Origins of the phrase "mother may I?"?

Question

Where did that phrase come from?

Why in that game do you say that phrase?

Answer 1

It all came from a game played by parents with their children.

Look at the link below :-)~

Answer 2

Mother May I Game

Answer 3

Meaning The phrase voiced by people who rap their knuckles on a piece of wood hoping for good luck. In the UK the phrase 'touch wood' is used. Origin May be the association that wood and trees have with good spirits in mythology, or with the Christian cross.

Answer 4

In years gone by,kids used to ask for permission to go some where or do something. Usually it was the mother.
In the game Mother may I, the "mother" told the "children" to do a task. Before the "children could do as told,they had to ask for permission to do it,hence"Mother may I........."

Answer 5

"Mother May I?”


It all came from a game played by parents with their children.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mother_may_...

Thanks for certain but the link to "wiki" gives one, well
no sense of what all it means. I am a very "anti" wiki person,
oh, it helps, I "use" it as a first step but"

"Mother May I?" Go on?

"Mother May I?”

Is a "certain game of Very Little Girls", it has roots in England and they date into the 1700's. It is allied, related with many other children’s games of the 19th century. The game was based upon songs and rhymes of England and America as well as many a “French Round” (French song) for children. We find it in Shakespeare’s literature and as well in Irish and Scottish songs and games. The poet Shelly used it often. It gets “worse” a few of these children’s rhymes and games ended up 60’s rock music: “Sally” “go round”, etc. “Sally go round the sun”, etc.

"Mother May I?” is a nursery jingle, hundreds of years old. It never reflected the real speech of children. Children never spoke the most accurate of grammar, especially boys and nor did their parents.



"Mother May I?” also has very somber, sad connotations, as well as religious applications. Many a soldier is said to have utter these words at or near the end.
If he was married and had a child his words were likely to his wife.

I could go on and on; and if asked will do so, luck has me as a Welsh-American so I can help in some of the “folk” questions.


The First Sketch of Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor - Page 203
by William Shakespeare David Nutt Folklore Society 1905
Mary who stands in the centre sings-“Father and mother, may I go, May I go, may
I go? Father and mother may I go in the cold and frosty morning?”

The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley; in Ten Volumes, Including Poems and Prose Sketches,... - Page 2
by James Whitcomb Riley - 1916
"Oh, mother, may I go to school With brother Charles to-day? The air is very fine
and cool; Oh, mother, say I may!"

Answer 6

Probably from back in the 50's. And then of course the game "Mother may I".

Answer 7

Ask your mother

Answer 8

This was a song I used to sing many moons ago.

Mother may I go out dancing?
Yes my darling daughter
Mother may I try romancing?
Yes my darling daughter

What if there’s a moon mama darling
And its shining on the water
Mother must I keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter

Mama must I keep on dancing
Keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter
Mama must I keep on dancing
keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter

What if he’ll propose Mama darling
As the night is growing shorter
Mother must I keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter

Mama must I keep on dancing
Keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter
Mama must I keep on dancing
keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter

What if there’s a moon and it’s shining on
Shining on the water
Mother must I keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter

Mama must I keep on dancing
Keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter
Mama must I keep on dancing
keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter

What if he should insist on fond embrace, mama
How’m I gonna keep him in his place?
If his manner becomes a shade improper
Tell him that your heart belongs to Papa

Mama must I keep on dancing
Keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter
Mama must I keep on dancing
keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter
Mama must I keep on dancing
keep on dancing?
Yes my darling daughter?