Only I probably shouldn’t.
As Kacey can testify to, I like to think that I have a gift when it comes to music. Although I can’t hold a note to save my life, I consider myself a lyricist. Kinda like the long lost twin sister to Eminem, only minus the tattoos, I live in the suburbs and I don’t have my own record label. Other than that, we’re practically the same person.
There are a few songs that I have memorized, but most I make up as I go along. It is never a problem if I forget the words. I am the queen of improv.
My method works just fine too. And, with the exception of my husband, no one seems to mind.
Until now.
My son has been learning different songs at pre-school. Namely, Where is Thumbkin? Every kid in America knows the words to this song at one point or another…
Where is Thumbkin?
Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away.
Run away.
But do you know the names of the remaining fingers? They all have a different identity.
There is Pointer, Ring Man, and apparently, the little finger goes by either Small Man or Pinkie.
You might already know this. But, do you know the name of the largest, and arguably the most important, finger on your hand? I looked it up today on Google. It is Tall Man.
The take home lesson from this post is that its name is not Middle Finger Man, as I have taught my son.
I clued into the actual lyrics when I picked up my son at pre-school and he announced, “Look Mama, I’m giving Teacher the middle finger, just like you taught me in the song.”
Somehow explaining to Giancarlo’s teacher the “funny story” behind this incident and that my four year old wasn’t flipping her off didn’t come out quite right.
I settled on quickly explaining that five different names for five different fingers is a lot to remember. For both of us.
Thanks for putting this stupid song in my head.
Oh, and I sort of have a crush on Eminem.
Kristina P.´s last blog ..Throwing in the Bowel
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Lately I’m most familiar with Pinky as Katie is “Pinky Promising” things with all her kindergarten friends. The latest: she “pinky promised” with Avalon to have her bring snow back from Tahoe for her.Apparently pinky promises work: there was a bucket of semi-melted snow on my doorstep yesterday.
And Riley likes to just point at random things with Tall Man. All. the. time. It’s his go-to pointer finger. I have no idea why but we’re trying to change it.
Liz´s last blog ..More, more, more
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:05 am
Hilarious story about Riley. I love that! It is funny how kids can unknowingly do the most innocent of things that we, as adults, look at and say, noooo!
PS: Loved the post from Keri about babysitting and getting to smell your baby’s head for 20 minutes. Totally made me smile.
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LOL! I bet you made his teacher’s day. Unless she is an older woman, then you probably offended her.
And I must thank you, I did not know that that finger was called tall man. You have saved me from making your same mistake so I think that this post as served us well.
Jen ´s last blog ..Distracted Mommy + Two Year Old Triplets = Much Mischief
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Cracking up. I’m sure the teacher laughed. She had too. How could you not? Thanks for the lesson. I’m on my last year of preschool with child #3 and I never knew the middle finger was Tall Man.
Jen@ODBT´s last blog ..a little of this and that
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ok…now that is just funny!!! I am almost tempted to teach my son the song that way!!
Liz@Loving Mom´s last blog ..The Well Runneth Over Dry
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BAAA HAAA giving his teacher the middle finger. Now that song does sound like the Eminem version. LOL
My girls got to meet him…they were in his video beautiful but their scene got cut. Bummer…but atleast they got fed and paid good money:)
He & Me + 3´s last blog ..I Wouldn’t Say That Out Loud…
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:07 am
Your girls were in an Eminem video?!?! What? How did I not know this, Mimi? Is there a post someone that I should be reading?
I love this!
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I’m sick….I thought that was hilarious!! I hope the teacher at least has a good sense of humor!
I only knew of thumbkin and pinkie…I didn’t know the other 3. Hopefully my kids don’t know either because I can only listen to that song for so long.
Helene´s last blog ..It makes my heart ache…
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OMG, you are such a dork! I thought you were going to regal us with lyrics from popular songs… not preschool stuff! Heeheeheeeeee
Justine
)
justine´s last blog ..Sunday Scramble 2-21-10
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Classic! It could have been worse. You could have taught him that it was “the flippin’ off the asshole cutting me off in traffic” finger. That probably would have meant a call to child protective services.
Jen´s last blog ..Pat Me Up, Pat Me Down
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I always call it middle. It is funny because I always stall at that one, trying to think if it had another name. You learn something new every day. Thanks EM! ;o)
Kameron´s last blog ..My Stir Fry
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I find it very odd that our fingers are referred to as any kind of man. Either way, if that’s the case, the tall man on my left hand is extremely impolite and I will for now on hold him accountable for his actions.
Cori´s last blog ..She’s Pretty Darn Rad
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:09 am
Most definitely. I couldn’t agree more. I think this is especially the case when driving.
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who else is up this early but us?!
kristin kaminski´s last blog ..I can walk again! I am HEALED! PRAISE BE MANIFEST JOY LIGHT NAMASTE DREAMCATCHER!
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Lol! good to know, thanks
Emmy´s last blog ..New Look, Prizes and Awards
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I am so not good with lyrics. It was just recently after the purchase of the Alvin & Chipmunks CD that I realized they sing “you spin me right round baby right round like a record baby.” Never knew they said record but really, what else did I think they were saying.
Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Chocolate Mousse Torte
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:16 am
You are a brave, brave woman! I am not sure that I could have bought that CD for my kids. I took my son to see the movie and have to admit that I was slightly glad when it was over.
Also totally understandable that you can’t understand them singing. I can’t understand them speaking!
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Tall man, huh? That description doesn’t seem to fit my finger. I may have to make something else up…
Barbara´s last blog ..Something New
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Oh my gosh, that is hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do remember that song on one of my kids super old Barney concert VHS tapes!
Alicia´s last blog ..GOOD MEXICAN EATS!
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Ummm, I had no idea Thumbkin had any friends I should have been singing about. Loser mom alert!!
Gibby´s last blog ..The Sleepover Initiation
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That is hilarious! I can only imagine what similar kinds of moments we’ll have once my daughter starts preschool next year!
I can remember the lyrics to every song on the radio, but I’m horrible with the ones to children’s songs. Any time they sing anything in my daughter’s classes I’ve always had to fake it and pretend like I knew the words.
No Princesses Here´s last blog ..Early Morning Survival Strategy
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Faking the words? Yup, check! I have totally done that one too. Glad to know that I am not alone.
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I’m awful at remembering the words to children’s songs. I wouldn’t have known “tall man” either. I mean, really, teaching him “middle finger” is really just a better way of preparing him for adult life.
Ronnica´s last blog ..Just Peeling Potatoes
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How did our mothers survived without Google I will never know.
mrs.notouching´s last blog ..“Clean” is in the Eye of the Beholder
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Wait, you mean there’s more than one verse to that song?
Oh Fran, you have SO much to teach me!
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Haha! So funny. Actually I did know about Tall Man but not the pinky?
See as moms we think we know so much- well enough to get our kids through preschool!! Guess not! Thank goodness for Google!
Brianne´s last blog ..Just a few things……
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Really I thought it was the middle finger too. I hope you took an award when you left. I am sorry I have not been by. I have to get your new address saved. OOps..
Amy´s last blog ..It is Random time..
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Ha! I just started singing that song to my 2 year old and I had no idea about the middle finger either! I also didn’t know how to sing that song without flipping off my own kid.
*sigh*…so much to learn. =)
Aimee @ Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog´s last blog ..GUEST POST:Hello…Hello…Yip-Yip-Yip
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Um, wow. “Tall Man” kind of loses some of his badassness when called by his g-rated name. Like, “the bitch in the purple van cut me off so I flipped her the tall man” just isn’t as effective is it??
x
Paula
http://www.adhocmom.com
adhocmom´s last blog ..Two Mom Bloggers Walked Into a Bar – Part Deux
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:50 am
You are cracking me up! Absolutely loving your sense of humor. So, should I conclude from this comment that you are driving a purple mini-van around NY, flipping other drivers off with your “tall man” when needed?
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adhocmom Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 9:39 am
You just made my day! It’s a non-daycare day, and the time could NOT be moving slower. Um, except no. I so WISH I had a mini-van. We don’t have wheels. . except of course strollers. Oddly, I have NEVER owned a car. Didn’t have one in college, so I was the annoying girl who ALWAYS NEEDED A RIDE. Then I moved to NYC, where cars are awesome to have, but a bitch to park. One of my friends just got a Traverse. I’m so envious I could spit. .
adhocmom´s last blog ..Two Mom Bloggers Walked Into a Bar – Part Deux
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 11:43 am
You are officially my new favorite person in the blogosphere. Heading over to subscribe to your blog now. Already following you on Twitter.
I TOTALLY understand what you are saying about days passing slowly. Yesterday was my day home with both kids. I think that if I say, I lived each and every moment, you’ll know exactly what I am saying.
Good luck today!
I always thought it was Middle Man. Maybe my daughter just felt too sorry for me to correct me.
She has recently been working very hard to hold each of her fingers up alone. “It’s not easy to do”, she tells me and when she finally mastered holding “Tall Man” up alone she was overjoyed. She now walks around waving Tall Man around at everyone who will look. Makes for some great glances my way.
becca´s last blog ..When the picture doesn’t tell the story
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:39 am
That is beautiful. Kids are always so proud of their little achievements…even when their parents’ are shaking their head in laughter, amazement, and/or a bit of embarrasment.
Thanks for sharing your story. Totally made me day.
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That is too funny! I always wondered about that finger-we would skip it in the song for very obvious reasons and I told my kids that finger was never used. It worked-never questioned it.
Btw: Thanks for stopping by!
Susan´s last blog ..Reality at its best
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Now that is brilliant! Just skip the middle finger all together. I think I am going to need to follow your lead. Thanks!
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That is just classic! I am so nervous about my son starting preschool. Who knows what he may say or do???
clueless mama´s last blog ..A Tasty Treat for you to EAT! Snow Ice Cream:)
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No i didn’t post about them being in the video..but it was super great experience. Their scene was supposed to be shot at a different location then where the first part was shot, but the people’s house in Detroit that they were supposed to use leaked the news and their was like 500 people waiting for him to show up. They had to improvise and because of that i think they went a different route and so that is why our scene got cut. It was cool to be in it and see how a video was made. They got to meet Eminem and he is very nice. They fed us all great food. we got to meet some other nice people in the industry too…so it was worth it.
He & Me + 3´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday-Can I Have My Boots Back?
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admin Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Such a great, great story, Mimi. Love that you shared it with me. Thank you, my friend!!
And it comes as no surprise that your amazingly beautiful girls were in a video. I have long believed that all your kids are destined for big things!
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Oh, yeah. You and Eminem. I see it.
Middle Finger Man, heh!
Holly at Tropic of Mom´s last blog ..A Disney/Nickelodeon weekend
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That is why I can’t use that song with my kindergartners anymore. My fifth graders, on the other hand, request it daily.
Deb´s last blog ..Confession: I Really Like It
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Hahaha… that’s funny! I have so many nursery songs in my head now, I kind of tend to blend them in to one somehow nowdays! You know like Good King Wenceslas who marched his men up and down the hill – not.
Luschka´s last blog ..365-42 to 365-48 A Week in Pictures
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Ha! Funny story. Our son, aka the Pastor’s son, recently was flipping people off in the lunch room. He, of course, had no idea what it meant, but the older kids did. The principal asked us to explain to him WHY this is inappropriate. His reaction? “But Mom! It’s JUST a finger!”
Esther´s last blog ..Thankful Thursday
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