Dandling
Created | Updated Apr 10, 2014
'Dandling' is an unusual activity. Not common today, it was certainly practiced with great popularity in England and the Southern United States in the 19th and early 20th Century. When someone 'dandles' a child, (usually an Uncle or other male relative) the child is taken on the knee and bounced up and down - something which can cause sickness on a full stomach but otherwise has no physical effects and certainly crosses no known boundaries of propriety. This is certainly perceived as a comforting and responsible activity, certainly not any form of physical or emotional abuse. Dandling is referenced in many books, where you can read about rich old uncles with gold watch chains chuckling in a cheerful and pleasant manner saying ' I 'member when I used ta dandle you on mah knee, honey!'. As far as I know, no sexual implications are involved.
Dandling is also practiced by people the world over. At http://www.pinoystuff.com/folklore/rhymes/pongarcv.htm you will find a tagalog dandling rhyme. Also, there are traditional songs, such as the Northumbrian song 'Sandgate Dandling Song'. You can hear this at http://www.primecd.com/margo/sanddand.ram sung by Margo Hennebach.
Dandling is also practiced by people the world over. At http://www.pinoystuff.com/folklore/rhymes/pongarcv.htm you will find a tagalog dandling rhyme. Also, there are traditional songs, such as the Northumbrian song 'Sandgate Dandling Song'. You can hear this at http://www.primecd.com/margo/sanddand.ram sung by Margo Hennebach.
