Yankee Doodle went to town a riding on a pony 1

[kjv1611]

Yankee Doodle went to town a riding on a pony,
Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni.

So, WHY did he call it macaroni? Why on earth would you call a feather, or the act of sticking a feather in a cap, macaroni?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[RegistrationMark]

actually macaroni is the pony's name, you're just informed of that fact later, for rhyme and meter's sake.

 

[KenCunningham]

I didn't know this but a 'macaroni' at the time was apparently a dandyish young man to whom appearance was all. The act of adding a feather to the caps of troops was presumably their attempt at adding such dandyism to the military experience.

I want to be good, is that not enough?

 

[kjv1611]

Interesting points. So, which is it: the rider or the pony that's a macaroni? Or was it a double-meaning type of deal?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Thadeus]

Yankee Doodle was poking fun at himself and the European culture... Now the interesting thing about such songs is how they wend their way through various writings and verses. Kind of like 'Ring around the rosie' which has many different versions.

So calling your dandified hat 'macaroni' because it has a feather it in it... What's the point?
Well if that particular writing was written by the British sympathizers, then it could well be a poke at the colonists trying to be cultured in their haberdashery like the Italians who were supposedly the height of such. If it was written by a rebellious colonist, it could be a poke in the eye of the Europeans to say, 'sure throw some feathers on your hat and you think you're all cool'.

Either way it comes down to commentary on haberdashery.

~Thadeus

 

[pinkgecko]

I've heard that the entire song was actually invented by the British to make fun of the Yankees, but the Americans ended up taking it over and making it their own. So the macaroni references is the equivalent to us today saying that if a redneck puts on his shirt, then he suddenly takes on airs because he thinks he's upper class.

Finally found a references that supports what I heard, although I can't vouch for the website.

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/yankee.html

[blue]Never listen to your customers. They were dumb enough to buy your product, so they have no credibility. - Dogbert[/blue]

 

[kjv1611]

Hmmm...
"haberdashery"

Now, I'm getting ready for some good ole (USA) "southu'n" hash! That's good eatin', now, let me tell ya!

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[KenCunningham]

My understanding now is that it was a British poke at the pretensions of the colonials, subsequently turned back on the Brits during and after the Revolution.

I want to be good, is that not enough?

 

[kjv1611]

if a redneck puts on his shirt, then he suddenly takes on airs because he thinks he's upper class.

[ROFL2]

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Bandenjamin]

PinkGecko:

Is it a nice shirt? I mean you know the real crisp K-mart wife beaters? You can't beat those!! Them's good dressin' clothes

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ WOO HOO what a ride!

 

[SantaMufasa]

For a comprehensive linquistic analysis of Yankee Doodle, click here.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[traingamer]

A dandy link, SantaMufasa.

Greg
"Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." - Winston Churchill

 

[addy]

So, WHY did he call it macaroni?

At the risk of sounding very simplistic, is it because it rhymes with Pony and as the right number of syllables for the verse to read correctly?

It's Friday afternoon, my deep thought levels are strictly off limits at the moment.

 

[WyldeCarde]

 

[jebenson]

Kitty!

I used to rock and roll every night and party every day. Then it was every other day. Now I'm lucky if I can find 30 minutes a week in which to get funky. - Homer Simpson

Arrrr, mateys! Ye needs ta be preparin' yerselves fer Talk Like a Pirate Day!