finders keepers

[sg]

losers weepers
Did Richard Stilgoe create this phrase?

[novalis]

Dobt it. We always used to say it when I was nowt but a nipper -- 50 odd years ago.

[novalis]

Just looked in Cassell's Dictionary of Proverbs. It appeared in J.T. Brockett's "Glossary of North Country Words" in 1825 and variants are found in the writings of Pautus, a Roman author.
P.S. Sorry about the misspelling of doUbt in my first post.

[kempie]

Even Cliff Richard (and the Shads) used the phrase in a lyric 15 years ahead of Mr Stilgoe ;�)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5rArRKqKK1Y

[sg]

Thanks, that's a good start.
There must be at least one apostrophe that should be used here, but I can't work out where.

[novalis]

Sorry - omitting too much this evening. Try PLautus.

[jno]

no apostrophe, just plurals, finders are keepers and losers are weepers.

[taichiperson]

Hadn't seen Richard Stilgoe for years - saw him on the One Show last night..