Title: Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: The Reason Behind the Rhyme
Author: Chris Roberts
Publisher: Gotham Books
Year Published: 2005

This little book turned out to be nothing like I expected. I assumed, for whatever reason, that it would be a critical analysis of the origins of popular nursery rhymes, and I originally purchased it for that very reason. I wanted to read more of those types of writings in hopes that my own critical writing would become stronger. What I discovered was a playful, comic romp not only focused upon the origins of rhymes like “Humpty Dumpty” and “Yankee Doodle,” but also upon common misconceptions and even modern renditions and evolutions.

Heavy Words is as much a tome on British history as it is an investigation into the origins of nursery rhymes. And though it is very evident that a tremendous amount of scholarly research went into its creation, it in no way is, itself, a scholarly type of publication. Roberts does not cite his research materials, nor provide any kind of textual evidence for his theories. A few major works that would be a good place to start for additional research are listed in the final pages, but Roberts chose to go a different direction with his work, and I am quite pleased with the result.

Roberts has a wonderful voice, bringing a humorous slant on some of the least attractive moments of British history. Especially helpful, and almost worth the price of the book alone, is the glossary he provides at the back of the book. His voice is so wonderfully colloquial that he felt the need to translate some of his more British sayings for us poor Americans. Most I had already heard at some point or other, but there were more than a few political references that were lost on me.

While I certainly won’t recommend this book for everyone, if you enjoy quirky history and etymology, then Heavy Words Lightly Thrown will likely be right up your alley. All in all, I wound up very pleasantly surprised and had a difficult time putting it down.