12 Everyday Words You Use That Are Actually Racist
2. Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe
Another phrase as opposed to a word, but this one really will shock you because all kids are taught to use this to help them decide which bags or sweets they want, or who they want on their team in five-a-side... The 19th Century children's rhyme had, in some early versions, a racist word in it's second line. The whole rhyme nowadays goes:
"Eenie, meenie, miney, moe "Catch a tiger by the toe "If it squeals, let it go "Eenie, meenie, miney, moe..."
In 1800s American, however, "tiger" was often replaced with "n****r". Ruins your childhood that little bit, doesn't it?
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
Another phrase as opposed to a word, but this one really will shock you because all kids are taught to use this to help them decide which bags or sweets they want, or who they want on their team in five-a-side... The 19th Century children's rhyme had, in some early versions, a racist word in it's second line. The whole rhyme nowadays goes: