Why do we say white rabbits on the first day of the month?
WHENEVER a new month starts, you'll be very used to hearing phrases like 'pinch punch first day of the month' and 'white rabbits, white rabbits'.
The sayings, which are said to bring about good luck for the month ahead, have become such common practice that many often forget how they started in the first place - so where did it all begin?
Why do we say white rabbits on the first of the month?
As mentioned, saying the words "white rabbit" out loud on the first day of the month every month is said to bring good fortune.
Many people will also say "rabbit rabbit"; when they wake up on the first - again for the same outcome.
But why is this?
Rabbits are considered to be lucky animals, with a rabbit's foot holding particular significance in some countries.
That's because people often hold a rabbit's foot for good luck before doing something.
It's all said to have started with the Celt, who reportedly believed that they were lucky because by they lived in burrows and therefore could communicate with spirits of the underworld.
As well as bringing luck for the month ahead, rabbits are also seen as a key sign of fertility and life, as well as a religious symbol, especially at Easter, of spring and renewal.
Where did the white rabbits phrase come from?
While it's common place today, the saying actually dates back to 1909 when “white rabbits, white rabbits” was recorded in the Notes and Queries book.
It reads: "My two daughters are in the habit of saying 'Rabbits!' on the first day of each month.
"The word must be spoken aloud, and be the first word said in the month.
“It brings luck for that month."
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"Other children, I find, use the same formula."
There's also some people that combine the 'white rabbits' phrase with another popular one.
According to playground rules, a pinch and a punch needs to be followed immediately with the words, "white rabbits, no return" – so that you can't be pinched back.
Some also claim that the term was widely used among RAF bomber aircrew during WWII, who would say "white rabbits" to protect themselves when they woke up.
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Why do we say 'pinch punch' on the first day of the month?
For age old superstitions that have become part of the vernacular, it can be quite hard to pinpoint the exact origin.
So it makes sense that when it comes to "pinch punch," there are several theories of how it came about.
In the past, many people believed in witches and that means that banishing them was very important.
Salt was thought to be a weakness of witches - so the pinch part is the pinching of the salt, and the punch part was to banish the witch.
Some also believe it might have been a ritual to keep away witches, monthly or otherwise.
Alternatively, a theory from across the seas suggests it's all down to first US President George Washington.
Apparently whenever he met with local Indian tribes on the first day of each month, he would supply fruit punch with an added pinch of salt.
This became known as “pinch and punch on the first of the month".
However, despite being an old tradition, it looks like it's here to stay as research has shown that over 60 per cent of Brits still follow good luck rituals.