The great debate for years was whether that charming children's spider song was sang as "the itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout" or as "the eency-weency spider went up the water spout." All the folks that aren't misguided have solved that debate a long time ago. We all know that the song goes as follows:
The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.
Now that the great debate is solved once and for all, it is time for a new debate. What is the proper way to read a newspaper? Yes there are options. You get to choose one of the following two options:
When you read the newspaper do you read everything on the page you are reading and then turn the page. Let's say there was a story about a golfer being outed as a scumbag. Only half the story is on the front page, at the bottom of the story is "continued on page 4." Do you immediately turn to page four and finish that story? Or do you read all the stories on the front page and then turn to the next page?
I read all the stories on the front page first and then go to page two read all the stories on page two and then move on to page three. I finish the articles as I come to them. Makes reading the paper a lot faster.
How do you read the paper?
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18 comments:
Oh, dear! I have a feeling the Itsy/Eensy debate wil flare up again. But good for you for putting the One True Way up for all to see.
How do I read the paper? Depends. When the kids are here, we pass it back & forth with no set routine except that nobody bothers with the sports section.
When I'm alone with my paper, I once in a while turn to page 21 to read the rest of a story, but more often read the front page part and when I get to page 21, set aside that part for later. So I pretty much speed through the paper, tearing it up and setting pages aside, then refill my coffee cup and settle down to read "the rest of the story (stories)". Obviously that technique doesn't work if you're sharing the paper.
EVERYBODY knows it's "eency-weency", but....
I read the paper as you do - the front page first, then the continuations as I get to them. Partially this is because I usually read the front page at the breakfast table, and it's too awkward to keep flipping the paper around. Also, I don't have to read the continuation if I don't feel like it. 8^)
Yes, I see the itsy/eensy debate is still alive and well, given the two responses here. Some day, the truth will out.
As to reading the paper, I don't. Our local paper reached the point where subscribing was a waste of money. We take the Sunday edition, to get coupons, specials and updates. Otherwise, we rely on Google and searching online newspapers. Pity, since reading the daily paper used to be my lunch hour occupation. Since I get my news online, it all comes in one piece, so there's not issue of whether to finish by turning the pages or waiting to find the rest of the article.
I used to rely on the daily newspaper. Perhaps other areas are different, but our local paper has changed format and focus and it simply wasn't worth the price to continue the subscription, especially since I can go online and get the local news, while other online sites give me a much less biased (or at least varied view) of issues.
I like Mary Z. A LOT!!! Welcome to the ones who know the One True Way, Mary.
Bill. Bah!
Oh dear - first of all you all really need to acknowledge that the British original is Incey Wincey - the other versions are (badly) derived from that. Secondly - surely the only way to read a newspaper is to pick out the stories that interest you and follow them through to the end - this may or may not include anything on the front page and Reading everything is not compulsory.
diane
Hi Pat
There really is no spider debate, it is itsy bitsy and we all know that. Those eency weency folks were troubled children taught wrong things.
If I get married I am not sharing my paper we will order two dailys delivered.
Bill
Mary Z
You have so many redeeming qualities I can over look you singing the song the wrong way. Even your sister separated at birth knows its itsy-bitsy.
Congratulations on the sale of the painting!!
Bill
Hi DR
Welcome to another one true way person.
In college our college accounting professor made us read two papers a day. His thinking was that in the accounting profession we would be out and about and needed to be up to date on current events so we could discuss them intelligently with out clients. Since then reading the newspaper is a habit that is unbreakable. I read two offline papers a day and several online ones. I will never stop reading the paper.
Bill
Hi Mary
I know how tired you are this time of year so I know you aren't thinking properly when it comes to spiders, even though you are misguided I still love you.
Bill
Hi diane
It is nice to see you here and because I respect you and your opinion I will tell you thak Wikipedia does mention Incey Wency as an alternative in some parts of the world it does have a little creditibility. Eeency-Weency of course is not mentioned by Wikipedia.
Bill
Oh, dear! I've just discovered that I've been in a mixed marriage for 54 years. I made the mistake of asking John about the spider and he's one of those misguided folks.
We do an eency-weency spider exercise for our fingers in the water exercise class. I'll have to poll our group tomorrow morning.
Hi Mary Z
I knew I liked John
Bill
So far on my Facebook page, it's 2 - 0 for itsy-bitsy.
a-HEM.
All I can say is that all of you people are WRONG. It is the true aristocrats who know that it's eency...and where ARE my compatriots anyway?
As for the newspaper, I read an article top to bottom--as a newspaper writer, I hate to think of people interrupting my flow of thought until they get around to it later on.
See, Bev - I knew there was a connection.
Hi Mary Z
I am impressed with the intelligence of your Facebook group.
Bill
Hi Bev
As much as I respect you and your opinion, it troubles me how misguided you are on spider songs.
Interesting comment re the newspaper. I've never looked at from the writer's viewpoint before. Makes me think about changing my methods.
Bill
Hi Mary Z
I also think Bev's husband is an itsy bitsy person.
Bill
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