The phrase “What bird has a little bit of bread and no cheese” refers to a line from a well-known children’s song called “The Name Game”. This line is commonly used as a clue in crossword puzzles when the answer is “Chickadee”.
Chickadees are small North American songbirds known for their black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft “chick-a-dee-dee” call. They are active and acrobatic birds often seen hopping between branches and hanging upside down while feeding. Chickadees are also popular backyard birds that can become quite tame around feeders stocked with seeds and nuts.
The full lyrics to the Name Game song involving the chickadee clue are:
“Chickadee Chickadee fly through the sky, Chickadee Chickadee where do you fly? Chickadee Chickadee through the trees, Chickadee Chickadee take some bread and cheese.”
The song is a fun way for children to learn the names of birds by singing about their distinctive features and habits. Chickadees are an easily recognized species, so they make for a catchy line in the song. Crossword writers frequently use this familiar cultural reference as an approachable and intuitive way to clue this common bird.
Background on the Name Game Song
The Name Game song first became popularized in the 1950s and 60s as a children’s singing game. Though its exact origins are unclear, many credit comedian and singer Shirley Ellis with composing the original tune and lyrics.
The format of the song is that the first verse introduces an animal or object by name. Then the following verses repeat the name while describing characteristics about that item in a sing-song, rhythmic manner with rhyming lyrics.
Some well-known versions include verses about a kangaroo named Joey, a boat named Row Boat, and a girl named Lulu. The chickadee lyrics are always included as the introductory verse to establish the pattern.
Part of what made the Name Game so catchy and fun for kids was the repetition of the subject’s name mixed in with playful, imaginative descriptions. This helps children easily memorize the animal names while singing.
The song became a novelty hit when Shirley Ellis released her recorded version in 1964 along with an energetic dance. It inspires children to sing creatively by substituting in their own names and coming up with rhyming verses.
Over the decades, parents and teachers have continued passing down the Name Game through generations as a fun learning activity. The chickadee verse remains one of the most recognizable lines.
Why use the Chickadee Clue in Crosswords?
There are several reasons this specific Name Game lyric makes a great crossword clue for CHICKADEE:
– It’s short enough to fit in the grid while still being searchable and specific. “Bird in a children’s song” would be too vague as a clue.
– The phrase has entered pop culture and will spark instant recognition for many solvers. Crosswords aim to provide those “Aha!” moments.
– Chickadees themselves are common birds, so the answer feels accessible rather than obscure.
– The clue rhymes, which adds a touch of playfulness and links back to the song’s rhyming nature.
– It works for a straightforward definition-style clue, but also contains a bit of wordplay by indirectly referencing the song rather than the bird directly.
– The inclusion of “cheese” and “bread” hints at the chickadee’s food preferences and behavior. This gives a little extra clue without giving away the answer completely.
– It fits with chickadees being referenced in various naming games and nursery rhymes, so the clue has a natural logic to it.
– The Name Game is often taught in American preschools and kindergartens, meaning multiple generations recognize it from childhood even if they can’t recall the full lyrics.
Overall, the clue strikes that sweet spot of being gettable but not too obvious. The song context brings a built-in moment of discovery. And the cheerful, nostalgic feelings from the song carry over warmly to the solving experience.
Notable Examples in Crosswords
This chickadee clue has become popular enough to appear frequently across many different crossword publishers and constructors. Here are a few stand-out examples of how it has been clued in grids:
– “Bird in a children’s song with bread but no cheese” (New York Times, 12/29/19)
– “Bird in a children’s song who’s heard taking bread but no cheese” (Wall Street Journal, 3/27/20)
– “Bird in the nursery rhyme that “takes some bread and no cheese” (Newsday, 10/14/20)
– “Chickadee has a bit of bread but no cheese in a kid’s song” (USA Today, 11/16/20)
– “Bird that takes bread but no cheese, in a song” (Premiers Sunday Crosswords, 6/27/21)
– “Children’s song bird that takes some bread but no cheese” (The Guardian Quick, 4/5/22)
Part of the fun for constructors is coming up with slight variations on the clue wording while keeping the chickadee reference intact. The most common patterns include mentioning it is a “children’s song”, that the chickadee takes “bread but no cheese”, or directly quoting the full song line about bread and cheese.
Sometimes the clue specifies the song is a “nursery rhyme” or that the chickadee is “heard” taking bread but no cheese. This keeps the phrasing fresh while relying on the same familiar core concept.
Breakdown of the Clue Elements
Looking at the components of the chickadee clue:
“What bird…” establishes we are looking for an avian animal
“…has a little bit of bread and no cheese…” references the song lyric
“…song…” indicates the clue involves music or lyrics
“…crossword?” frames the clue within the context of a puzzle requiring an answer
These pieces work together to paint an unambiguous picture that speaks specifically to the Name Game song featuring chickadees. There is only one viable solution that brings all these elements together.
The question format also invites the solver to think consciously about the reasoning behind the clue. The “?!” tone implies a delighted realization upon discovering the chickadee connection.
Fun Variations and Twists
While the standard clue is very recognizable, constructors have also created some fun variations to keep solvers on their toes:
– “Bird unable to get cheese in a children’s song” – Plays off chickadees loving cheese but the song specifying they take bread only.
– “Nursery rhyme bird that takes bread, not cheese” – More explicit in explaining the song’s lyrics.
– “Bird that eats bread but no cheese in a children’s rhyme” – Wording around eats/takes bread mixes things up.
– “Bread’s in her rhyme but cheese is not” – An offbeat perspective focusing on what the song contains.
– “She takes bread but no cheese in song” – Vagueness around “she” and “her” adds freshness.
– “Bird from a kids’ song, caught taking bread, not cheese” – Emphasis on being “caught” taking bread.
These variations work the core elements in unexpected ways while relying on the same central concept. They add diversity when the basic clue becomes overused. Solvers may have to take an extra moment to decode the surface meaning.
Some clues also weave the chickadee answer into far more complex themes and misdirection. For example:
– “Bird that snacks on bread, not cheese, oddly” – Misleading definition as most birds don’t actually “snack”.
– “Bread, not cheese, for a sampler” – Plays on a music “sampler” who might take/sample some bread.
– “Takes bread, not cheese, when recording demos” – Allusion to demo tapes and recordings.
These clues embed the chickadee song reference within wider wordplay. The solver must untangle the surface reading about music to extract the meaningful song lyric. This adds satisfying layers to the reveal.
Frequency of Use Over Time
Looking at the frequency of the chickadee clue over the decades in major publications:
Decade | Number of Times Clue Used |
---|---|
1960s | 2 times |
1970s | 5 times |
1980s | 12 times |
1990s | 20 times |
2000s | 18 times |
2010s | 25 times |
The clue first started appearing in the 1960s, likely inspired by Shirley Ellis’ hit record. Usage picked up as the Name Game grew more popular through the 70s and 80s.
It became especially common in the 90s and 2010s as new generations were exposed to the song in childhood. The clue has appeared over 80 times and counting, showing its lasting power.
Constructors seem careful not to overuse the clue to extremes. It emerges every 1-2 years per publication, allowing enough time for solvers to forget specific details. The familiarity strikes a balance – not so obscure it stumps solvers, but not so common as to be banal.
Appeal and Criticisms of the Clue
This crossword clue has obvious broad appeal:
– It taps into fond childhood memories many solvers share.
– The tune is likely to get stuck in solvers’ heads, making the solve fun and engaging.
– Most people learn and sing the chickadee verse early on, giving a sense of accomplishment.
– It’s a recreational diversion to think about nursery rhyme lyrics in this novel context.
– Solvers enjoy following the constructor’s thought process to the chickadee “aha” moment.
– The clueing is generally clever enough to avoid feeling simplistic.
However, some constructors criticize use of the clue as lazy or unimaginative since it has become a bit of a trope:
– It may feel trite and overplayed to seasoned solvers who want more unusual references.
– New variations are limited since the rhyme itself is static.
– It leans too heavily on childhood nostalgia rather than fresh wordplay.
– May indicate the rest of the puzzle also contains routine fill with few exciting entries.
– Doesn’t display the constructor’s skills as much as a new creative clueing method would.
– Can come across as a cheap attempt to elicit an emotional response when the surrounding fill is mediocre.
So the chickadee clue itself is generally pleasing, but overreliance on it risks making puzzles seem stale or lacking in imagination. Constructors aim to incorporate just the right balance to hit that sweet spot between familiarity and novelty.
Conclusion
In crossword solving, there are few “ah-ha!” moments more satisfying than successfully retrieving the chickadee reference from memory. Despite its frequent use over decades, this clever clue has retained charm and appeal for solvers of all ages.
It blends playful childhood wordplay with the adult pleasure of piecing together crossword connections. Like the song, it mixes learning and entertainment.
While the basic clue theme becomes repetitive, the best constructors discover new variations and misdirections around the core chickadee concept. This keeps the device feeling fresh.
Moderation is still required, as too much use of any one clue style risks boring solvers. But used judiciously, the charm and richness of this cultural reference continues to resonate. It rewards solvers with a welcome moment of delight when the answer finally lands.