We all know the well-known sayings 'pinch punch first day of the month' and 'white rabbits, white rabbits'. They are said to bring people luck if you say them on the first day of the month before midday, but where did they come from? The theories: It originates from Medieval times when people believed in witches.
On the first day of each month, it's a common tradition for people to say “white rabbit” first thing in the morning, before saying anything else. The phrase is supposed to bring good luck for the rest of the month. Alternatively, you might say the phrase “rabbit rabbit rabbit”.
Though it sounds a bit like gibberish, the phrase rabbit rabbit is a long-held superstition thought to bring about good luck. But it's not to be uttered just any old random day. Rather, if you say it on the first day of the month before any other words come out of your mouth, then luck is thought to be coaxed your way.
The superstition was that if you forgot to say rabbit, spoken as the first word on the first day of the month, you would have bad luck that month.
However, some people now take the pinch and punch quite literally and dish out the two assaults on the first day of the month. To make things more confusing, in response to 'pinch punch' you must say 'white rabbits, no return', which means you can't be pinched and punched back.
First we say “Pinch punch, it's the first of the month!” Then we give somebody a small pinch and a light punch on the arm. We can do this on first day of every month.
Definition of 'to pull your punches'
If you say that someone does not pull their punches when they are criticizing a person or thing, you mean that they say exactly what they think, even though this might upset or offend people.
According to superstition, saying “rabbit rabbit” before anything else on the first day of the month will bring you good luck for 30 days. Saying “bunny bunny” is said to have the same effect, while some people opt for “rabbits” or “white rabbit.”
Rabbits were so commonly used that pregnancy tests generally became known as rabbit tests, and "the rabbit died" meant that someone was pregnant - although the rabbit was killed in either case. It was mistakenly believed that the rabbit only died if the test was positive.
"Say 'Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit' at the first of the month for good luck and money." Collected by Ernest W. Baughman in New Mexico before 1964.
If you forgot to say "rabbit, rabbit" on the first of the month, but you still want to give it a try, you're in luck. According to word historian Martha Barnette, you can say "tibbar, tibbar" (rabbit rabbit spelled backwards) and still be in the clear.
To find the first day of a month we will calculate the last day of the previous month and add one day.
Just about every elementary schooler learns the months of the year with an easy rhyme: “Thirty days has [or hath] September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, except February …” The leap year, which comes once in four / Gives February one day more.”
One theory comes from the 1909 book, Notes and Queries, which said that children had a habit of making sure “rabbits” was the first word they said aloud on the first day of the month, with the hope that it would bring them luck. This is thought to be the earliest reference to “white rabbits.”
Bunny was originally (and sometimes still is) used as a term of endearment for a young girl. Over time, it started to mean a young and/or small animal, and now it usually means a rabbit.
It's first thing on 1 March. Are your first words a hopeful request for tea, or something along more lupine lines? Saying “white rabbits” or “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” on the first day of each month dates back centuries in England.
When urine is injected into a rabbit, it makes the rabbit think that it is pregnant. The rabbit's ovaries then develop temporary tissue structure that are known as corpora lutea and corpora hemorrhagica.
The rabbit test became a widely used bioassay (animal-based test) to test for pregnancy. The term "rabbit test" was first recorded in 1949, and was the origin of a common euphemism, "the rabbit died", for a positive pregnancy test.
The rabbit was originally a symbol of new life and fertility during spring, which is in April-May in the northern hemisphere. Renewal of life is right. Rabbits can become pregnant one day after giving birth – something to look forward to – have a pregnancy of 31 days and produce a litter of up to 10 babies.
The rabbit symbolizes fertility, luck, and creativity. Rabbits also symbolize compassion and intuition. The rabbit is a popular symbol in many cultures around the world. Often associated with springtime and new beginnings, these happy critters are a reminder that life is full of possibility.
Apparently it was a common belief among RAF bomber aircrew during WW2 that saying "white rabbits" the very first thing upon waking would protect oneself.
Rabbits make great pets. In general rabbits need appropriate housing, exercise, socialisation and a specific diet for good welfare. Some breeds of rabbits, particularly the longer haired rabbits, may require daily grooming.
Before you punch, your thumb needs to be on the outside of your fist, between your first and second knuckles on your index and middle finger. If your thumb is on the inside, as you make contact with the pad you're hitting, you're likely to break your thumb!
The pull counter is a boxing move that can be used as an offensive or defensive tool. As the name suggests, the pull counter involves pulling back while simultaneously throwing a counter punch. This move can be used to surprise your opponent and catch them off guard.
This phrase is thought to date back to old England times when people believed in the existence of witches. The 'pinch' part refers to the pinching of the salt - as this kitchen ingredient was believed to weaken the witches when thrown at them. The 'punch' part was to banish the witch once and for all.