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Sunday, 1 August 2010

Rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit!

I recently discovered an ancient tradition that I'm sure Crafty Green Boyfriend and I will find very easy to adopt! This is the tradition of saying rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit! (or similar) on waking up on the first day of every month.

There are a bewildering number of varieties of this tradition, which are gathered together in entertaining manner over on Wikipedia here.

19 comments:

  1. A friend of mine said her mom used to do this too. I say it every morning......

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  2. I can imagine Amelia and the Spots enjoy that Diana!

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  3. On reading the title of the post I thought it'd be something about Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass...

    The wikipedia article says the origins aren't clear; it would be interesting to trace them, if possible, and see where this originated... they do mention it ties into other rabbit-luck beliefs, like the rabbit's foot bringing good luck.

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  4. Saying "rabbit, rabbit" is good every day!

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  5. well, if saying this once a month or everyday brings good luck i can easily adopt it into routine, :)

    have a great day.

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  6. Huh! I have to look that one up. Rabbits are a huge favorite of mine (I think I said that on another post of yours) but I've never heard that saying.

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  7. Darn.
    I keep trying to do that, and I've missed it again this month!!

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  8. That is really neat. I must begin doing that. Do you know the history of the tradition?

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  9. Oh, duh...I missed the link. I'll have to check it out. Also, it gives me something to add to my list of folklore investigations (which have fallen to the wayside a bit in recent years, although the list keeps growing).

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  10. HKatz - I always like to confound people's expectations...

    bunnygirl - indeed!

    Naquillity - that's what we think here too!

    Sallie - I hadn't heard it before a week ago either!

    Pamela - it's good luck if you say it to Edward before he says it to you, so you'll be fine!

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  11. For as far back as I can remember I have always said 'rabbits' on the first of the month. If I forget or don't realise the date then when I find out I turn on the spot three times and say - abracadabrafiddlededeegobbledegook.
    Yes, I know I am nuts!

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  12. Weaver, that's hilarious!

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  13. Interesting! I'll have to remember this one. Thanks!

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  14. The power of the spoken word, eh! I wonder what the sinister side of its origin is, most folklore has a sinister edge don't you think? Interesting...

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  15. Always done it! It has to be the first thing you say in the morning. Not only good luck, but then no one can get you with "A pinch and a punch etc."

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  16. Rabbit rabbit moose moose I can honestly say I've never heard of any of this before and quite frankly I'm glad!!!

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  17. I too remember always saying simply 'white rabbits' on the first day of the month.... also 'pinch punch the first day of the month' - which was always said in the school playground but now I don't think my own children exchange the phrase, so perhaps that one is dying out also. Or maybe it is discouraged!

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  18. It's amazing to me that so many people wake up and remember that it's the first day of the month. I wake up a bit groggier than that, I guess. :)

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  19. never ever heard of this ever ever ever ... i usually wake up and say i am late i am late i am late

    interesting it was only in print in 1950's or so...

    interesting

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