Golly, we messed up. We never went into the cellar last month. So let’s march down there right now, since it’s already March. We haven’t picked from the Silly Sayings box for quite some time, so let’s choose that box. You pick. I see that you’re sticking your hand way down in there. What fun. Here we go!
“See you later, alligator. After a while crocodile.” Good heavens! That’s a really old saying. There’s a couple stories about the origin of this Silly Saying.
It was one of several “cool” things that young kids and teenagers said during the early 1950s. Wow. A very long time ago when your grandparents or great-grandparents were your age. It was especially popular in the Southern part of the United States. (from Idioms by the Free Dictionary)
Robert Charles Guidry wrote the song, “See You Later Alligator,” and recorded it in 1955 under his stage name of Bobby Charles. He lived in Louisiana where alligators also live. His song became extremely popular when a new rock and roll band named Bill Haley and His Comets recorded it. (from Songfacts® Newsletter online, songfacts.com)
Rock and roll music was new then, different from other music styles and very popular with teenagers. It has high energy, is normally written in 4/4 time, played with electric instruments and drums and has a huge variety of lyrics. (from masterclass.com)
The dance craze was the jitterbug, a fast, swing dance that requires a lot of skill and stamina and is done to quick, upbeat music like rock and roll. Check out the videos to see how athletic these dancers are.
Fun things to do
- Ask your grandparents or great-grandparents if they remember this silly saying. Better yet, next time you speak with them you can say, “See you later, alligator,” when you say goodbye. I bet you they will reply with “After a while, crocodile.”
- Click on this link to see how people the ages of your grandparents or great-grandparents danced the jitterbug to “See you Later, Alligator.” I think you will be surprised!!
Use your phone or the internet to play some rock and roll music and dance the jitterbug with someone.
Click on the old black and white video below to see…..
3. Watch this modern jitterbug video from Dancing With the Stars
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