Taiwan Schoolyard Rhymes: Cross-Generational Humor from "ABC Dog Bites Pig" to "Alibaba Farts"

Exploring decades of oral culture in Taiwan's schools, from the language-blending "ABC Dog Bites Pig" to the surreal chain rhymes of "Grandma's Underwear" and "Alibaba," analyzing how these nursery rhymes carry children's collective memory and rebellious spirit.

Thirty-Second Overview: In Taiwan's schools, there exists an oral tradition not recorded in textbooks but demonstrating remarkable vitality within the ten-minute recess. This "mini-history" begins with Taiwanese-language creative nursery rhymes of era significance, contrasts with memory mnemonics co-opted by the system, and delves into playground physical games and modern memes filled with rebellious color. From the 2000s' "Chen Shui-bian scolds you for needing a beating" to the 2026 Alpha generation's "Sigma" code, these rhymes reflect Taiwan's social changes, differences in gender perspectives, and how children build their own secret bases in the cracks of discipline.

In Taiwan's elementary school playgrounds or after-school care pickup buses, you might hear a group of children reciting in unison: "Grandma's underwear, 360 degrees, flying up and down to the Dean's Office." These surreal, slightly taboo sentences often leave adults present bewildered. This phenomenon is widespread across Taiwan's campuses, representing a cross-generational collective memory.

Roots and Creation: The Foundation of Taiwanese Rhymes and Shih Fu-chin's Breakthrough

To understand the foundation of Taiwan's schoolyard oral culture, one must distinguish between traditional folk songs and creations with specific historical contexts. Classics like Tian Wu Wu (Sky is Dark) and Xi Bei Yu Zhi Zhi Luo (Northwest Rain Falls Straight Down) demonstrate "linguistic resilience" 1. However, many mistakenly believe Da Ma Jiao (Asphalt/Tar) is an "old folk song," but it is actually an original work by musician Shih Fu-chin (施福珍) in the 1960s 2. This song broke through the strict Mandarin policy restrictions during the Martial Law era, becoming one of the few Taiwanese-language creative nursery rhymes to enter the public eye.

In the 1970s to 1990s, the most famous hybrid nursery rhyme was undoubtedly "ABC Dog Bites Pig." The complete version of this rhyme is: "ABC dog bites pig, Uncle sits on an airplane, suddenly feels cold, calls the doctor to treat him, treats the leg bone, big and small limbs, treats the leg bone, big and small limbs" 3. It mixes the linguistic feel remaining from the Japanese colonial period with the post-war Mandarin policy, serving as a living specimen of "linguistic hybridity."

Discipline and Co-option: Memory Mnemonics Within the System and Their Parody

There exists a category of schoolyard rhymes "co-opted by the system," taught by teachers or textbooks, aiming to simplify memorization through rhythm. Interestingly, children often perform secondary creation on these official mnemonics, dissolving the boredom of learning and the sense of authority through absurd narratives 4.

Category Classic Mnemonic Children's Parody Version (Example of Power Dissolution)
Calendar 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 have 31 days, never wrong "1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 have 31 days, teachers beating people never wrong"
History If hungry, boil one eagle every day (Russia, Germany, France, USA, Japan, Austria, Italy, UK) Parody image: A group of hungry ghosts in the forest setting up a pot to boil a giant eagle, queuing for meals.
Literature Three Sus, Liu, Zeng, Wang; Han and Ouyang make eight families "Three Soviet Liu Trees once King, K-drama Oppas make eight families"
Literacy With side read side, without side read middle "With side read side, without side read middle, middle no word read two sides"

Physical Space on the Playground: Physical Games and Interactive Rhymes

Rhymes are not just sound; they are closely tied to "playground space" and "physical interaction":

  1. 《East West South North Qia Bei Bei》: Combined with paper-folding games, "East West South North Qia Bei Bei, break glass you must pay. Break glass you don't pay, I'll just call you Qia Bei Bei" 5.
  2. 《Stir-fried Radish》: Combines physical contact, "Stir-fry radish, stir-fry radish, chop chop chop, wrap dumplings, wrap dumplings, pinch pinch pinch, good child, good child, top notch" 6.
  3. 《007 Ah 007》: Originated from a guessing game in Hong Kong schools, evolving in Taiwan to "load bullets, protect net, shoot you dead," still active in after-school care and lower grades 7.

The Duet of Power Reversal: Grandma's Underwear and Falling into the Washing Machine

These two are often seen as the same series, but their structures differ. The "Grandma's Underwear" series became popular starting in 2020, core to which is combining the most private object with serious administrative units (Dean's Office, Police Station) 8.

https://www.facebook.com/ETtoday/videos/1858087451533054/

Video: Modern elementary students reciting the "Grandma's Underwear" rhyme in a Rap version 9.

"1234567, Grandma fell into the washing machine" is another independent short rhyme, centered on the "giggling" bystander perspective and the physical threat of "burning the little penis" 10. There are many variants, such as "Dad broke the air conditioner, Grandma thrown into washing machine, Mom has no little penis" 11.

The Wandering Aesthetics of Alibaba and Chain Rhymes

The most representative "wandering rhymes" are the "Alibaba" and "Strongman" series. Both often spread as independent openings:

  • Alibaba Series: Usually introduced by "Rock Paper Scissors, Rock covers Diaper," entering a long narrative: "Underwear stuck in the contact book, given to teacher as a gift. Teacher looked very angry, kicked you to the USA. US Miss is so beautiful, gives you a box of chocolate. Walking eating farting, Alibaba farts!" 12.
  • Strongman Series: Opening is "Once there was a strongman, pushed me to the Principal's Office. Principal asked me what's up, I said I can do magic. Produced a big underwear, given to Principal as a gift. Principal looked very angry, kicked me to the USA..." 12.

Deconstruction of Classic Literature and Cartoons

Globally famous cartoon characters and classic literature are not spared. This type of parody demonstrates children's humorous deconstruction of sacred and serious things:

  • 《Ren Zhi Chu》: "Ren Zhi Chu, nature is good, you study, I捣蛋 (make trouble), you shower, I peek, see two atomic bombs, blow me to pieces!" 13
  • 《Chuang Qian Ming Yue Guang》: "Bright moonlight before the bed, Li Bai drinks soy milk, drank a big vat, pooped in a pants" 13
  • 《Father Sun Yat-sen》: "Father Sun Yat-sen, came to Alishan, saw Lin Daiyu, washing vigorously. Long live, long live, long live long live!" 13
  • 《Invincible Iron Man》 (Grendizer): "Invincible Iron Man, wipe ding dang, wipe ding dang. Scientific weapons on body, body tall tens of zhang. Not afraid of hardship, not afraid of difficulty, toilet paper wipes butt, brave and strong!" 13
  • 《Add Oil Effort》: "Add oil effort, poop must use force, if can't come out no matter, at least fart a bit" 13

The Protagonist's Own Return: Chen Shui-bian and the "Need a Beating" Dialogue

The most era-specific political parody poem is complete as: "Your mood I understand, seeing beauty nosebleed, bleeding until midnight twelve, find homework not written, call Chen Shui-bian, Chen Shui-bian scolds you for needing a beating" 14.

This schoolyard meme received a divine reply twenty years later. In May 2026, former President Chen Shui-bian personally replied on Threads: "Chen Shui-bian says you need a beating" 15. This interaction, where the protagonist actively joins the subculture, has become a classic case of coexistence between Taiwan's political figures and schoolyard memes.

Chain Reaction: The Linking Aesthetics of "Miss Miss Don't Be Angry"

Another classic is "Miss Miss Don't Be Angry." The most charming aspect of this nursery rhyme is its "Ding Zhen (Link)" structure: "Miss Miss don't be angry, tomorrow take you to see opera. See what opera? See your dad runny nose. Nose, nose, shave head. Head, head, throw into sea. Sea, sea, Sea Dragon King. King, king, bastard. Egg, egg, swing. Pull, pull, morning glory..." 16.

Depending on the region, versions differ significantly:

  • Southern Sea Line Version: Connects to "Flower Prince, you are my toilet paper, wipe my butt every day."
  • Central/Northern Version: Connects to "Flower Fairy, paper plane, machine gun, Gun Big Brother, Gaozi Opera, Xi Xi dead mouse love to dance."

Academic Consensus on Little Rubber Ball: From Malan Flower to Banana Oil

Regarding the origin of "Little rubber ball, banana oil, flowers bloom everywhere twenty-one," there is a clear consensus in academic and folklore collection circles: it originated from the Chinese northern jump-rope song "Malan flowers bloom twenty-one" 17. After entering Taiwan, it evolved into "Little rubber ball banana oil." The "Economic History Theory" currently popular on the internet is mostly later fabrication, lacking empirical support.

Additionally, regarding the numerical analysis of "28, 29, 31," urban legends often associate them with murder case dates, but folklorists believe this is merely simple rhyming and rhythmic stacking, aimed at coordinating the cycle of jump rope or shuttlecock kicking.

Specific Stratification of Localization: Hakka, Indigenous, and Offshore Islands

Taiwan's schoolyard rhymes present specific local variants depending on geography and ethnic environment:

  • Hakka Areas: The complete lyrics for the famous Bo Gong Bo Po are: "Bo Gong Bo Po, no dead chicken no dead goose, dead a duck like bat lady, pork looks like starfruit, if love eat then eat, if not eat I also no way..." 18.
  • Indigenous Villages: Contemporary village schools have produced highly humorous hybrid rhymes, such as the parody version of the classic Mountain Children: "Mountain children, mountain children, Ai Le! Mountain children aren't wearing pants, Ai Sha! Mountain children ride Gogoro, hit utility pole, Zan La!" 19.
  • Offshore Islands (Kinmen): Appearances such as "Hong Long Hong Long Ping Peng Beng, thunder of nine heavens sounds by me" parodying the military Artillery Song.

Alpha Generation's Global Mix: From Skibidi to 67

By 2026, the Alpha Generation's (Gen Alpha) schoolyard language has connected with global short videos. The most famous is the code "67" (Six Seven). It originated from the rhythmic words of an American rapper, but in Taiwan schools evolved into a "only we understand" tacit code, often accompanied by rhythm: "6 7, 6 7, 6 7, 6 7, 678910!" 20.

Additionally, vocabulary like "Ohio" (absurd), "Rizz" (charm), "Sigma" (powerful), and "Fanum Tax" (stealing friend's food) are used mixed with Taiwanese and Mandarin. Children mimic Skibidi Toilet movements, singing together "Skibidi dop dop dop yes yes." This shows contemporary schoolyard rhymes have shifted from "local language hybridity" to "global meme synchronicity" 21.

Meme Evolution in the Digital Age: Jie Ge Don't and Cannot Be Lewd

Entering the digital age, the source of schoolyard rhymes has shifted from oral transmission to internet memes. A 2013 Ministry of Education promotional short video unexpectedly created the legend of "Jie Ge Don't," with lines "Let me see," "Jie Ge, don't!" remaining universal codes in schools ten years later. The spread of such memes reflects how children's subculture transforms originally serious material with educational meaning into "inside jokes" with social function.

The same phenomenon occurred with the viral "Cannot Be Lewd" in 2021. Originally just a meme image of a Shiba Inu being scolded, it developed a complex "Lewd Card" system in Taiwan. In elementary schools, students simulate dealing cards with hand gestures, shouting "Cannot Be Lewd!" This is both a language game and an identity tag based on digital empathy.

Linguistic Resilience and Children's Secret Base

The evolution of Taiwan's schoolyard rhymes is a micro-history of Taiwan's society. From Shih Fu-chin's Da Ma Jiao breaking through the era, to the Alpha Generation's global mix, these seemingly meaningless fragments are actually "secret bases" built by children in the cracks of the system.

References

  1. Fun Talk "Nursery Rhymes": From Tian Wu Wu to Bai Lu Si — Chairman Yang Zheng-kuan analyzes the background of Taiwan's traditional Taiwanese rhymes.↩
  2. Shih Fu-chin and Taiwan Nursery Rhymes: The Original History of Da Ma Jiao — Record of musician Shih Fu-chin creating Da Ma Jiao in the 1960s.↩
  3. Overseas Education Biweekly: ABC Dog Bites Pig Complete Lyrics — Records the complete content of the classic Taiwanese rhyme.↩
  4. Mnemonic: Association and Parody of If Hungry Boil One Eagle Every Day — Explores how historical mnemonics are mocked by students.↩
  5. East West South North Qia Bei Bei: 1980-90s Physical Paper-Folding Game — Classic schoolyard rhyme list.↩
  6. Fun Talk "Nursery Rhymes": Stir-fried Radish and Physical Interaction — Details physical interaction rhymes in Mandarin nursery rhymes.↩
  7. 007 Ah 007: Evolution from Hong Kong Guessing Game to Taiwan Schools — Describes the localization process of the 007 game.↩
  8. GeekVine: Aunt San's Eloquence Cannot Beat Elementary Students' Rhymes — Volunteer mother observes the challenge of schoolyard rhymes to administrative authority.↩
  9. ETtoday: Grandma's Underwear 360 Degrees Elementary Students Know This RAP — Reports the phenomenon of schoolyard rhyme popularity.↩
  10. 1234567 Grandma Fell Into Washing Machine: 2025 Popular Taboo Rhyme — Records the current high-frequency short rhyme appearing in schools.↩
  11. Yahoo News: "Mom Has No Little Penis!" Doctor Startled by Child's Rhyme — Reports pediatrician Chen Mu-rong observing this phenomenon in the clinic.↩
  12. Alibaba Farts: Structure and Variants of Chain Rhymes — Netizens recall classic chain rhymes.↩
  13. Classic Campus Parody: Ren Zhi Chu, Li Bai, and Invincible Iron Man — Records parodies of classic literature and cartoons.↩
  14. Your Mood I Understand: Chen Shui-bian and Need a Beating Rhyme Complete Version — Records early 2000s political parody poems.↩
  15. Liberty Times: Chen Shui-bian First Responds to "Need a Beating" Rhyme — Reports Chen Shui-bian's cross-generational interaction with netizens on Threads.↩
  16. Era and Regional Differences of "Miss Miss Don't Be Angry" — Hong Zhi-wen (H Jun)'s in-depth analysis of the evolution of different regional versions.↩
  17. Little Rubber Ball and Malan Flower: Evolution Path of Cross-Strait Nursery Rhymes — Analyzes the consensus that "Little Rubber Ball Banana Oil" originates from northern nursery rhymes.↩
  18. Hakka Nursery Rhyme: Lyrics and Folklore Meaning of Bo Gong Bo Po — Classic Hakka rhyme recorded by the Hakka Affairs Council.↩
  19. Threads: Mountain Children Not Wearing Pants and Gogoro Parody Version — Records contemporary hybrid rhymes popular in village schools.↩
  20. Instagram: Mysterious Number 67 Goes Viral! SIX-SEVEN New Trendy Word — Reports the origin and popularity of the Alpha Generation's latest code 67.↩
  21. Alpha Generation's Global Code: Skibidi and 67 School Popularity — Records the evolution of contemporary global schoolyard memes.↩
About this article This article was collaboratively written with AI assistance and community review.
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Nursery Rhymes Schoolyard Rhymes Campus Culture Taiwanese Language Social Observation Memes Indigenous Peoples Generation 67 Alibaba Shih Fu-chin
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