Unique Counting Systems...neat!

Mar 15, 2007 at 11:57 AM
1 comment

Apparenly, there's a longstanding tradition of Shepherds counting using rhymes. The practice is referred to as Yan Tan Tethera, in reference to one of these schemes. A list of these is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan_Tan_Tethera . Supposedly, the practice of counting sheep really refers to chanting these rhymes to yourself. The practice, however, died in the Industrial revolution. That's a shame, and I'm fully in favor of bringing it back. From now on, I will pay in pennies, and count them out. That way, everyone will know what a good shepherd I would make.