Readers reply: why is a child saying ‘Na-na, na-na-na!’ so annoying?

Why is a child going “Na-na, na-na-na!” annoying the world over? I read recently that kids do a version of this in every culture and country. Fred Corbett, London

Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.

Readers reply

Maybe it’s just that an annoying child is involved? Dorkalicious

It means: “See, I was right,” or “Gotcha,” or “Told you so!” It’s not annoying. It shows a child feels empowered, and there’s nothing wrong with that. LorLala

I remember, some years ago, seeing film of Chinese children of nursery age in a playground chanting the familiar na-na, na-na naa-naaa. Same tune and inflexion as their British and European counterparts. I have often wondered about this. Are there other universal language traits among very young children that transcend international boundaries? Arunrising

Spain, no idea. In Germany (at least in Bavaria), and most definitely in Austria, it is chanted followed by an “ätsch-bätsch” (“Fooled you!”). bricklayersoption

I was once on holiday in Cyprus and I heard a child saying “na na na na naaa”, a chorus that was picked up by almost every child on the beach within moments. It became rather moving, the thought of the phrase (?) transcending language barriers, etc. guineapigs

Almost anywhere else, perhaps. But there in particular, almost certainly everyone else on the beach was also British: 10% of Cyprus coastline is British Overseas Territory. HaveYouFedTheFish

I think it’s annoying mainly because it’s done to annoy … Philthewells

Is it really annoying? It’s cheeky, it’s provocative, it’s done to annoy. I’ve spent a few minutes to think back over the years – mostly it hasn’t annoyed me, and most times I’ve probably done it back, especially as an adult. So we’ve both gone “na-na na-na-na” at each other with all the trimmings, thumbs in ears with elk horns, tongue out – what now? Are we quits? Usually ends in mutual laughter. bricklayersoption

I’ll tell you what’s even more annoying than “na na, na na na”. My own child saying “na na na, poo poo”. Usually used when she’s got something that her younger sibling can’t have, which then sends the younger one into a fit of rage, which in turn leads to me lecturing how gloating is a very unsavoury trait. This usually happens once a week. Dip Pankhania, via email

I work in a primary school as class support with five to seven-year-olds. The reason it is annoying is that it’s almost never said in jest. It’s always as a put-down to another child. So I’m not a fan. However, if my kid said it to me, I’d take it in the tone given, as a 1-0 to my child! MissMeerkat

Just sing the second half of Hey Jude back at them, that’ll learn ’em. jno50

Or anything by the Prodigy. Dorkalicious

I don’t know – having worked with kids, I find the cheeky ones often the most memorable and sometimes most oddly uplifting characters. It doesn’t annoy me so much as the stroppy, sulky ones who get the hump for seven hours over nothing. Give me a “na na na na na” any day! MiffledKitty

Because it’s intended to taunt and annoy. It’s done to the tune of I’m the King of the Castle, the triumphant, mocking ditty that British kids have sung for centuries when pushing each other off slightly more elevated places. I’ve raised a kid in Spain and Germany and can’t say I’ve ever heard it there, though. alexito

Because it’s a triumphant, crowing, sneering putdown. Bad losers are unpleasant but bad winners are often worse. MossyL

It depends entirely whether they’re singing (multiple tunes go with the chant) or trying to show they’re not interested in someone’s opinion. Goldgreen

Well, we used to do it to Dad when I was about four and my sister about two. He’d look up, growl, and then chase us on all fours pretending to be a bear. We’d run off screaming like banshees till he caught us, tickled us both till we escaped and ran away, and then we did it all over again. Once we did it and we didn’t know he had made a water pistol out of a washed-out Fairy Liquid bottle. He got us both square in the chops. Always went back for more. So, it’s taunting in this case. Usually done with a grin and a giggle. teaandchocolate

I didn’t find it particularly annoying. When one of mine did it at me, I just wondered why and did it back. And now you can play the Fat Les song Vindaloo and produce hilarity for all. mathurin