A Conversation for Ring-a-ring o' roses
Sneezing
Gnomon - time to move on Started conversation Sep 5, 2000
In Ireland, we used to say "Asha, asha" instead of "Atishoo, Atishoo". This is to my mind a much more realistic sneeze, although I have heard a person once actually say "atishoo" as they sneezed.
The American "ashes" is probably a corruption of "asha" - there is a huge population in America who claim Irish descent. They probably tried to make asha into a proper word, and then tried to think up a reason for it.
Sneezing
Researcher 226900 Posted May 3, 2003
Actually, as an American, I would have to correct your information.
It is very popular here, instead, to sing that verse as "upstairs, downstairs... we all fall down". I have heard that this line is talking about the class system the English have cherished for ages.
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