One, Two, Buckle My - Shoe

While many people only know the first ten numbers, the traditional version actually counts up to twenty: Buckle my shoe 3, 4: Shut the door (or "knock at the door") 5, 6: Pick up sticks 7, 8: Lay them straight 9, 10: A big fat hen 11, 12: Dig and delve 13, 14: Maids a-courting 15, 16: Maids in the kitchen 17, 18: Maids in waiting 19, 20: My plate’s empty (or "my stomach's empty") Historical Origins & Meanings

Some interpret the rhyme as a way to teach children good habits: getting ready (buckling shoes), arriving at work (shutting the door), and completing a task neatly. Educational Benefits One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

likely describes arranging these pins to create patterns. While many people only know the first ten