RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: bykerlads on Friday 06 March 15 17:52 GMT (UK)
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I was asked today if I knew of any special numbering system used in West Yorks for the counting of sheep. Apparently in other areas of the North special numbers for 1-20 are used by sheep farmers.
Any members of local farming families who might know?
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Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan_tan_tethera and scroll down.
Mo
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Yan Tan Tethera Pimpa Methera Dick is all I can remember
(presume it is Yorkshire --taught to me by my Yorkshire-born mother - but her fathers family was from Lincolnshire originally)
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Jake Thackray sang about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiXINuf5nbI
Nanny Jan
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thanks, folks.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan_tan_tethera
Scroll down link to 'Systems by region'
Then look at 'Tong' for West Riding then to of now West Yorkshire
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I recently replied to a thread on either Common Room or Lighter side, on this very topic, with words I knew from childhood - I think it was headed something like "Nonsense Rhymes".
I recall Yan, Tan, Tethera, Methera, Pip ( 1-5) then Taytor, Leytor, Overa, Covera, Dix,(6-10). Then it went Yan a Tehtera (11) and similar, upwards. I seem to recall 15 was "Bum(or bun)fit. Apparently, as I learned on that thread, there are many very similar systems all over, mainly in sheep areasin England and Wales. There seem to be many minor differences, but also loads of similarities from area to area.
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One can see where the saying 'Count sheep' to get to sleep comes from - trying to remember or learn them words. ;D
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Ha! Brilliant!
ZZzzzzzzzzzzz.....