Er hot zu scheppe gelade,”
or taunt a young Englishman with
“Beefsteak, Wasserweck
Auf dem Kopf e grosse Schneck?”
or scoff at a tale-bearing comrade:
“Angeber, geb mich an
Kriegst ’n hohle Backezahn.”
This same motive is always used for such songs now as it was in the days of our pagan forefathers, who doubtless gave it a wider application.
Grosse points out that the derisive songs of savages have a strong similarity to such childish taunts. He cites one which Grey heard Australians sing in scorn of one of their own number:
“Oh, what a leg he has!