What's the story behind this nursery rhyme?

Question

Peas Poridge Hot
Peas Poridge Cold
Peas Poridge In the Pot
Nine Days Old

Some like it hot
some like it cold
some like it in the pot
nine days old

Answer 1

The origins of this rhyme are unknown; it takes its name from a type of porridge made from peas, pease pudding, also known as pease pottage (in Middle English, "pease" was treated as a mass noun, similar to "oatmeal" and it is from that we get the singular pea and plural peas).

Where the terms "pease pudding" and "pease pottage" are used, the lyrics of the rhyme are altered accordingly.

Answer 2

They are saying you can eat you Poridge however you want to...I think Peas is the family last name.

Answer 3

This is what I got from searching....
"Pease pudding hot - the origins of the words are based on a traditional British dish. The pease pudding hot referred to in the words of this poem is a dish which is still enjoyed in Britain today. It is a smooth, thick sauce, (referred to as a pudding in the rhyme for the sake of alliteration) which has a dark yellow color. Pease pudding is a hot dish made from dried peas - it can be re-heated as often as required (Pease pudding in the pot - nine days old). Pease pudding is traditionally served hot with boiled bacon or a form of sausage called a saveloy."

Answer 4

Sounds like the medieval equivalent of a jingle. Maybe someone selling peas porridge made it up? If they were selling it in winter, then it could probably be effectively preserved by cooling it outside and then reheated over and over. Some foods change or "mature" in flavor each time they are reheated - assuming it wasn't burnt. Maybe there was a big discount on old, burnt porridge?

Answer 5

Actually, that's a great question. They are a combination of old folk tales, song lyrics and story-telling. A great form of entertainment. I wish more kids were introduced to this fun, innocent and creative way of thinking. I enjoyed many evenings with my uncle by the fireplace as a child, reciting old stories and songs with him. He used to make us apple cider, the real stuff, and not the store-bought stuff. We would get candied popcorn, rice krispie squares, and a kind of pastry with almonds and honey, it is Greek, baklava.

Some nights he'd be drunk off cheap Newfie blueberry wine or whiskey. Then he was really a riot. We would sing really loud and on his farm, it wasn't a big deal. Was never nice in the morning after the fruit wine. My Mom used to make him coffee on the stove and serve him burnt brown toast and a couple of aspirin, which helps. I recommend McDonald's to get rid of a hangover. Salt and fat does it everytime, plus lots of water before bed.

Answer 6

the poridge can be hot or cold when its 9 dayzz old
duhhh

Answer 7

does it mean old ladys like poridge cold?

Answer 8

The vegetable peas are good cold or hot regardless how old they are as long as you leave them in the pot....Next Rhyme?

Answer 9

porridge was a common meal of the lower class, comprised of whatever vegetable matter they could scrounge, maybe with an old chicken throw in, and thickened with dried bread. It took alot of fuel to cook, so they would make big cauldrons full of it and eat it for days.

Answer 10

The Wikipedia link below explains origin is unknown. The other link is a great soup recipe.