eeny, meeny, miny, moe
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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Compare Dutch iene miene mutte, German ene mene mu.
This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.
Noun
eeny, meeny, miny, moe (uncountable)
- (playground games) A method of choosing between two or more people or things, used by children. A child points to each item in turn (or alternately), while saying a rhyme starting "Eeny, meeny, miney, moe", moving to the next item after each word. The item pointed to on the last word of the rhyme is the one chosen.
- 1959, John Knowles, chapter 3, in A Separate Peace:
- “...As for this thing”, ... he held up the shuttlecock, contaminated, in his outstretched right , “this idiot tickler, the only thing it's good for is eeny-meeny-miney-mo”.
- 1985, Lawrence Durrell, Quinx, Faber & Faber; (Avignon Quintet), published 2004, page 1252:
- “Well”, said Lord Galen in some dismay, “I suppose we shall have to cast lots or play at Eeni Meeni Mina Mo?”
- 2024 May 22, The Guardian, London, page 8, column 4:
- "Graham's quick reminder was crucial because I couldn't remember what anyone said. It was eeny-meany-miney-moe. Sue was miney."
Translations
similar children's counting-out games in other languages
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See also
Further reading
eeny, meeny, miny, moe on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
