feefifofum

Feefifofum is the traditional chant associated with the giant in the English fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. In most retellings, the giant proclaims: “Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman,” signaling his detection of a human intruder. The exact wording varies by edition, but the rhyming, repetitive cadence has remained a hallmark of the character. The phrase is widely recognized as part of Western folklore imagery of giants, and it pre-dates modern popular culture, though precise origins are difficult to trace.

Linguistic notes: It uses a rhythmical sequence of invented syllables, common in oral storytelling to convey a fearsome, otherworldly voice. Spelling variations include Fee-fi-fo-fum or Fe-fi-fo-fum; sometimes spelled as feefifofum in written forms and translations. The line often concludes with a threat that the giant has smelled the blood of a man, a theme reflecting the peril in traditional folktales.

Cultural impact: The line has permeated literature, film, theater, and advertising as a reference to a formidable, though sometimes comically portrayed, giant. It appears in parodies and adaptations, and the phrase remains a common shorthand for ominous discovery or threat. The giant figure and the chant have inspired titles, characters, and motifs in children's literature, music, and video games, illustrating the enduring place of the trope in popular culture.