Why is it always assumed that Humpty Dumpty is an egg?

Thinking of Mr. Dumpty as an egg instead of a person makes the story seem a lot less violent… since it’s a children’s story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpty_Dumpty

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1494/why-is-humpty-dumpty-portrayed-as-an-egg-even-though-eggs-arent-mentioned-in-the-nursery-rhyme

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/423129 (this one is particularly interesting)

syz, Great links, especially the last two! Thanks. Guess I wasn’t alone in wondering.

Better that an egg gets damaged, instead of a real human being.

Thanks, AC, and syz. That’s why I love Fluther.

Good Ol’ One-Eyed Jack Thompson, the cannoneer

Humpty Dumpty was a powerful cannon during the English Civil War (1642–49). It was mounted on top of the St. Mary’s at the Wall Church in Colchester defending the city against siege in the summer of 1648. (Although Colchester was a Parliamentarian stronghold, it was captured by the Royalists who held it for 11 weeks.) The church tower was hit by the enemy and the top of the tower was blown off, sending “Humpty” tumbling to the ground. Naturally the King’s men* tried to mend him but in vain.
* The “men” would have been infantry, and “horses” the cavalry troops.
– From the East Anglia Tourist Board in England

Ol’ HD is shown in 17th century political cartoons as an egg. Whether the cartoonists came up with the egg image or just borrowed it, well… I guess it is like the question of which came first, the Dumpty or the egg.

Humpty dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty dumpty had a great fall;
Threescore men and threescore more,
Could not place Humpty as he was before.
^^from syz

Wouldn’t it be fun if that was the children’s rhyme instead of the one we actually use?

Actually, my favorite version goes:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty fell, or was pushed, from the wall.
The perpetrator has not been apprehended.
Three male Hispanics were seen leaving the area.