According to some stories of the origins of the phrase pinch punch, it was president George Washington who began the tradition.So where does white rabbits come from?No one really knows for sure why we do such odd things in the UK, but here are the best guesses…Saying the words ‘pinch punch for the first of the month’ therefore became a way of welcoming in a new month and protecting yourself from bad luck.This became known as ‘pinch punch on the first of the 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.Salt was meant to make witches weak, so the pinch signified the use of salt to weaken the witch, while the punch was then administered to banish the witch for good.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.The entry reads: ‘My two daughters are in the habit of saying ‘Rabbits!’ on the first day of each month. Other children, I find, use the same formula.”If someone just gave you a pinch and a punch this morning (and forgets to follow it up with a white rabbit), don’t just punch them back – the correct protocol, which originated in the West Country, is to respond with: ‘A flick and a kick for being so quick’.It was also a common belief among RAF bomber aircrew during WW2 that saying ‘white rabbits’ when you woke up would protect you from harm.When he was President on the first day of each month he would meet with Indian tribes and supply fruit punch with an added pinch of salt.A reference to ‘white rabbits, white rabbits’ is found in the ‘Notes and Queries’ book (a British periodical where experts share knowledge on folklore, literature and history) from 1909.As with most of these bizarre superstitions, there are various theories and ideas regarding their origin.This has become the norm in Britain with families passing on the tradition from parent to child for years, but why would you say and do these things at the start of the month?There is another story that the tradition dates back to medieval times when people believed in witches. It’s a gentle British tradition.There are numerous theories. Neither are unlikely to actually do so, but people do it anyway. A reference to ‘white rabbits, white rabbits’ is found in the ‘Notes and Queries’ book (a British periodical where experts share knowledge on folklore, literature and history) from 1909. Maybe even a random bloke on the bus.“If you say ‘Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit’ – three times, just like that – first thing in the morning on the first of the month, even before you say your prayers, you’ll get a present before the end of the month.”During WW2, it was a common belief among RAF bomber crews to say “white rabbits” upon waking up.Others believe the traditional started long before.
The punch was to banish such characters forevermore – it was protective and shrouded in superstition.“My two daughters are in the habit of saying ‘Rabbits!’ on the first day of each month,” the entry reads. From Bedfordshire, England. You may have also heard the expression “white rabbits” as a precursor, possibly alongside “pinch, punch, first of the month”.Both are supposed to be uttered before midday and are said to bring good luck.
Saying “white rabbits” or “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” on the first day of each month dates back centuries in England.
The word must be spoken aloud, and be the first word said in the month. You’re probably used to people saying ‘white rabbits, white rabbits’ and ‘pinch punch for the first of the month’ when a new month rolls around.
According to one article, it even reached presidents: "Mr Roosevelt... has confessed... that he says ‘Rabbits’ on the first of every month... he would not think of omitting the utterance on any account.”
© 2020 JPIMedia Publications Ltd.“It brings luck for that month. We say “white rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits” on the first of the month.