Sticks and Stones

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is the comeback children fire back at a tormentor, a verbal shield against name-calling. It first turned up in print in 1857, though, as modern educators are quick to point out, the claim that words cannot hurt is not really true.

Origins

While the sentiment regarding the difference between physical harm and spoken words is ancient, the specific "sticks and stones" phrasing first appeared in print in the mid-nineteenth century. The earliest known record was published on July 23, 1857, in Liverpool's Northern Times in an article by F.R. Horner, who cited it as a common "schoolboy's rhyme." By 1862, the proverb had crossed the Atlantic and was published in the American journal The Christian Recorder, described as an "old adage."

Meaning & Interpretation

The proverb is intended to teach children that spoken insults and name-calling have no power to cause physical harm. By comparing physical injuries (broken bones from sticks and stones) to verbal taunts (which cannot cause physical damage), the rhyme advises children to ignore verbal bullying and avoid responding with violence. Over the years, educators and psychologists have noted that while the rhyme is a useful tool to help children develop coping mechanisms, words can in reality cause significant emotional distress. Nevertheless, the proverb remains a popular, direct way for children to assert their independence and refuse to let teasing affect them.

What is the origin of the Sticks and Stones chant?

The chant is a traditional English playground proverb that was first recorded in print in Liverpool, England, in 1857, where it was described as a common schoolboy's rhyme.

What is the meaning of the Sticks and Stones proverb?

The proverb advises children to ignore verbal insults and name-calling, pointing out that words cannot cause physical harm in the way that weapons like sticks and stones can. It promotes emotional resilience in the face of bullying.