Wiktionary

eeny, meeny, miny, moe

English

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Etymology

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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

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eeny, meeny, miny, moe (uncountable)

  1. (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 quarter-line (i.e. each word or pair of syllables). 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 [hand], “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."

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