The roots of this catchy rhyme intertwine with a less-than-fun history. The phrase wasn’t originally "catch a tiger by the toe." “Tiger” was a belated replacement for a much more offensive term.
The innocent-sounding rhyme has a shadowy past that can make even the most carefree playground feel like a history lesson gone awry. The original version contained the "N-word".
Though experts think that versions of the song existed long before 1820, white schoolchildren who had learned it from their parents used the rhyme with gusto. Its derivative came from the slave trade and the threats made should one of the enslaved try to escape.
The song wasn't limited to the United States, either. It was heard around the globe, with each version substituting "tiger" for something else that local people loathed. Everybody's so creative.
Decolonizing ourselves and the world is worth examining the playful verses we pass down. So next time you hear "Eenie Meenie Miney Moe," consider using something else. After all, who wants to rely on a racist nursery rhyme to make a decision?