Is it “Quack Dilly Iso” or “Dilly Dally Duck”?

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: College Student
Language: English

Text:

Quack diddly oso

Quack diddly oso

Quack Quack Quack

Singin’ Samorico,

Rico Rico Rico

Flora Flora,

Flora Flora Flora,

1, 2, 3, 4

Dilly Dally Duck

The dilly dally duck goes

Quack Quack Quack, 

from Sanarena, 

rena rena rena

four-up four-up, 

one two three four quack!

Screenshot 2025-02-27 at 1.39.25 PM

Analysis:
This is a children’s game that is played into high school years. It is used sometimes to determine who has to do something no one wants to do or just to pass the time. The game includes everyone sitting in a circle, singing a song, and hitting each other’s hands. When the song ends, the person who is about to be hit tries to move their hand out of the way. If they are fast enough, the person hitting is out, and the circle gets smaller; if they are too slow and get hit, then they are out. So when determining who has to do the unwanted task, the person who is out goes. If you need a winner, you keep playing and making it smaller till you have a winner. 

The game is good because it is easy and accessible to play. It helps diffuse conflict by creating a simple way to determine the outcome of an argument. Besides that, it creates a sense of unity since many people in the northern parts of America and Canada have played different versions of the game. In Washington, Quack Dilly Oso is played, while in Northern New Jersey, Dilly Dally Duck is played. The same game with the same tune but different lyrics. The difference shows one’s roots and connect them to where they are from, but the similarities allow people to find simple connections and familiarities in new places with new people.