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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Eeny meeny miney mo
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The most popular of children's counting rhymes, particularly when a child has to be chosen for some role in a game, the choice falling with the last syllable. (The traditional but unconvincing theory has been that it derives from the *Druids choosing a victim for human sacrifice.) The opening line, found in similar form in other languages, is believed to relate back to an otherwise forgotten set of early numerals. The British version of the second line used to be 'catch a tinker by his toe', but this was ousted by the American 'catch a nigger'.
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Since this is now unacceptable, a rhyming character from A.A. *Milne's The House at Pooh Corner has been pressed into service in at least some parts of Britain, the result becoming: Eeny meeny miney mo, Catch a tigger by his toe; If he squeals, let him go, Eeny meeny miney mo.
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