<P> "Sticks and Stones" is an English language children's rhyme . The rhyme persuades the child victim of name - calling to ignore the taunt, to refrain from physical retaliation, and to remain calm and good - natured . </P> <P> Alexander William Kinglake in his EOTHEN (written 1830, published in London, J. Ollivier, 1844) used "golden sticks and stones". </P> <P> It is reported to have appeared in The Christian Recorder of March 1862, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where it is presented as an "old adage" in this form: </P> <P> Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me . </P>

Where did the saying sticks and stones come from