Solomon Grundy

"Solomon Grundy" is a traditional English nursery rhyme first formally recorded and published in 1842 by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, a notable collector of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. The rhyme is a metaphorical depiction of the entire human life cycle compressed into a single week, with each day marking a significant life event from birth on Monday to burial on Sunday. Beyond being a mnemonic device to help children learn the days of the week, it serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility and fleeting nature of human existence. The name "Solomon Grundy" is thought to be a phonetic derivation of "Salmagundi," a pickled fish pâté that was popular in Jamaican, French, and English cuisine. The rhyme's themes of mortality have given it lasting cultural impact, even inspiring the undead villain character in DC Comics.