‘Tis the Season!

I’m willing to bet we’ve all done it. Done what? Thought you knew the words to a song only to find out that the lyrics to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” didn’t actually say “…there’s a bathroom on the right.” 

There’s a term for that, and it’s called a “mondegreen.” Sylvia Wright coined the name in 1954 when she recalled a childhood memory of her mother reading “The Bonny Earl of Murray,” and she misheard the words “laid him on the green” as “Lady Mondegreen.”

Author James Gleick says it’s a distinctly modern phenomenon due to the radio giving us improved communication and language standardization. He believes we wouldn’t have been able to recognize and discuss this shared experience otherwise. 

I’m so glad we’re discussing it today! So relax because Olive, the other reindeer, wasn’t really mean to Rudolph after all!

My family has our very own Christmas-themed mondegreen.
 
When my daughter Jamie was about four, she started using the word “govable.” We didn’t know where the word came from until a few years ago, but we knew the emotion she was trying to express… it meant she didn’t like something.

Fast forward to us watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with her two daughters, and suddenly, the light bulb went on. When Rudolph has to wear the fake black nose, he utters, “I don’t wanna. Daddy, I don’t like it. It’s not very comfortable.” But with the nose affecting his speech, “comfortable” sounds like “govable,” and the mystery was finally solved! (go ahead… pinch your nose and say “comfortable”)

Now have some laughs with these holiday-themed misheard lyrics:
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus… she thought that I was locked up in my bedroom fast asleep ?
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns. Let men their sins enjoy!
Outside, the snow is falling, and friends are calling, “You fool!”
Deck the halls with Buddy Holly, fa la la la la la la la la ?
See the grazing mule before us, fa la la la la la la la la ?
Oh, bring us some freaking pudding! ?
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear slave elves in the snow. ??
Bells on Bob’s tail ring, making spare ribs bright. What fun it is to ride and sing a slaying song tonight! ☠️

And, of course, there are some chicken ones, too!
He’s making a list of chicken and rice ?
Sing, choirs of angels. Sing on eggs all stationed. ?
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely eggs I’ll hear. ?

Your turn! I’d love to hear about your own mondegreen experiences, so please send me your misheard lyrics!

‘Twas the Night Before Chickmas

‘Twas the night before Chickmas, when all through the (hen)house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung on the coop with great care,
In hopes that some new treats soon would be there;
And Moo in her sweater and I with no cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap;
When out in the yard, there arose such a clatter,
I made Chris get up and see what was the matter.
Away to the window, he flew like a flash,
But then quickly felt a rush of cold air on his *ash.
When what to his half-asleep eyes should appear,
But a small herd of 12 of our neighborhood deer.
They spoke not a word but went straight to work
And filled the chick’s stocking with cracked corn and beef jerk.
I heard Chris exclaim as they ran out of sight
Merry Chickmas to all, and to all a good night! ??

Thanks for reading (and sharing!) Fowl Language

As 2023 winds down, I feel all warm and fuzzy as I reflect on the year gone by. It’s truly been an honor to have been trusted with your linguistic challenges and word woes. Keep sending them my way because my wish is for everyone to be JOLLY, too!

Some of the services I’ve provided – writing blog posts, articles, newsletters, and bios; proofreading and editing memoirs, emails, newsletters, websites, children’s books, brochures, prayer journals, ebooks, online course materials… and a partridge in a pear tree… whew!!

I hope this holiday season brings many opportunities to create wonderful memories with your loved ones. And, btw, the #jollychickens gotta eat… and contrary to popular belief, chicken scratch ain’t cheap (neither are heated waterers and coop Christmas lights), so I appreciate referrals! ?

About Us

“Us” is me, Jennie Jolly – the Diva of Diction… the Empress of Editing… the Mistress of Manuscripts! (I’m not bragging because ChatGPT gave me those titles!)

I solve one big problem for my clients: I keep their message edited, elevated, and effective by providing excellent editing + proofreading + content writing services. A well-edited piece is as satisfying as a coop full of contented hens! So, step into my henhouse, shake off the dust, and let me help you cultivate your best writing yet.

Learn more about my services here.