Sleep tight & other queries

[James A. Landau]

In a message dated 02/15/2001 2:34:02 PM Eastern Standard Time, nfogli at IOL.IT
writes:

> How do you account for the expression “sleep tight – don't let the
>  bedbugs bite,” from an etymological/contextual point of view? Do you
>  think it is as frequent now as it was ten or twenty years ago?

A music group called "Squirrel Nut Zippers" has out a CD called "Bedlam
Ballroom" which includes a musical rendition of  "sleep tight – don't let the
bedbugs bite”.

My grandmother, who was born in New York City in 1881, used
     Good night
     Sleep tight
     And don't wake up till morning light

Her version is not only child-friendly but also scans, which the version you
quoted does not.


       - Jim Landau