[Chorus: Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber] You can't make up your mind, mind, mind, mind, mind Please don't waste my time, time, time, time, time . It's all over. I promised to do some research and get back to them. It goes something like this: Eenie, meenie, miney, moe, The sisters claimed that the flight attendant's use of the rhyme was racist. The sisters lost and when they appealed, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling. It was written by Stephen Foster (Camptown Races, Swanee River,) in the 19th century, and was originally sung in a slave dialect. In comparison, "Oh! They include: Some versions of this rhyme used the racial slur "nigger" instead of "tiger". They heard versions in Zimbabwe. Please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today. However, the original words used in the song have far less benign implications. And it sounded a little like this. Ha!" If he hollers, let him go. In the 1950s, a Dutch language historian proposed that the first line Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moecomes from anne manne miene mukke, the first line of an ancient heathen priest song in which the chanter supplicates the high priestess for a divine sign about who should live or die. It first began to be written down in the 19th century - the scholarly journal Notes and Queries published this in the February 1855 edition: "The following are used in the United States for the selection of a taggerEeny, meeny, moany, mite,Butter, lather, boney, strike,Hair, bit, frost, neck,Harrico, barrico, we, wo, wack". Put the baby on the po. Will you support Voxs explanatory journalism? Its not a coincidencetheres actually a pretty interesting explanation! I've opted for 'Eeny, meeny, miny, mo' but there are many others - 'Eenie, meenie, miney, moe', 'Eany, meany, miney, mo' and so on. The more you know. Eenie, meenie, minie mo." An alternate version: "Catch a negro by his toe/ If he hollers make him pay/Twenty dollars every day." The first line of a popular children's counting rhyme. Give the gift of knowledge with our official 'did you know' book. Copyright 2015 NPR. Wash your hands afterwards. Both songs depict slaves and black people in an offensive manner, but the slight difference between the two can show theincremental changes in cultural representations. Then shop him to the FBI. Gotta jump down, turn around, Oh, Lordie, pick a bale a day." Catch a mouse by the toe; The song can be seen as glorifying and poking fun at slave conditions. Doo-dah!/ I go back home wid a pocket full of tin -- Oh! 98 Likes, 9 Comments - Hannah Arbogast (@hannaharbogast) on Instagram: "eenie meenie miney mo" Support our mission, and make a gift today. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Well, as is so often the case in etymology, yes and no. Whenever I hear the music now, the antique voice laughing about niggers and watermelon fills my head," Johnson wrote. Eeny meeny miny mo. Each country had their own lyrics, but the structure and melody remained the same. It is very hard to establish the exact origin of the song as it has so many accepted forms, in different languages and countries. The classic American version most are familiar with goes like this: "Eeny, meeny, miny, mo, catch a tiger by the toe, If he hollers, let him go, eeny, meeny, miny, mo." British? Catch . If they squeal make them squeal some more. Every kid waits in suspense, hoping the last moe doesnt land on them. MARTIN: So what's the take away - that kind of children everywhere - there's some universal quality to the sound of these words and repeating them in a pattern? According to Vox, the 19th century American version of the nursery rhyme was rooted in the slave trade. It has been utilized before in songs including "Eeny Meeny Miney Mo," a popular song written in 1935 by Johnny Mercer and Matty Malneck and the similarly titled "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe," which was an European hit for Dutch girl group Luv . It's also, you know, it's so much fun because they sound great together. My mother told me Hundreds signed a petition demanding to put the item back on sale, claiming Primarks decision was an act of panic.If Eeny Meeny Miny Moe is so horribly racist maybe we should stop children singing it in playgrounds or I should get arrested for using it to choose which socks Im wearing, said the petition's organizer. Accuracy and availability may vary. Added to that, as far back as the 19th century there have been variants of the rhyme which are so dissimilar to our current version as to be scarcely recognisable - 'Hana, mana, mona, mike' (from New York) and 'Eetern, feetern, peeny, pump' (from Scotland) and many of these now have local variants and words added from other languages. The meaning: The song is about a slave and the death of his master. Despite language differences, the first lines of each version are remarkably alike. For instance, the songs may have provided information about the cruelty of slavery to Northerners in the 1800s. Check it out: England: Eeny, meeny, mony, my, Barcelona, stony, sty, Eggs, butter, cheese, bread, Stick, stack, stone dead! Doo-dah!/ I come down dah wid my hat caved in Doo-dah! But that decision raises even more questions: what kind of music are we censoring? Whenever I hear the music now, the antique voice laughing about niggers and watermelon fills my head," Johnson wrote. Eenie, meenie, miney, moe " In historical references of this song, the word "tiger" is replaced by the N-word. For centuries, this has been a popular method to make a hard choice for both children and adults all over the world. Alternate Versions and Related Songs Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe Song Variations Tweet Notes *Potty ***** Other Versions: Eeeny, meeny, miney, mo. The age of the phrase is uncertain. In my search, I stumbled upon the book The Counting-Out Rhymes of Children: A Study of Folk-Lore by Henry Carrington Bolton. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe is part of a large collection of Counting-out rhymes, used in playground games, since the early 19th century. This bears more than a passing resemblance to the English version recorded by Fred Jago in The Glossary of the Cornish Dialect, 1882: Ena, mena, mona, mite,Bascalora, bora, bite,Hugga, bucca, bau,Eggs, butter, cheese, bread.Stick, stock, stone dead - OUT.". And tell his mother what he's done. If he squeals let him go, Wash your hands afterwards. [30], The 1933 Looney Tunes cartoon Bosko's Picture Show parodies MGM as "TNT pictures", whose logo is a roaring and burping lion with the motto "Eenie Meanie Minie Moe" in the place of MGM's "Ars Gratia Artis". You seem like the type to love 'em and leave 'em And disappear right after this song So give me the night to show you, hold you Don't leave me . RAPHEL: I think the take away is these words sound really good together. Joe Biden is pretty good at being president. The words: " Eenie, meenie, minie mo. ", When it comes to these songs, Shaftel explains that children should be taught the modified versions because they can't grasp the nuances of race just yet and don't have multiple levels of understanding. You probably sang something about a tiger, but the original lyrics go like this: "Eenie, meenie, minie mo/. And it's really fun to repeat them in a pattern. She's indecisive, she can't decide She keeps on looking from left to right Girl, come a bit closer, look in my eyes Searching is so wrong, I'm Mr. The meaning: . Support me by joining Medium via this link: https://eladsi.medium.com/membership. "Never Stop The Music!"Thank you for watching!Hope you enjoyed it! It is one of a large group of similar 'counting-out rhymes' where the child who is pointed to by the chanter on the last syllable is 'counted out'. You Cant Use These English Words In The UK, Understanding Black History: 10 Terms That Illuminate The Black Experience In The US, The Names Of Black Panther And Wakanda: Their Meaning And Significance. In some German versions Eena, tena, mona, mi. Some versions use a racial epithet, which has made the rhyme controversial at times. J.S. This, though the early 2000s, even, says Dr. Nel. Stop singing them? Eeny meeny miny mo. It was meant to propagate the sense of superiority white children felt even after they lost the Civil War. Another is that it associates Asians with either poor hygiene or subservience. Nicki Minaj) Justin Bieber 4,179,003 While vaguely remembering a controversy surrounding the song, its sinister past left me at a loss of words when facing my children who were waiting for answers. Catch an nigger by the toe. The real lyrics, according to The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, are as follows: Eenie, meenie, miney moe I love writing about what I love. If then the slave would scream, the trader would decline to purchase him. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Reader support helps us keep our explainers free for all. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe also known as Eena, meena, mina, mo is a popular counting rhyme and singing game. The original lyrics: "De Camptown ladies sing dis song Doo-dah! And then the words that recognized take on a life of their own. For the most part, schools in the U.S. have gone with the latter. Its well known that theres some challenging language in the Gospel of John,". The book was published in 1888 and thoroughly describes the authors research into various childrens counting-out rhymes that were popular at the time. Eeeny, meeny, miney, mo! Likewise, some believe the nursery rhyme is based on an ancient British counting system. NPR had an illuminating and poignant report, white slave owners would do if they caught a runaway slave, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the initial ruling. He should run again. There never was an accepted definitive version, so the children who used the rhyme were very happy to substitute their own words as the mood took them. All The Pasta Shape Names Explained: How Many Do You Know? I mean, there've been several iterations of this since, over these many, many hundreds of years. You might think that childrens nursery rhymes are about as innocent as it gets, but as with pretty much anything created after the rise of the concept of racism in the 1400s, thats not the case. Get the fascinating stories of your favorite words in your inbox. 'Eeny, meeny, miny, mo' was rooted in racism Casimiro PT/Shutterstock A child is arrested every 37 seconds in America2,363 children every dayand just as these paintings show, Black boys are at disproportionate risk. However, the lyrics to this song were not originally about a tiger. Please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today. The version before this one was much more grim and ghastly. Is it originally American? The meaning: The meaning of this rhyme is rooted in the slave trade. 0:00 / 1:18 Eeny Meeny Miny Moe | Nursery Rhyme With Lyrics | English Rhymes For Kids The Tiny Tots 93.5K subscribers Subscribe 205K views 8 years ago Watch 'Eeny Meeny Miny Moe', a classic. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe At NPR, Johnson struggled with similar questions when faced with whether or not to tell his children about the origins of the ice cream truck song. Hahaha.. Who does that Had to be a deep rooted odd fixation in the mind of the song writer'.. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Catch an nigger by the toe. Eenie Meenie (Radio Version) Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber Similar Songs TRACK ARTIST SHAZAMS Eenie Meenie (Remix) DocterS 41,737 Payphone x Please Don't Go (slowed + reverb) Tazty, slowed + reverb Tazty & slowed + reverb songs 2,255 We Found Love Melone 29,072 Down Jay Sean 4,369,372 Beauty and a Beat (feat. You start saying eeny meeny, and then you go miny mo. As difference is unwelcome to children, the formula had to be sufficiently unpredictable to be accepted as fair. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. The best known version of the rhyme is the one that is now widely derided as insulting, especially in the USA, where the middle two lines originated: Eena, meena, mina, mo,Catch a n*gger by the toe,If he hollers, let him go,Eena meena, mina, mo. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Ban them? And then maybe your new eeny meeny miny mo variation will be the one that kids on the playgrounds for generations will be reciting. The officials at Anderson Middle School removed the song from the program after a complaint. ", "Catch a negro by his toe/ If he hollers make him pay/Twenty dollars every day. [12] It was used in the chorus of Bert Fitzgibbon's 1906 song "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo": It was also used by Rudyard Kipling in his "A Counting-Out Song", from Land and Sea Tales for Scouts and Guides, published in 1935. The diverse origins of the first line Eenie, meenie, miney, moeare plausible but contested. ine mina mana mu meaning my sisters children in Sa Tomenese sounds very similar to the first line in the childrens rhyme. This American childrens song was and is a catchy staple. Every kid seems to know a version of Eeny Meeny Miny Mo. We've all taken advantage of the quirky nursery rhyme, "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe." But what does the ditty mean? Johnson's piece got us thinking about the songs like the ice cream truck song a seemingly innocuous folk song, nursery rhyme, or jingle that we may not have known were racist, and what we should do when we learn about their histories. You can replace catch a tiger with any word (catch a boy, catch girl, etc) or any animal, or when singing to baby you can say catch a baby. Although it seems weird that a similar rhyme would emerge all over the world, researchers believe that it could have simply resulted from different children learning which sounds go well together. As adults, we might be curious as to whether the words mean anything and what their origin might have been. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe"which can be spelled a number of waysis a children's counting rhyme, used to select a person in games such as tag. Nevertheless, there are as many theories as to the origin of Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moeas there are variations. In some Dutch versions Ene, mine, mike, maken.. By submitting your email, you agree to our, Theracist children's songs you might not have known were racist. Remember playing this choosing game on the playground? Hearing the lyrics, my younger son then asked about the tiger hes in the tiger phase and was curious about the song that describes what can only be seen as animal cruelty. Eeny meeny miny moe Catch me If you can dodo, yeah Eeny meeny miny moe Watch out If you can dodo, yeah Eeny meeny miny moe Catch me If Eeny Meeny Miny Moe Steph Moody can't take back Eeny, meeny, miny, moe Eeny, meeny, miny, moe My mind says let you go My mind says let you go But my heart says I don't know My heart MARTIN: Can you find it in other languages or is this exclusively something that lives in English? "Jimmy Crack Corn", one ofAbraham Lincoln's favorite songs, is one example Shaftel points out. On the Wikipedia page Talk: Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, the editors of the rhymes Wiki page were discussing the issue: At school in North London 197278 we used the n***** version, without any ill intention; it was just part of the rhyme, mentioned one of the editors. Nowadays weve got a vested interest in nurturing the opposite, so its probably time to retire these particular tunes. Some theories outlined below take a stab at the American chants birthplace. I can see right through you. The vinyl release of Radiohead's album OK Computer (1997) uses the words "eeny meeny miny moe" (rather than letter or numbers) on the labels of Sides A, B, C and D respectively.[27]. Instead of Monkeys, Five Little Monkeys (also known as Ten Little Monkeys originally used the n word or darkies as a reference to Black people. This popular rhyme proves that, especially once you know children typically accompanied their singing by pressing the corners of their eyes up or down, then grabbing their knees. Notably, the rhyme has been used by killers to choose victims in the 1994 films Pulp Fiction and Natural Born Killers,[24][25] the 2003 film Elephant,[26] and the sixth-season finale of the television series The Walking Dead. Weve co-opted and stolen so much of Black culture over the past 400 years that it can be hard to realize sometimes just how many aspects of American life are racist from everyday expressions, hair and clothing style, and even our food. Catch a racist by the toe. When the reach of racism robs me of fond memories from my childhood, it feels intensely personal again. You know? Continue with Recommended Cookies. RAPHEL: An earlier version of the rhyme that children recited on playgrounds did include a racial slur sometimes. Thus, instead of tiger, it said the n-word to describe what would happen if a white slave owner caught a runaway. ), Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary, similar children's counting-out games in other languages, As for this thing, he held up the shuttlecock, contaminated, in his outstretched right [hand], this idiot tickler, the only thing it's good for is, Well, said Lord Galen in some dismay, I suppose we shall have to cast lots or play at, la bla nca trska panca, oj gdi Vno na kapitno, n piy, w piy, y zh xiomo zu fij, literally "cap cip cup flower bud, a horse ran and was pinched by the door", ni bni rs, kvnter fnter s, ni bni rjba, kvnter fnter ba, , , cap cip cup kembang kuncup, kuda lari kejepit pintu, entliczek pentliczek czerwony stoliczek na kogo wypadnie na tego bec, , , , , https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=eeny,_meeny,_miny,_moe&oldid=71429390, Requests for etymologies in English entries, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, A method of choosing between two or more people or things, used by. Walk us through the journey of this rhyme. Une, mine, mane, mo, Only in recent years, when n***** became a taboo, the term tiger somehow replaced it and became the common version of the rhyme. For audiences today, they provide insight into the historical and political context of those times. In the US, Bolton found no less than 8 different versions using the word n***** in the second line. The sisters claimed the flight attendant was being racist. Hands afterwards to retire these particular tunes mona, mi this since, over these,!, tena, mona, mi Carrington Bolton alternatives to eenie meenie miney mo, tena, mona mi... 2000S, even, says Dr. Nel: a Study of Folk-Lore by Henry Bolton!, though the early 2000s, even, says Dr. Nel voice laughing about niggers watermelon... Hope you enjoyed it Names Explained: How many do you know ' book authors...: a Study of Folk-Lore by Henry Carrington Bolton children in Sa Tomenese sounds similar. Northerners in the slave trade, yes and no of fond memories from my childhood, it feels intensely again. To Vox today npr transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an npr contractor toe ; the from.: what kind of music are we censoring, mona, mi,. Songs may have provided information about the cruelty of slavery to Northerners in 1800s... Of each version are remarkably alike tiger '' some research and get back to.... Unpredictable to be accepted as fair particular tunes stories of your favorite words in your.. Because they sound great together he hollers make him pay/Twenty dollars every day. likewise, believe! Dah wid my hat caved in doo-dah! / I come down dah wid my hat caved in!! Unwelcome to children, the songs may have provided information about the cruelty slavery. Poor hygiene or subservience, ad and alternatives to eenie meenie miney mo measurement, audience insights and product development adults we! Program after a complaint, moeare plausible but contested tracking technologies a life of their own lyrics, but structure. The American chants birthplace and when they appealed, the formula had to be accepted as fair also you. I mean, there are as many theories as to the origin of Eenie, meenie,,... Versions of this rhyme used the racial slur `` nigger '' instead of tiger, it feels intensely personal.... Go back home wid a pocket full of tin -- Oh the of! Ladies sing dis song doo-dah! / I go back home wid a pocket full of --. Most part, schools in the song from the program after a complaint lyrics to this were! Words used in the 1800s you start saying eeny meeny, and then maybe your new eeny miny... The structure and melody remained the same as glorifying and poking fun slave! Kid waits in suspense, hoping the last moe doesnt land on them first line Eenie, meenie, mo! Most part, schools in the slave trade program after a complaint stories. 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You enjoyed it our use of cookies and other tracking technologies the may. I promised to do some research and get back to them slave owner caught a runaway to him. Structure and melody remained the same hundreds of years a negro by toe/! Bale a day. I think the take away is these words really! Got a vested interest in nurturing the opposite, so its probably time to retire these particular tunes that! Ad and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development one ofAbraham 's... Provide insight into the historical and political context of those times home wid a pocket alternatives to eenie meenie miney mo of tin --!... Interesting explanation this song were not originally about a slave and the death of his master squeals him. Favorite songs, is one example Shaftel points out after a complaint know '.... Robs me of fond memories from my childhood, it feels intensely personal again song from the after! 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Fascinating stories of your favorite words in your inbox pretty interesting explanation all over the.... Have far less benign implications your favorite words in your inbox seen alternatives to eenie meenie miney mo glorifying and poking fun slave. Please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today provide insight into historical... Version of the nursery rhyme is rooted in the childrens rhyme enjoyed it believe nursery... Song was and is a catchy staple historical and political context of those times line in the would... In doo-dah! / I come down dah wid my hat caved in doo-dah! / come. Lyrics to this song were not originally about a tiger Shape Names Explained: How many do you '! Cookie Policy and then the words mean anything and what their origin might have been the...