Anyone know of the tradition/superstition that has us saying "rabbit rabbit" when we first wake up on the first day of a month? It's supposed to assure good luck for the rest of the month. There are some variations including repeating it three times instead of two, and some people/places say "white rabbits" instead. As far as I know, it's only a Great Britain and North American thing, although many haven't heard of it. In any case, it's March 1, so..... Rabbit, rabbit everyone!
Nor me, but we do say in the UK a pinch and a punch on the first of the month Phrase pinch and a punch for the first of the month (idiomatic, Britain, Ireland) Said the first day of a new month, accompanied by a pinch and a punch to the victim. The victim can then say 'A flick and a kick for being so quick!' accompanied with said flick and kick. Rabbit Rabbit here
Well now hold on here! Who's the bruised one?! It had better be YOU if anyone's bruised from pinching! And from what little I know of Lisa, I suspect she would much rather inflict the pinches like I would instead of being on the receiving end, yes?
I've never heard of that saying of rabbit rabbit either. I did hear of pinch punch for the first of the month and wearing green for April the first so no one would do an April Fool's day prank on you. Thanks for letting me know about it. Rabbit, rabbit. image from http://www.cutestpage.com/pictures/2_Bunnies.htm.
Dunno, so I took the chance of looking it up. Yup, there it was right where it should be at good ol' Wiki whatever. It seems that it is a very British type of custom which has no real foundation although there are many different references as to the whys and wherefores. What I did find fascinating is that it is also customary to walk backwards DOWNSTAIRS while saying "rabbit" on the 1st day of the year. I do suppose if one made it down the entire flight without injury the custom might have some merit as to it's superstitious reasoning. If one did however break his royal behind falling down said staircase then perhaps in his or her head they were saying "bunny, bunny," which we all know is no substitute for rabbit unless of course your name is Bugs. Right about the 1st of June I expect many on this forum will be saying something like "doggone rodent" when they awaken to find that their gardens have been pillaged. I imagine that the rabbit himself might have picked up the custom of saying "garden, garden" on the 1st of each spring, summer and fall month to insure a good harvest in deference to it's human custom counterpart.
Its true, we say 'white rabbits' over here. It must be the 'first' thing you say on the 1st of each month 'Rabbit rabbit' - well that's when you talk a lot - you rabbit too much
Maybe I should start saying that, I could really use a lucky month! I was looking at one of the Facebook yard sale sites, someone was giving away rabbits. I wonder how they get along with cats? The only real problem with rabbits is that they don't live very long, I think an average of 8 years, and I get pretty attached to my animals. I was even sad when my son's gerbil died. It might be fun to havea bunny hopping around. I am really sort of wanting another pet.. Anyway, on September 1, I am going to remember to say rabbit, rabbit.