Do these seemingly meaningless rhymes and stories really mean al this, or are they relatively innocent little remnants of their darker origins, washed clean and harmless by memories drained away by passing generations?

Should we leave them that way, as mood enhancers of mystical origin, or kill them time and again with stark realities. I honestly don't know. And are these histories to be trusted? ...with my conspiro-theoretical faculty kicking in: they may just as well have been thought up anywhere down the line, with evil intent!

"Ring a ring o'roses, a pocketful of posies...", or some variation of it - what a beautiful socializing little song that was, with kids holding hands dancing in a ring on an uplifting tune , in the end to "all fall down!" in laughter! Lovely memory, till I found out its origin in the bubonic plague...what a disappointment!

I'll even pay the price of believing Father Christmas is real and on his way for having this world a more joyful place. But on the other hand, I have no respect for a dictionary without a clear and understandable etymology for every word...

Not meant as a negative critique dear @redwellies - just me noisy noggin spilling over a little!