Episode 307: Tickle Your Fancy

 

This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, "Tickle Your Fancy". Bonus: Robin Hood, Puritans, Lucille Ball on Broadway, and the answer to the age-old question... has this phrase always been a double entendre?

It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod

On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more perks, like early access and name recognition on the show. So join us on Patreon!
patreon.com/bunnytrailspod

Shownotes are always available on our website, bunnytrailspod.com

Copyright 2026 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved

 

Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 307: Tickle Your Fancy
Record Date: February 1, 2026
Air Date: February 11, 2026

Intro

Shauna:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase. 

I’m Shauna Harrison

Dan:
And I’m Dan Pugh

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.

Opening Hook
Have you ever gone clothes shopping at a department store, boutique, or thrift shop? You wander around, browsing racks and displays, seeing if anything fits your taste or style. And after a few passes through the section, you finally spot a few things that really tickle your fancy.

Meaning
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, if something tickles your fancy, it means:

Quote
you like it and want to have or do it
End Quote
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/take-tickle-fancy 

There are other similar phrases that may pop up here, like take a fancy, as in I might take a fancy to a lovely person and ask them to go on a date with me. Or I might take a fancy to a particular color of car and insist my next vehicle will be that color.

Also strike a fancy, where “strike” is using the version:

Quote
To catch the admiration, fancy, or affection of (a person, esp. considered as a potential romantic partner); in passive, to be favourably impressed by
End Quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/strike_v?tab=meaning_and_use#20201851

That definition was brought to us by the Oxford English Dictionary. 

The common word here is “fancy”. And fancy as a word has been around for over half a century. It has two meanings that are often used in early works, both coming to us from the Oxford English Dictionary. 

Quote
Capricious or arbitrary preference; individual taste; an inclination
End Quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/fancy_n?tab=meaning_and_use#4740004 
This one has been around since the mid-1400s. It is the version we commonly see used with phrases like ‘take a fancy’. 

The next one is:

Quote
Something that pleases or entertains
End Quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/fancy_n?tab=meaning_and_use#4740004 

That definition has been attested since the late 1500s and is the one we usually have in “tickle your fancy” and also “strike your fancy”.

1642
This first example I could find is from a 1642 work by a Puritan preacher, Daniel Rogers. The work is titled Matrimoniall Honour: Or, The mutuall Crowne and comfort of godly, loyall, and chaste Marriage. In this passage, he is writing that we must follow the practices of Elisha, saying:

Quote
Wee must pray against the tenacity thereof, and force our selves to handle such thoughts roughly at the doore; and in no sort to give place to them; as knowing their Masters feet is not farre behind them. Tosse not thoughts off and on, about passages, which tickle the fancy, and wind in deeplier into it, then it can bee rid thereof…
End Quote
https://archive.org/details/bim_early-english-books-1641-1700_matrimonial-honour-_rogers-daniel_1642/mode/2up?q=%22tickle+the+fancy%22 

This is a great example of the phrase, and I think it answers one of the common questions, was this phrase created as a double entendre. That is, did the phrase also refer to sex or sexual interest? And I think the answer is a clear, NO, from Daniel Rogers. I almost called him Mr. Rogers, but in my mind that is a different person altogether. Anyway, it is highly unlikely that a Puritan preacher would quote biblical heroes while intentionally using a phrase with a dual meaning like that, so at least HE did not see it as a double entendre. And we’ll see several other examples as we move forward that have no apparent sexual inferences, either. Though at some point the phrase DID become a double entendre. I’m just positing that it did not originate that way.

1718
This example is from Of gardens : a Latin poem in four books by René Rapin. It was originally published in 1706, but the version I found was from 1718, so 1718 is the year I’m going to attest with this particular example:

Quote
I cannot subscribe to that Censure of Seneca (whom I esteem otherwise as an excellent Critick) in which he tells us that Virgil’s Aim was not so much to instruct his Countryman as to please his Reader; that it was to tickle the Fancy, rather than inform the Judgement.
End Quote
https://archive.org/details/ofgardenslatinpo00rapi/page/n33/mode/2up?q=tickle+fancy


1780
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. This one uses “take a fancy”. 

Quote
Come then, neighbor…, let us turn again, and go home without him: There is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render reason.
End Quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pilgrim_s_Progress_from_this_World_t/ywTWGP3tX7gC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22take+a+fancy%22&pg=PA13&printsec=frontcover 

The point is we need to leave, because once these folks set their sights on something that pleases them, they work themselves up as a group and make decisions that we do not want to be around for. 

1784
Here’s another example, this from the 1784 work, Robin Hood; or Sherwood Forest: A Comic Opera. It was written by Leonard MacNally, Esq. These lines feature an interplay between two well-known characters, the titular Robin Hood, and his pal and confidante known to many of us Little John. 

Quote
John. Clear the clouds from your brow, and prepare for laughter; I have a merry tale to tickle your fancy with.
Robin. Postpone your merriment, good John: I am in a melancholy mood, and would indulge it. 
John. I bring something to rouze your spirits - A challenge, and there lies the gauntlet
End Quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Robin_Hood_Or_Sherwood_Forest_a_Comic_Op/s1RWAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22tickle+your+fancy%22&pg=PA26&printsec=frontcover

In this, Robin is sad and John is bringing him news that he thinks will cheer Robin up… a challenge has been made against him. 

1810, 1834
This next one gets a lot of credit for being an early use of the phrase, though I’m not sure it deserves that particular credit. The Light of Nature Pursued by Abraham Tucker, Esq. The original version of this was printed in 1774, though I could not find any copies of that work. I did find many later copies and reprints. But even in 1774, the phrase was used in many literary works. I think the reason it gets brought up so much is because this work has been deemed culturally important and therefore has experienced many reprints, which means it has been available in ways many works were not until the last decade.

So I’m going to use two versions here. The first comes from an 1810 version. It does not include “tickle your fancy”. However, it does include a variant, “strike your fancy”. 

Quote
He that is vain of his piety, his reason, or his public services, hangs a little higher than while he was vain of doing mischief, of follies, or trifles; to be superstitious is something of a rise above hardened insensibility; industry, forecast, economy, generosity, courteousness, is a degree of advance from idleness, giddiness, dissipation, avarice, and ill-nature; the man of pleasure, who chooses discreetly such among them as are innocent, swims a span over him who is hurried to and fro by every present appetite, happening to strike strongly upon his fancy. 
End Quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Light_of_Nature_Pursued/EGorAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=fancy 

So there is one example of a variant phrase in the 1810 work. I think it is suspect that this work didn’t include the phrase, but perhaps an early version did. Even if the 1774 version contained our phrase, which I cannot verify, we have already looked at several earlier works with the phrase, too.  Here is an 1834 version of the book that does include our phrase, covering the same concepts but is a different passage entirely. 

Quote
The evils permitted by Heaven, though designed to work out some greater good, nevertheless are always grievous in some part of their operation: how much soever they may tickle the fancy at first, the wise man will see this is only a bait to tempt the heedless gudgeon, and will strive to avoid them whenever he can.
End Quote
https://archive.org/details/lightnaturepurs05mildgoog/page/n8/mode/2up?q=tickle+fancy 

1858
Here is another example of strike instead of tickle, this from an 1858 publication of Charles Dickens’ The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. These works were a serialized release following the young Mr. Nickleby. They were published from 1838 to 1839. They were compiled into Dickens’ 3rd novel in 1839. But I’ll be reading from the earliest version I could find, and therefore verify, the 1858 version.

Quote
Kate’s very natural impression was, that these engaging individuals had called with the view of possessing themselves unlawfully of any portable articles that chanced to strike their fancy. 
End Quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Life_and_Adventures_of_Nicholas_Nick/aGEJAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=fancy 


Up next we have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.

A Quick Thank You
Shauna:
This episode is brought to you by our amazing Patrons on Patreon. 
And it is 100% free to join the Bunny Trails community! 
So give our weekly discussions and poll questions a try. 
And if you love the content and want more of it, 
we have some paid tiers, too, if you have a few dollars to spare each month and want to support the show. 

Dan:
We have new things every weekday on the feeds. In addition to the conversation about what movies, shows, books, and podcasts everyone is enjoying and our weekly poll questions, we also have early access to the week's podcast, all the links, books, songs, and other content mentioned in the week's episode, and our lightly-edited behind the scenes video featuring all the cut content, goofs, and bonus facts that didn’t make it into the podcast feed.

Shauna:
We’ve also got Original Digital Artwork every month, made by ME,
and direct access to talk with us. 
No nefarious social media algorithms getting in the way of what we see or don’t see. 
Plus, you can get awesome name recognition like Pat Rowe and JGP do every episode. 
And our top spot is currently occupied by the amazing Mary Halsig Lopez.

You can join the Bunny Trails community for free at bunny trails pod on Patreon. 

That’s patreon.com/bunnytrailspod 


Modern Uses

There are way too many examples of this phrase to include in the show. So I’m going to try and make them representative of the phrase’s usage. And you can let us know on our Patreon which ones you would have liked to hear included. 

1960
We’re going to start with What Takes My Fancy, a song from the 1960 broadway musical, Wildcat. It was composed by Cy Coleman with lyrics from Carolyn Leigh. Lucille Ball plays the title character, in what I think was her only Broadway role. Don Tomkins playing Sookie, her love interest. The verse is a call and response between Wildcat and Sookie, with Wildcat singing the refrain. 

Quote
Well, I'll be swacked and pickled in moonshine,
You ain't such an ornery cuss.

Well, I'll be piped and peddled for coal-oil,
You ain't such a gloomy old Gus.

Well, I don't wanna give you no idys,
But you might not make a bad wife.
Cookin' grub and pinnin' up didys --

Hold on, Grandpa, not on your life!
Them what treats me girly
Has to find out early,
In my mama's litter
I'm the independent critter.

I likes to do what takes my fancy,
What takes my fancy
I likes to do.
And when it comes to things romancy,
What takes my fancy
Ain't the likes of you.
End Quote
https://zvbxrpl.blogspot.com/2005/09/lyrics-of-week-what-takes-my-fancy.html 

I really enjoyed the wordplay in this song. The phrase here, what takes my fancy, is leaning into what appeals to the character. The song is romantic in nature, but not sexual. 

I couldn’t find any of the original Broadway recordings of Lucille Ball’s version, I’ll link to an old video of a performance by Toni Lamond and Barry Crocker from Barry’s youtube page so you can hear the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9YeyS3iqBY 

And I’m also going to link to a version by Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby from an old radio performance on CBS. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fveheOYVxkk 

1973
Come On and Tickle My Fancy, a song performed by Reg Varney in the 1973 movie The Best Pair of Legs in the Business. Here is the first verse and chorus:

Quote
I’ve got the finest legs
That’s known in Vaud uh ville
My tights behind the footlights
Give the crowd a thrill
Whenever I’m appearing
The house is always packed
Waiting for the moment when
I start to do my act

I’ve got to tickle your fancy
With a little song and dancy
I’ve got to tickle your fancy
all the time, all the time
End Quote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95lJLnGhSH8 

This song is clearly a double entendre. He is singing about making the audience laugh and enjoy the show, but also hinting at other pleasures through use of symbolism and imagery like his legs, tights, and giving the crowd a thrill.

1982
Let Me Tickle Your Fancy is a 1982 album by Jermaine Jackson. It features a song of the same name featuring Devo. It’s kind of funky pop. Here are some of the lyrics:

Quote
Like the sun, I rise and shine
With last night on my mind
It's so hard to concentrate
Til our love we recreate

Let me tickle your fancy
Let me excite your soul
Let me tickle your fancy
Let me excite your soul
End Quote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wuRp31eLIE

I would argue this is not a double entendre. This is just… single entendre? I don’t think that’s what that means. Like, this is only about sexual interest. 

2001
There is a 2001 book that focuses on the sexual innuendo of this phrase that goes a bit too hard for the show. So if you are interested in hearing about it, join us for the bonus section in our behind the scenes episode. Those air every Friday on Patreon. That’s Patreon.com/bunnytrailspod

2023
I found our phrase hanging out on social media. This comes from the subreddit DVDCollection and was posted by user Whereiscatlin. It is an image of their large book shelf covered in DVDs and carries the title “Anything here tickle your fancy?”
https://www.reddit.com/r/dvdcollection/comments/10ep5tg/anything_here_tickle_your_fancy/ 

2025
Tickle Your Fancy is a giclee (zhee klee) on paper by Daniel Merriam. I’m going to ask Shauna to describe this artwork. But first, I took art appreciation in college, but I had no idea what giclee was when researching this episode. I know most of you probably do, but for the few of you like me, a giclée is a high-quality fine art print created using a specialized inkjet printer, known for its archival quality and color accuracy. I don’t have the date on this piece, but the current seller bought the painting in 2025. Okay Shauna, describe this one for us. 
https://www.artbrokerage.com/Daniel-Merriam/Tickle-Your-Fancy-Framed-Giclee 

Here is a little about the artist.

Quote
Daniel Merriam's paintings are dreams in full color. They beckon for the viewer to join a journey into the imagination, where the worlds of reality and fantasy collide in an explosion of color, shapes and symbolism. His unique style is the product of solid technical skills, an illustrator's precision and a story teller's sense of pace. Anyone with a sense of adventure and humor who enjoys exploring a work of art will find Daniel Merriam's art an excursion worth taking. In his quest for understanding, Merriam paints to show who he is and how he feels about the world. His subjects differ as much as his emotions: fear, pain, joy, fun, all rendered in striking watercolor. For Daniel Merriam, painting is a calling, the realization of decisions to bring his life and his art into one complete place. With his personal philosophy built on creativity, art has become his greatest ally.
End Quote
https://www.artbrokerage.com/Daniel-Merriam/Tickle-Your-Fancy-Framed-Giclee 

Wrap Up
Overall I like this phrase, because it uses a form of “fancy” that harkens to an older era. But I don’t use the phrase much, because I am rarely in a situation where connotation of sexual innuendo would be appropriate. And even if I don’t mean it that way, there is a decent chance it would be taken that way. And sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. 

Dan:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, 
reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod or comment on our website bunnytrailspod.com

Shauna:
It’s poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons, how old is the oldest pair of shoes you currently own?

JGP says:
Quote
Showing my age here, but I still have a pair of snow boots I bought in 1990. Although, to be fair, I only wear them now when I need to shovel after a serious snow storm when there's been tons of snow so once or twice a year, maximum. 
End Quote

Heather added:
Quote
The shoes I wear now last about a year of use, and in fact I just replaced them. But I'm holding on to some Chucks and Doc Martens that are older, hoping to be able to wear them again one day. The Docs are oxblood red, and my Chucks collection include purple, black glitter, and a pair I customized with Peanuts characters. If I can't ever wear them again, at least I can pass them down to my niblings when their feet are big enough :)
End Quote


Dan:
glitterfluff said:
Quote
It's just a really cute pair of heels I bought when I was young and am now old. I think they're about 22-23 years old, so just barely. But I keep them because they're the most ridiculous of the shoes I wore back then.
End Quote


Dustin added:
Quote
I have some boots that are maybe 5 years old. I tend to bust through all of my shoes because I'm rough on all my clothing. I just bought some new shoes too
End Quote

Like Dustin, I am traditionally hard on shoes! My day-to-day shoes last about a year. My dress shoes are leather and I take good care of them. They are my oldest at ~7 years old. I have a pair of hiking boots and a pair of work boots. Both are about 6 years old, but I wear them infrequently. My jesus sandals I bought to go with a monk costume back in 2010 are still around, but since I've worn them 4 times in 15 years I’m not sure they count. My Ecco’s are 7 years old and in good condition still, so I think I’ll settle on that as my answer. 

Shauna:
Jan says:
Quote
I have a pair of dress shoes that are maybe 15 years old. They’ve got some wear and aren’t nice enough to repair, but I’ll keep wearing them until they fall apart. I also have a pair of cowboy boots that are about 10 years old and in good shape because I don’t have a lot of opportunities to wear them. 
End Quote

I have a pair of tall black riding boots that are almost 2 decades old. I will not share my age when I acquired them… They still look great and are quite comfortable. 

If you want to take part in our silly polls, head over to the Patreon. We’d love to hear your take on our weekly poll questions! And it’s free at patreon.com/bunnytrailspod 

Outro 

Shauna:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember, 

Together:
Words belong to their users.