In the song, the star is twinkling like a diamond, not shaped like one

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

OK, I realise this may be pedantry taken too far but I get annoyed everytime this is sung at playgroup and everyone makes a rhombus shape with their hands.

There is no such mathematical shape as a diamond. It is a rhombus, or perhaps a kite.

The song means the star is twinkling like a diamond.

This is probably why so many children turn up in my Year 7 maths classes thinking a rhombus is called a diamond.

And yes, I would be too embarrassed to mention this in RL.

Please be nice to me.

You old arse.

OP you are a star diamond rhombus

There might not be a mathematical shape called a diamond, but colloquially there is. So YABU!

Anyway, what's the alternative? Singing like a rhombus in the sky? Can you think of an alternative action for diamond? Or should the children just sit on their hands for that bit?

Few diamonds are rhombus-shaped anyway.
We use the correct terminology in my school, if EY can get their mouths around stegosaurus and triceratops, they can manage rhombus.
Although they do sing 'Twinkle Twinkle' with actions.

You can make a twinkly action like at the beginning. And Obviously you wouldn't sing rhombus because the song isn't referring to the shape of the star.

I wonder how many kids think that busses move by rolling their arms around? Or wind a bobbin up that way... or will try and touch their nose to beep the horn in their driving test 17 years down the line

Then you can move onto jelly diamond cake decorations and all the other inaccuracies involving inappropriate shapes.
How do you feel about pi day?

In fact, most diamonds on rings are circular aren't they? Without this though my year 7s wouldn't have the entertainment of my rhombus/diamond rant

I like the idea if a British pi day. On 31st april

Aren't they faceted though?
Bet there's a mathematical name for a 20-sided shape with a flat base.
My DD would know, but she won't wake up for another 5 hours, being a Creature of the Night as well as a pedant.

Reclaim the day, start a Mumsnet campaign for a British pi day.

When we sign Twinkle Twinkle in Makaton sign language, we were told not to make a 'diamond' shape with our hands as it resembles the Makaton for fanny

You see, if the song MEANT the shape I would then be annoyed but on a completely different level, and I would be a bit mad. But it doesn't, it means the appearance. So indicating the shape annoys me. A little bit.

That is hilarious!

Well I've NEVER mended anyones head with vinegar and brown paper

So where does that leave me??

Or you could go for the alternative of a tea tray.

Why don't we sing "Horse Horse" rather than using baby talk?

or the kids could modernise the actions and do the beyonce shoulda put a ring on it action for that part....

Honestly, I'm not having a go at inaccuracies in nursery rhymes. I'm just saying that in THIS instance, the reference of one word has been misunderstood.

Next time I sing "Pop Goes the Weasel", do I literally need to explode a furry animal?

We sign it like diamond as in diamond ring. Makes more sense that way

You hold left hand flatpalm facing down

make fist with right hand on back of left hand, so hands are back to back

FLASh open right hand like a flashing diamond

No more mathematical mix ups

Grumpypants, I might try that at playgroup. While leading the singing

I think it could be the missing element....

I prefer the idea of a British Pie Day. Can we do that tomorrow?