She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore.

The shells she sells are sea-shells, I'm sure.

For if she sells sea-shells on the sea-shore

Then I'm sure she sells sea-shore shells.

 

Did you know that the tongue twister ‘She Sells Sea Shells’ was a song written in 1908 by Terry Sullivan with music by Harry Gifford. It is thought that the words were inspired by Mary Anning, a Victorian fossil hunter born in 1799.

Mary was a fossil collector, dealer and palaeontologist born in Lyme Regis, Dorset who became known around the world for her important discoveries, these included the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton; the first two more complete plesiosaur skeletons found; the first pterosaur skeleton located outside Germany and important fish fossils.

Extra Fun Fact

In those days women were not eligible to join the Geological Society of London and sadly Mary did not always receive full credit for her scientific contributions. It was only recently in 2010, 163 years after her death, that the Royal Society included Anning in a list of the 10 British women who have most influenced the history of science.

The next time you're on a beach collecting shells and the rhyme "She sells sea shells" pops into your head you can think of the amazing woman behind the lyrics!