bit of confusion as to their meanings; the symbols are simply correct as they stand, their designs are beautiful, and how could anyone possibly fail to see that? Had somebody attempted to pollute that beauty by offering me superfluities about birdies and strawberries, I would certainly have interpreted those as puerile and condescending and become quietly, counter-productively enraged.
I don't specifically remember being taught how to write a 5 but I do remember what kind of kid I was because I still experience a fast flash of the same insufferable arrogance every time I witness somebody else trying to dress up the bleedin' obvious in a load of old tat. And I would remember the street and corner and hat thing if I had been taught it, because I would have been carrying the irritation it certainly would have caused around for my whole life.
I still resent the hell out of having been taught the rather similar "rabbit pops up out of the hole, ducks round the back of the tree and then back down the hole" rule for tying bowline knots because it completely fails to address the issue that always fucks those up for me, which is achieving the correct construction of the "tree" and the "hole" in the first place. All that the fucking rabbit does, every single time I'm trying to concentrate on feeling the bowline shape I'm aiming for so as not to fuck it up, is fill my head with distracting sing-song little earworms. Drives me nuts.
Learning is weird, and students are weirder, and teaching well is hard.
posted by flabdablet at 11:35 PM on October 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
like how we all know the alphabet song
Ok, don't leave me hanging... what's "the alphabet song"?
(I think I'm just joking.)
posted by mean square error at 4:05 AM on October 20, 2022
Ok, don't leave me hanging... what's "the alphabet song"?
(I think I'm just joking.)
posted by mean square error at 4:05 AM on October 20, 2022
The Alphabet Song | Kids Songs | Super Simple Songs - YouTube
posted by zengargoyle at 4:48 AM on October 20, 2022
posted by zengargoyle at 4:48 AM on October 20, 2022
The alphabet song doesnt work under britsh english, i wonder if it is popular outside of the US.
posted by Mitheral at 5:49 AM on October 20, 2022
posted by Mitheral at 5:49 AM on October 20, 2022
Why doesn't the alphabet song work in British English? (It's popular in Canada)
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:54 AM on October 20, 2022
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:54 AM on October 20, 2022
Because double yew ecks, why and zed.
posted by flabdablet at 7:18 AM on October 20, 2022
posted by flabdablet at 7:18 AM on October 20, 2022
'W' is ;the only polysyllabic letter of the alphabet. We can go Greek and alpha beta gamma delta epsilon and re-create English "a b g d e" -> "Have a good day!" (George Carlin joke).
Shades of learning English/Greek alphabet backwards for reasons.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:39 AM on October 20, 2022
Shades of learning English/Greek alphabet backwards for reasons.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:39 AM on October 20, 2022
It might also be Steve Martin or Gallagher. It's old I say its a joke son! - YouTube joke.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:04 AM on October 20, 2022
posted by zengargoyle at 8:04 AM on October 20, 2022
Why doesn't the alphabet song work in British English?
Zed doesn't rhyme with vee.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:15 AM on October 20, 2022
Zed doesn't rhyme with vee.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:15 AM on October 20, 2022
Zed doesn't rhyme with vee.
So? the last line doesn't rhyme. Still works. I still sing it. All the kids still sing it. Sometimes the last line doesn't rhyme and that's what makes it funny.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:33 AM on October 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
So? the last line doesn't rhyme. Still works. I still sing it. All the kids still sing it. Sometimes the last line doesn't rhyme and that's what makes it funny.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:33 AM on October 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
teaching me "greater than" and "less than" as "the birdie opens its beak towards the bigger strawberry
fish's mouth in my classroom, like any hungry animal is a choosy beggar
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:16 AM on October 20, 2022
fish's mouth in my classroom, like any hungry animal is a choosy beggar
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:16 AM on October 20, 2022
Crocodiles eat the bigger numbers, and I had no idea any of you people were writing 5s like that. I'm with The Wrong Kind of Cheese in the proper way to write a 5.
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:59 PM on October 20, 2022
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:59 PM on October 20, 2022
No. 52. NJ
posted by dancinglamb at 2:40 PM on October 20, 2022
posted by dancinglamb at 2:40 PM on October 20, 2022
Heh, the "birdie" explanation wasn't because greater than and less than were complicated, but because in our household Everything Had To Involve Animals to be interesting. There's a reason I became a biologist....
posted by LadyOscar at 5:34 PM on October 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by LadyOscar at 5:34 PM on October 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
No 50s New Mexico
posted by Lookinguppy at 9:30 AM on October 21, 2022
posted by Lookinguppy at 9:30 AM on October 21, 2022
No, early Gen X, Philly
posted by JawnBigboote at 2:56 PM on October 21, 2022
posted by JawnBigboote at 2:56 PM on October 21, 2022
No. Mid-50s. Maryland/DC suburbs.
I am 52 years old and literally every single time I write a number five I say "down the street, around the corner, put your hat on" to myself.
I still sing Mr Rogers when I spell friend. "F-R-I-E-N-D special. You are my friend; you're special to me"
posted by terrapin at 6:49 AM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am 52 years old and literally every single time I write a number five I say "down the street, around the corner, put your hat on" to myself.
I still sing Mr Rogers when I spell friend. "F-R-I-E-N-D special. You are my friend; you're special to me"
posted by terrapin at 6:49 AM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
No, 37, female, Morgantown, West Virginia and now live in Richmond.
posted by shortyJBot at 5:53 PM on October 24, 2022
posted by shortyJBot at 5:53 PM on October 24, 2022
No, same age as you literally, and PeeBeeDee MA
posted by not_on_display at 10:40 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by not_on_display at 10:40 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I was browsing the front page of Reddit and came across this, thought you might find it interesting.
r/dankmemes: how do u write number 5
I looked through most of the 2600 comment thread and then looked through most of it again looking for a comment I was going the quote here, but I lost it. I did not wake up this morning expecting to read 5000 comments of dankmemes.
Anyway, there are several mentions of "Down the road/street, around the corner/curve/block, don’t forget your hat/oops I forgot my hat" or similar. Sometimes it's a top hat and at least once it was a flag (How To Write The Number 5.)
Gen-X, East Bay. I don't remember the rhyme, but I do think of the top line of the number 5 as the hat, so maybe?
posted by ActingTheGoat at 7:13 PM on November 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
r/dankmemes: how do u write number 5
I looked through most of the 2600 comment thread and then looked through most of it again looking for a comment I was going the quote here, but I lost it. I did not wake up this morning expecting to read 5000 comments of dankmemes.
Anyway, there are several mentions of "Down the road/street, around the corner/curve/block, don’t forget your hat/oops I forgot my hat" or similar. Sometimes it's a top hat and at least once it was a flag (How To Write The Number 5.)
Gen-X, East Bay. I don't remember the rhyme, but I do think of the top line of the number 5 as the hat, so maybe?
posted by ActingTheGoat at 7:13 PM on November 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rodlymight at 7:25 PM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]