Have you ever been caught in that hilarious playground exchange? You know the one I’m talking about – where someone asks “Guess what?” and before you know it, you’ve fallen into the trap of responding “What?” only to hear “CHICKEN BUTT!” shouted back with uncontrollable giggles
As silly as it sounds, this playground classic has stood the test of time. And if you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who appreciates a good laugh, understanding what rhymes with “chicken butt” can help you expand this beloved childhood game.
The Classic “Guess What? Chicken Butt!” Game
Before diving into rhymes, let’s revisit the original playground game. This beloved dialogue is actually part of a longer exchange that kids absolutely adore. According to All Nursery Rhymes, the full lyrics go:
Person 1: Guess what?
Person 2: What?
Person 1: Chicken butt!
Person 1 Guess why?Person 2 Why?Person 1 Chicken thigh!
Person 1 Guess where?Person 2 Where?Person 1 Chicken hair!
Person 1: Guess when?
Person 2: When?
Person 1: Chicken hen!
Person 1: Guess who?
Person 2: Who?
Person 1: Chicken poo!
Kids love this game for several reasons. The surprise element, the slightly naughty words like “butt” and “poo,” and the simple call-and-response pattern make it irresistible to young children. It’s a perfect example of playground humor that has endured for generations.
So What Actually Rhymes with “Chicken Butt”?
Finding perfect rhymes for compound phrases like “chicken butt” can be tricky. Let’s break it down:
Rhymes for “Butt”
According to RhymeZone, there are over 280 words that rhyme with “butt” alone! Here are some of the most usable ones:
- Cut
- Gut
- Hut
- Jut
- Mutt
- Nut
- Putt
- Rut
- Shut
- Smut
- Strut
- What
There are also many two-syllable words that rhyme with “butt”:
- Abut
- Haircut
- Peanut
- Rebut
- Robot
- Shortcut
- Walnut
- Wingnut
The Challenge with “Chicken Butt”
When we look at WikiRhymer’s analysis of “chicken butt” as a complete phrase, we find that there are actually no pure rhymes for the full phrase. This makes sense – finding words that rhyme perfectly with both “chicken” and “butt” is challenging.
However, WikiRhymer does offer some alternatives:
-
End Rhymes (rhymes on the last syllable only):
- Fortunate/unfortunate
- Hatchet/ratchet
- Musket/Truscott
-
Near Rhymes (almost rhymes):
- Digit/midget/Bridget
- Articulate/particulate
- Biscuit/brisket
-
Mosaic Rhymes (made up of more than one word):
- Chicken + but
- Chicken + cut
- Stricken + but
Creating Your Own “Chicken Butt” Extensions
Using our understanding of rhymes, we can now create our own extensions to the classic game! Here are some ideas I’ve come up with that follow the pattern:
Person 1: Guess what?
Person 2: What?
Person 1: Chicken butt!
Person 1: Guess how?
Person 2: How?
Person 1: Chicken cow!
Person 1: Guess which?
Person 2: Which?
Person 1: Chicken switch!
Person 1: Guess whose?
Person 2: Whose?
Person 1: Chicken shoes!
Person 1: Guess what for?
Person 2: What for?
Person 1: Chicken door!
Why Kids Love “Chicken Butt” Rhymes
There’s actually some developmental psychology behind why kids love these silly rhymes:
-
Humor Development – Children begin to understand incongruity (things that don’t match expectations) around ages 3-5, making “chicken butt” hilarious.
-
Language Play – Rhyming helps kids develop phonological awareness, a crucial skill for reading.
-
Social Bonding – Sharing these jokes creates a sense of belonging and shared experience.
-
Mild Rebellion – Using “forbidden” words like “butt” feels slightly naughty in a safe way.
Using “Chicken Butt” Rhymes Constructively
As a parent or teacher, you might be wondering if these silly rhymes have any educational value. They absolutely do! Here’s how to use them:
- Rhyming Games – Challenge kids to come up with their own rhymes for “chicken” or “butt”
- Pattern Recognition – Point out the question-answer pattern in the game
- Creative Writing – Have older kids create their own silly rhyming dialogues
- Social Skills – Use the game to teach appropriate vs. inappropriate contexts for playground humor
A Parent’s Guide to “Chicken Butt” Etiquette
While the “chicken butt” game is generally harmless fun, here are some guidelines to ensure it stays that way:
-
Set boundaries – Explain when and where these jokes are appropriate (playground yes, grandma’s formal dinner no)
-
Teach respect – Make sure kids understand not to target or tease others with the jokes
-
Expand vocabulary – Use the interest in rhyming to introduce new words
-
Join in the fun – Don’t be afraid to play along! Kids love when adults enter their world of humor
Beyond “Chicken Butt”: Other Playground Rhymes
If your kids enjoy “Chicken Butt,” they might also like these classic playground rhymes and games:
- Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit – Another slightly naughty rhyme about beans and their gaseous effects
- Miss Mary Mack – A clapping rhyme with repetitive sounds
- Down by the Banks – A hand-passing game with a rhythmic chant
- Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum – A counting-out rhyme to select players
The Cultural Impact of “Chicken Butt”
Believe it or not, this simple playground rhyme has made its way into pop culture references in TV shows, movies, and even some song lyrics. It’s one of those childhood experiences that transcends generations and creates immediate recognition and nostalgia.
I remember when my own son came home from kindergarten, asking me “Guess what?” with that mischievous gleam in his eye. I knew exactly what was coming, and it brought back my own childhood memories from decades earlier!
Final Thoughts: Why “Chicken Butt” Endures
In our digital age where kids have access to sophisticated games and entertainment, it’s remarkable that something as simple as “Guess what? Chicken butt!” continues to delight generation after generation.
There’s something beautiful about the simplicity of playground rhymes – they require no equipment, no setup, and can be passed from child to child without adult intervention. They’re a form of children’s folklore that has survived despite all our technological advances.
So the next time a child asks you “Guess what?” – go ahead and play along. Say “What?” with exaggerated curiosity, and enjoy their delight when they deliver the punchline. These small moments of shared joy and silliness are part of what makes childhood special.
And now that you know what rhymes with “chicken butt” (or at least, what rhymes with “butt”!), you’re equipped to extend the game and maybe even create your own variations. Happy rhyming!
FAQ About “Chicken Butt” Rhymes
Q: Is the “chicken butt” game appropriate for school?
A: Most elementary schools consider it harmless playground fun, though teachers might redirect if it becomes disruptive.
Q: How old is the “Guess what? Chicken butt!” rhyme?
A: While its exact origins are unclear, this playground rhyme has been documented since at least the 1970s, though it’s likely much older.
Q: My child keeps saying “chicken butt” – should I be concerned?
A: Not at all! This is normal developmental humor. Just help them understand appropriate contexts.
Q: Are there any books about the “chicken butt” rhyme?
A: Yes! There are several children’s books that play on this rhyme, including “Chicken Butt!” by Erica S. Perl.
Q: How can I make the rhyme more educational?
A: Turn it into a rhyming game where kids have to come up with new animal + body part combinations that rhyme!
Erica S. Perl, , illus. by Henry Cole. . Abrams, $195 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-8109-8325-0
Dad is engrossed in the paper, which of course makes him a ripe target for a silliness offensive by his son. “You know what?” says the boy, with a gleam in his eyes worthy of Bart Simpson. “What?” says unsuspecting parent, as a wide-eyed chicken peers around the corner, conspicuously out of place in their living room. “CHICKEN BUTT!” shouts the son, the words plastered on the airborne fowls expansive backside. An increasingly hysteric call and response ensues, in which Chicken gives a hyper performance, Dad moves from bemused to exasperated and Perl (Ninety-Three in My Family ) manages to rhyme “You know how?” with “chicken eyebrow” and “You know who?” with “chicken tattoo.” Cole (the Katy Duck series), as wryly effervescent as ever, doesnt try to make this story anything more than it is: one of those treasured (by kids at least) moments of parent-child interaction that has no redeeming social value. When he covers a spread with “CHICKEN BUTT!” scrawled a dozen times on top of 18 emotive chickens, its clear that mania is the message. Ages 3–6. (Apr.)
Reviewed on: 03/30/2009
Genre: Childrens
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