“Eenie Meenie Miny Moe” is a popular children’s counting rhyme or game often used to select or choose someone in a group randomly. It is believed to have originated in the United States, although variations of the rhyme exist in different cultures.
It is often used among children in informal settings, such as on playgrounds or during playdates.
It is important to note that earlier versions of the rhyme replaced the word “tiger” with an offensive and discriminatory racial slur.
The rhyme has been modified to replace the offensive word, with “tiger” being a common replacement. This change was made to promote inclusivity and eliminate racial stereotypes.
Lyrics for Eeenie Meenie Miney Moe
Eenie Meenie Miney Moe
Catch a tiger by the toe,
If it hollers, let it go
Eenie Meenie Miney Moe!
Repeat until someone is chosen as it!
How to Play Eeenie Meenie Miney Moe
Step One: Children stand in a circle. They can put one foot in each or the leader can just point at each person.
Step Two: The leader points at each person going around in a circle on each word of the rhyme.
Step Three: When they get to the end of the rhyme, the person whom they land on is eliminated meaning they are not it for the game.
Step Four: When it gets down to the last two people, the last person left is “it”
Step Five: Children can sometimes decide the person who landed the last Moe is “it” or the person who was left over was “it”. There is no right or wrong way to do it, as long as the way it is done is agreed by all children.