Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear

Fuzzy Wuzzy is one of the most popular tongue twisters. The origins of this nursery rhyme aren’t clear but the term “fuzzy wuzzy” was used to describe the Hadendoa warriors in Sudan in a 1892 poem by Rudyard Kipling.

The nursery rhyme was first mentioned in a 1942 edition of “The Yorker” magazine with no reference to its origins.

The link between the Hadendoa warriors and the nursery rhyme is fuzzy, there is no definitive link between the two but it is possible the rhyme refers to the bravery of the Hadendoa (hence they are a bear).

“Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear” Lyrics

Original Version

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear,
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair,
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t really fuzzy,
Was he?

Extended modern lyrics

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy
No, by gosh, he wasn’t, was he?

Silly Willy was a worm
Silly Willy wouldn’t squirm
Silly Willy wasn’t silly
No, by gosh, he wasn’t really

Iddy Biddy was a mouse
Iddy Biddy had no spouse
Iddy Biddy wasn’t pretty
Oh, by gosh, it was a pity

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy
No, by god, he wasn’t, was he?