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Novalee Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Eeny meeny miney mo

I've read and listened to several different versions of this nursery rhyme and I'm not sure how it really goes anymore. Is this the real one?
Eeny meeny miney mo
Catch a piggy by the toe
if it hollers let it go
Eeny meeny miney mo


I think it's used when you are not sure what to choose, so you just sort it out pointing at the different options and saying this rhyme aloud. Am I right? Are there any other alternative lines for this rhyme?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Hi novalee, This is a very controversial rhyme. Here are two excerpts from googled sites. Excerpt 1: "Here are some examples of schoolyard rhymes, starting with a brief look at counting-out rhymes.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hi novalee, This is a very controversial rhyme.
  • Here are two excerpts from googled sites.
  • Excerpt 1: "Here are some examples of schoolyard rhymes, starting with a brief look at counting-out rhymes.
  • The archetypal such item in America goes: Eeny, meeny, miney, mo.
  • Catch a tiger by the toe.
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2 Answers
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Hi novalee,

This is a very controversial rhyme. Here are two excerpts from googled sites.

Excerpt 1:

"Here are some examples of schoolyard rhymes, starting with a brief look at counting-out rhymes. The archetypal such item in America goes:

Eeny, meeny, miney, mo.
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers, let him go.
Eeny, meeny, miney, mo."
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Thanks Mr Micawber. I also googled the rhyme and I came across the racially offensive one, the one you mention in excerpt 2. I was interested in the original nursery rhyme lyrics and I found about the "piggy" one. I didn't know about the "tiger" which I think can be the original one. I suppose you can replace the animal and it doesn't make a difference.

I appreciate your help, thanks a
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