René's URL Explorer Experiment

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/here-we-go-round-the-mulberry-bush-dark-origins","headline":"The Likely Origins Of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” Are Surprisingly Dark","description":"Nursery rhymes tend to be about dark subject matter if you look closely. “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” is an exception, with perfectly innocent lyrics—despite a very troubling theorized origin.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Meagan Bojarski"},"datePublished":"2026-06-28T20:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-06-28T20:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/here-we-go-round-the-mulberry-bush-dark-origins"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/dark-meaning-lucy-locket","headline":"The Scandalous Story Behind \"Lucy Locket\"","description":"The nursery rhyme \"Lucy Locket\" might be tied to an 18th-century love triangle. Learn the scandalous history behind the famous children’s verse.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nitya Rao"},"datePublished":"2026-03-17T20:02:03Z","dateModified":"2026-03-17T20:02:03Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/dark-meaning-lucy-locket"}}

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/morbid-meaning-ring-around-the-rosie","headline":"The Chilling History Behind 'Ring Around the Rosie'","description":"Does this innocent children's game double as one of the darkest nursery rhymes ever written? ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-03-01T15:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-03-01T15:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/morbid-meaning-ring-around-the-rosie"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/disturbing-meaning-rock-a-bye-baby","headline":"The Murky History of 'Rock-a-bye Baby'","description":"Uncover the hidden history of the nursery rhyme parents have sung to their children for generations. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-02-19T23:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-02-19T23:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/disturbing-meaning-rock-a-bye-baby"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/little-miss-muffet","headline":"The Mystery Behind Little Miss Muffet and Her “Tuffet”","description":"A deep dive into the origins and meaning of the classic nursery rhyme “Little Miss Muffet.”","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2025-09-07T10:03:00Z","dateModified":"2025-09-07T10:03:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/little-miss-muffet"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/london-bridge-is-falling-down-meaning","headline":"The Dark Theories Behind the “London Bridge Is Falling Down” Nursery Rhyme","description":"There are a handful of dark theories about the rhyme’s inspiration—ranging from a Viking invasion to human sacrifice—but we’ll cross that bridge when get to it. First up, let’s break down the known history of the tune. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T18:04:00Z","dateModified":"2024-04-12T18:04:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/london-bridge-is-falling-down-meaning"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/muffin-man-nursery-rhyme-meaning","headline":"The True Origins of “The Muffin Man” Nursery Rhyme","description":"Was the \"Muffin Man\" nursery rhyme created to warn people about a serial killer? We investigate its alleged dark origins.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2024-02-15T14:00:01Z","dateModified":"2024-03-20T14:18:42Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/muffin-man-nursery-rhyme-meaning"}}

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/little-jack-horner-rhyme","headline":"The Unexpected History of the ‘Little Jack Horner’ Nursery Rhyme","description":"Like most nursery rhymes, rumors have long swirled about its allegedly dark origin story—one that’s said to involve Henry VIII and bribery.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2024-04-19T22:02:00Z","dateModified":"2024-04-19T22:02:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/little-jack-horner-rhyme"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/frere-jacques-meaning-origins","headline":"“Frère Jacques”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme","description":"This simple nursery rhyme comes with a number of unanswered questions about everything from its authorship to who inspired it. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jane Alexander"},"datePublished":"2024-05-13T18:04:00Z","dateModified":"2024-05-13T18:04:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/frere-jacques-meaning-origins"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/jack-sprat-nursery-rhyme","headline":"The Possibly Royal Origins of the ‘Jack Sprat’ Nursery Rhyme","description":"Although “Jack Sprat” may not be in the nursery rhyme limelight, the two theories behind its meaning—both of which involve royalty—are just as interesting as the origins of better-known rhymes.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2024-07-01T18:02:00Z","dateModified":"2024-07-01T18:02:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/jack-sprat-nursery-rhyme"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/words-to-pop-goes-the-weasel","headline":"‘Pop! Goes the Weasel’: The Real Meaning Behind the Nursery Rhyme","description":"You may think you know the words to “Pop! Goes the Weasel.” The tune is everywhere from jack-in-the-box toys to Data and Riker’s first encounter in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. But it may not even be about a weasel at all.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2024-08-06T18:03:00Z","dateModified":"2024-08-06T18:03:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/words-to-pop-goes-the-weasel"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/georgie-porgie-lyrics","headline":"‘Georgie Porgie’: The Royal Origins of the British Nursery Rhyme
","description":"“Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie / Kissed the girls and made them cry.”","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2024-08-26T22:02:00Z","dateModified":"2024-08-26T22:02:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/georgie-porgie-lyrics"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/rub-a-dub-dub-nursery-rhyme-origins","headline":"The Surprisingly Lewd Origins of the “Rub-a-Dub-Dub” Nursery Rhyme","description":"The popular nursery rhyme may have emerged in the 14th century—and it didn’t have anything to do with bathing.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Tim Brinkhof"},"datePublished":"2024-11-08T18:01:00Z","dateModified":"2024-11-08T18:01:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/rub-a-dub-dub-nursery-rhyme-origins"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/dark-origins-11-classic-nursery-rhymes","headline":"The Dark and Mysterious Origins of 10 Classic Nursery Rhymes","description":"When it comes to pure terror fuel in prose form, Stephen King has got nothing on Mother Goose. Some have speculated that these nursery rhymes have roots in Viking rampages and plagues.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jennifer M Wood"},"datePublished":"2015-10-28T09:50:00Z","dateModified":"2023-03-14T08:38:27Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/dark-origins-11-classic-nursery-rhymes"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/6-forgotten-nursery-rhymes-and-their-meanings","headline":"6 Forgotten Nursery Rhymes and Their Meanings","description":"","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Therese Oneill"},"datePublished":"2014-11-19T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-03-13T19:57:26Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/6-forgotten-nursery-rhymes-and-their-meanings"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/nursery-rhyme-interpretations","headline":"10 Interpretations of Popular Nursery Rhymes","description":"You’ve probably grown up your entire life without putting much thought into the nursery rhymes drilled into your head. But there are tales behind each of them—some pretty dark. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Stacy Conradt"},"datePublished":"2024-04-30T12:01:00Z","dateModified":"2024-04-30T12:01:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/nursery-rhymes/nursery-rhyme-interpretations"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/real-mythology-helped-inspire-jrr-tolkien-elves","headline":"The Real Mythology That Helped Inspire J.R.R. Tolkien's Elves","description":"How Old Norse sagas, Anglo-Saxon poems, and Irish mythology helped J.R.R. Tolkien transform tiny Victorian fairies into the majestic Elves of Middle-earth.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-11-11T23:00:03Z","dateModified":"2026-11-11T23:00:03Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/real-mythology-helped-inspire-jrr-tolkien-elves"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-lord-of-the-rings-character-one-quote","headline":"Quiz: Can You Name the ‘Lord of the Rings’ Character From One Clue?","description":"In honor of the third season of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ releasing, test your knowledge on the characters in Middle-earth.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Alexandria Ingham"},"datePublished":"2026-11-11T15:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-11T15:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-lord-of-the-rings-character-one-quote"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/kurt-vonnegut-best-worst-books","headline":"The Books Kurt Vonnegut Considered His Best—and Worst","description":"In 1981, Kurt Vonnegut gave his own books a report card from A+ to D. Here is how he graded his best work—and the self-portrait that got his lowest mark.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-11-11T01:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-11T01:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/kurt-vonnegut-best-worst-books"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/jane-austen-daily-routine","headline":"The Surprising Daily Routine Jane Austen Followed While Writing Her Novels","description":"Jane Austen never had a room of her own. Instead, she completed all of her published works in the middle of her family's bustling sitting room in their Chawton cottage.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-11-10T23:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-10T23:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/jane-austen-daily-routine"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/what-readers-thought-dracula-when-published-1897","headline":"What Readers Thought of 'Dracula' When It Was Published in 1897","description":"'We would not, however, recommend it to nervous persons for evening reading.'","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jane Alexander"},"datePublished":"2026-11-08T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-08T17:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/what-readers-thought-dracula-when-published-1897"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/why-bram-stoker-dracula-almost-had-different-name","headline":"Why Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' Almost Had a Very Different Name","description":"The novel had a different title until the last few weeks before publication, but nobody knows for sure who renamed it. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-11-07T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-07T22:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/why-bram-stoker-dracula-almost-had-different-name"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/government-politics/why-guy-fawkes-associated-with-anonymous-mask","headline":"Why Is Guy Fawkes Associated With the Anonymous Mask?","description":"Who was Guy Fawkes and how is he connected to the \"hacktivist\" group Anonymous?","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chelsea Thatcher"},"datePublished":"2026-11-05T21:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-05T21:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/government-politics/why-guy-fawkes-associated-with-anonymous-mask"}}

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/zombie-novels","headline":"8 Zombie Novels to Feast On","description":"Zombies might be most famous as onscreen villains, but they're the subject of a whole lot of gory, funny, and thought-provoking novels, too.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2026-10-31T17:00:03Z","dateModified":"2026-10-31T17:00:03Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/zombie-novels"}}