Culled from la Wiki, always at her best at the start of the month, just after payday, of course...
“Rabbit rabbit white rabbit” is a common superstition, held particularly among children. The most common modern version states that a person should say “rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit” upon waking on the first day of each new month, and on doing so will receive good luck for the remainder of that month.
In some English districts it is considered necessary to say 'Hares' (not in the north - Have you heard of this my bloggy rabbit's ears?!) or 'Black Rabbits' (never!), when going to bed on the night before, as well as 'Rabbits' or White Rabbits' (definitely in the north east of England!), in the morning of the first day of the month.
Traditions also extend to saying on the first of each month: “A pinch and a punch for the first day of the month; white rabbit!” (Quite possibly!)
White rabbit is declared to be the “no returns” policy on the “pinch and the punch” the receiver felt. Origins of this saying is unknown. A small concession exists, for recipients of the "pinch and a punch," where white rabbit declaration (no returns - 'nae skinchies', in my dialect - Don't ask what it means, for I do not know! It's probably from the Viking!), is not made".
One of my fondest and most fearful childhood memories is of my grandmother, known to one and all as 'Nanna', bred from Scottish stock, one of 13 siblings, dolled up in her best woollen coat ('Dark - hides the marks!'), black hat atop her permed white curls, false teeth in and standing to attention, (as if she were off to see the doctor in fact!), her best sixties frock on underneath, with a white rabbit paw brooch adorning her lapel, set off, of course, with an amber crystal-jewel...
As a tot, I gingerly stroked the rabbit's paw, thought to bring good luck.
But it terrified me quand meme, all the same, mes bloggy Alices...
What are your memories of your grandparents, mes bloggy grandchilders?!
And if you're a grandparent, or mum, or dad, or guardian, or aunt to Teen Terrorists and their Tween Accomplices, come and visit us Mad, Manic, Mamas... We're mad, we're manic and we're possibly menopausal, and we're desperate to share our Tales of Teen Terror, oh, and occasional love!
15 comments:
On being got with a "pinch and a punch", I'd retaliate with "a hit and a kick for being so quick!" Violent, moi?
I did not know there were so many traditions to greet a new month.;))
I was barely 10 when my grandparents passed away, but I remember my fathers father as a very distinguished gentleman, with several cameras around his neck, always photographing.;)
Hi Fhina,
I'm back from me travels and a jolly good time was had.
I'm familiar with a variation of the rabbits thing but rarely remember to say it! One of my Gran's did indeed have a rabbit's foot brooch, which is hard to imagining bringing luck. She also had a fox fur stole complete with spring-loaded mouth and staring glass eyes! Thank you for bringing back those memories!!!
Hello,
Nice to find your delightful blog! I never heard of the rabbit saying but it does sound appealing and fun to try. I always thought it odd that one would have a rabbit's foot as a good luck charm. I remember the first time I touched one...creepy, and it made me sad. "Poor bunny", I thought....
I enjoy your blog and will stop back again.~~
My remembery is not very good. I always think maybe I'll try this rabbit thing on the first of the month - figuring what can it hurt, and all - and then I forget. And then it's too late to go back and do it, so I make a mental note to try again. And then I forget again.
It's a terrible circle!
Bloggus Forgettus
XXOOXX
So interesting! That's a superstition I've never heard of here in the States.
I was going to make a comment about a pink rabbit then thought better of it!
have checked over to suldogs today??? be warned..
saz x
Oh - I remember saying: A pinch and a punch... White rabbit!
I also used to say White rabbit to ward off my siblings' punches - but it never worked.
My gran had an awful rabbit's foot brooch too!
I love this and you know, you got me saying each of these things as I'm feeling very superstitious as of late. Here's hoping there's some validity or power there.
My grandmother...so many memories...one is of her wink. There was always a secret between us.
I love this tradition! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ma chère Boucle d'Or,
Neither of my grandmothers had a rabbit's foot brooch (my maternal grannie had a little ermine cape with all the tails dangling which frightened me terribly) but I taught my daughter's French father that it was a tradition in England for the first one to say "white rabbit" on the first of the month to receive a present from the other. As I always got up before he did, I always won and therefore received a present. What a conniving little kapgaf I was!
Gross bises
This is fun. My dad (who was French from Alsace)never said any thing about rabbits except that they were go to eat. I like this much better.
We can't get enough of these rabbits' tales.
None of those expressions apply to my childhood. We did have the lucky rabbit's foot, but that's about it with the bunnies.
But I do have many fabulous memories of my grandparents.
If your sitting by a fire, outside, and the smoke is blowing in your face, say "White Rabbits" three times, and the smoke will be blowing in a different direction.
This, from the Canadian wilderness. Trust the Bear on this. ;)
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