Thread: Counting rhymes

I'm not really sure if this term is correct. What I mean is some rhyme children use to determine who will lead in the game.

What I need are the examples of these English rhymes, preferrably with the locations where they could be heard (I mean UK, USA, Australia, etc.)

Thank you.

One, Two Freddy's coming for you,
Three, Four, better lock your door,
Five, Six, grab your crucifix,
Seven, Eight, gonna stay up late,
Nine, Ten never sleep again...

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe


Used when I was a kid in the USA, New Jersey and New York State.


Scott

Many thanks. Keep them going please.

Ramil... ya know I can't remember what happened ten minutes ago (for real, one of my daughters told me one before she went to school and now I can't recall it), yet I can remember chanting these on the playground like it was yesterday. Thank you for asking this question, you brought back some fond memories.

Originally Posted by fortheether

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Used when I was a kid in the USA, New Jersey and New York State.
Scott

That was one of mine and my girls still use it however there is more to it for us...
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers let him go,
My mother said to pick the very best one,
and you are not it!

Here is a wiki page about that one... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eeny,_meeny,_miny,_moe

Then there is Rock-paper-scissors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock,_Paper,_Scissors


I grew up knowing these but my girls don't...(Washington, DC area)

Spuds up
Each person puts their fists forward (their 'spuds' meaning potatoes). One person chants "One potato, two potato, three potato four, five potato, six potato, seven potato, more." with each word pointing to the next spud going round clockwise. The 'spud' on which the word "more" falls is eliminated and the player holds that hand behind their back. The chant starts again from the next spud. When a player has both their spuds eliminated they are out until there is only one winner. If you are smart enough, you can "rig" the game by knowing the progression.


Then there is ....
Ink-a-bink
A bottle of ink
Cork fell out and you stink
My mother told me to pick the very best one and
You are not it!

And...
Bubblegum, bubblegum,
In a dish,
How many pieces,
Do you wish?
Whomever the rhyme ends with chooses a number, and that many "pieces" are counted. The person on whom the last number falls is out.

(Bubblegum is also used for jumping rope as you count how many times the rope passes without the jumper missing.)

And...
My mother and your mother were hanging up clothes,
My mother punched your mother right in the nose.
What color was the blood?
The color chosen is spelled out. Whoever gets the last letter is "it."

And...
Cindereller
Cindereller, dressed in yeller
Went upstairs to kiss her feller
Made a mistake and kissed a snake
Came downstairs with a bellyache
How many doctors did it take?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!
Whoever is #8 is it.

(Cindereller is also used for jumping rope as you count how many times the rope passes without the jumper missing.)


And...
engine, engine #9
going down chicago line
if the train falls off the track,
do you want your money back?
(one choses yes or no)

y-e-s (or n-o) spells yes (or no)

Those are wonderful. Thank you. And about "Rock Scissors Paper" game - I think it's universal (I knew it since I was a kid too).

UPDATED... girls are home and they do know...
Bubblegum, bubblegum, and Cindereller

They also learned these... which I have never heard of...

Tarzan the monkey man
Swinging from a rubber band
Fell down browk his crown
what color was his blood
(then spell the color and the person that is the last letter of the color is it or not it)


NEXT one.... (this was VERY popular they say)
Ip Skip Sky Blue
Who's it not you.
(keep say 'til the last one)

Next....
Why, why Mr. Fly
Did you poke me in the eye?
Did you do it 'cuz your wife just died?
Why, why, Mr. Fly?
(whoever it lands on is it)


And this one which I have heard of and they claim is the MOST popular...
"1,2,3".... "NOT IT!"
everyone screams NOT IT and the last to say "not it" is "IT!"

For three or more people we did odd person out. We count 3-2-1 then each person at the same time puts out 1 or two fingers. The person that does not match the other people is out, or wins depends on how it's being used.

Scott