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New book traces nursery rhymes' origins

LONDON, March 2 (UPI) -- A British historian claims traditional British nursery rhymes contain adult-themes and sexual references in his new book about the verses' origins.

Chris Roberts, a social historian and librarian at East London University, has written "Heavy Words Lightly Thrown" to describe hidden meanings in "Jack and Jill," "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary," "Goosey, Goosey, Gander" and 21 other traditional children's verses, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.

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Roberts' research of the real stories behind the rhymes, from the alternative words and meanings to how they were passed from parents to children, occurred during Roberts' annual summer walking tours throughout London.

In Jack and Jill's seemingly innocent trek to fetch a pail of water, Roberts thinks the pair lost their virginity and Jill may have become pregnant.

"Goosey goosey gander, where do you wander?" describes the spread of goose pimples brought on by sexually transmitted diseases, Roberts said. "Rubber, dub dub, three maids in a tub" may be about 18th century peep shows, he said.

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