Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah
"Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah" is the lexigraphic representation of a common children's chant.
There are many other vocalizations for the tune. "Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah" is seen particularly in the eastern United States and modern Britain.[source?] Other manifestations include:
- "Neener neener neener" in the United States[source?]
- "Nanny nanny boo boo" in the southern United States[source?]
- "Na-na-na banana" in Israel[source?]
- "Na na na na nère" in France[source?]
- "Du kan inte ta mig" in Sweden (meaning "You can't catch me")[source?]
The initial taunt is sometimes followed by further verses using the same tune, for instance in America "Nanny nanny nanny goat, cannot catch a billy goat" or following "Nanny nanny boo boo" with "Stick your head in doo-doo". In Croatia, children sing "Ulovi me, ulovi me, kupit ću ti novine. Novine su skupe, poljubi me u dupe" (which means: "Catch me, catch me, [if you do that] I'll buy you a newspaper. Newspapers are pricey, kiss my tushie".[source?] Context-meaningful words may be applied ad hoc, such as "Johnny is a sis-sy" or "I can see your underwear!"[1]
Non-taunting uses are also seen, also associated with children. One tune for Ring a Ring o' Roses (which is sung to many variant tunes) uses the "Nyah nyah..." musical figure; a common tune for Bye, baby Bunting uses a similar figure.[2]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "A Feeling for Harmony: The 3-Semester Music Theory Course for Earlham College – Chapter 1E - Pentatonic Scale". Earlham College. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ↑ Albright, Daniel (1999). Untwisting the Serpent: Modernism in Music, Literature, and Other Arts. University Of Chicago Press. p. 94. ISBN 978-0226012544. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
