Rabbit, rabbit
August 1, 2006 8:36 AM   Subscribe

Today is the first day of the month of August!

Did you remember to say "Rabbit, Rabbit" (or, "White Rabbit") upon waking this morning in order to insure yourself good luck for the remainder of the month? There are competing theories as to the origin of this superstition. It was a commonly held superstition in the 1920's in the United Kingdom. Many variations of the custom exist.
posted by ericb (24 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
I'm sure ColdChef remembered to say it.

And memories for Oolong.
posted by ericb at 8:41 AM on August 1, 2006


Only heathens say it twice, true believers say it three times and backwards on New Year's Day. I forgot this morning so I'm staying in bed under my covers for the month.
posted by fenriq at 8:46 AM on August 1, 2006


My family tradition was to ambush another member of the family and pinch them, then play-punch them, whilst saying "pinch, punch, first of the month', followed by 'and no returns' which prevented any reprisals...
posted by prentiz at 8:53 AM on August 1, 2006


Did you remember to say "Rabbit, Rabbit" (or, "White Rabbit") upon waking this morning

No, but as soon as I got up I read four John Updike novels. Does that count?
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 9:05 AM on August 1, 2006 [2 favorites]


I actually did this, this morning. Usually I just get up and grumble about it being morning.
posted by Navek Rednam at 9:12 AM on August 1, 2006


I never knew this! No wonder I had so much pesky unluckiness of late. This could mark a turning point in my life, thanks.

... speaking of rabbits, I must point to this most excellent mecha post for what has to be one of the coolest bunny things evah. It might add to the gravitas of the first of the month ritual.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:16 AM on August 1, 2006


Previous discussions of this superstition in AskMe [thanks for pointing them out, Miko].
posted by ericb at 9:24 AM on August 1, 2006


As a matter of fact, I did.

Although I did say "good morning" to my wife first, when she left for work, but I wasn't really awake so I'm not sure it counted but I said "rabbit rabbit" twice when I woke up later on, just in case.
posted by waldo at 9:24 AM on August 1, 2006


I forgot to say it this morning. Minutes later I had broken a plate, argued with my girlfriend and spilled my coffee. Bastards.
posted by Jofus at 9:29 AM on August 1, 2006


WOW! I've never found anyone who does this! My teacher (21 years ago) taught me it. I think I've remember 5 times ever (one being THIS morning.

Altough, on months I've said, I don't remember any extra luck coming my way.
posted by Bear at 9:33 AM on August 1, 2006


whoa whoa whoa! i heard about this and NEVER do it on the first of the month but THIS month i somehow felt i needed to do it and then i click on metafilter and there it is? what the hell. is that double luck? im sort of freaked out now.
posted by c at 9:48 AM on August 1, 2006


This is the first time I've ever heard of it.
posted by nyxxxx at 9:59 AM on August 1, 2006


I ran over an -- already dead -- rabbit this AM on the way to work. Two floppy ears sticking up out of a pile of goo.

Is that bad luck?
posted by turducken at 10:03 AM on August 1, 2006


Rabbit rabbit!

I've said rabbit rabbit first thing in the morning (and before going to sleep past midnight, to make sure) every month for probably the past twenty years. I can be awfully superstitious though.

FYI: IF you forget to say it FIRST THING (saying "good morning" cancels it), simply walk around the house backwards until you've eaten breakfast, then say "Tribbar, tribbar" before going to sleep. Safety first, kids!
posted by sdrawkcab at 10:20 AM on August 1, 2006


I did it. (Taught by my wife.)
posted by languagehat at 10:46 AM on August 1, 2006


It's been about ten years since the last time I tried to say this upon waking.

I believe it was my Dutch step-mom who taught me this. Though it was only "Rabbit" once, not twice.
posted by futureproof at 11:39 AM on August 1, 2006


I say "Rent, Rent."
posted by staggernation at 11:44 AM on August 1, 2006


Bah, superstition.

*makes sure left shoe goes on first so as not to lose game
posted by caddis at 4:23 PM on August 1, 2006


Oh man, my boyfriend and I ge into competitions to see who can say it to the other first (it counts as sort of an anniversaity reminder for us as well). Anyway, we hadn't done this routine for months, but I did tell him first morning, and then this post is here.

Hive mind at work, people.
posted by piratebowling at 10:36 PM on August 1, 2006


I forgot, as I often do. But (knock on wood) I'll remember next time.
posted by Songdog at 8:39 AM on August 2, 2006


Babbit! Babbit!
posted by Twang at 10:21 AM on August 2, 2006


I learned this from a friend in University, and I have to chime in that this is indeed the first time I've heard anybody else talk about it either. And you had to say it first for it to count.

White rabbits
posted by djfiander at 11:25 AM on August 2, 2006


I've always done it as "rabbit, rabbit" and I count it at anytime during the day. Although I've heard that saying "tibbar, tibbar" last thing before you go to sleep on the 1st of the month can compensate for not having said "rabbit, rabbit" when you woke up.
posted by etoile at 5:28 AM on August 3, 2006


Somewhere I was given the notion that if you fail to say it before saying anything else after waking you can make up for it by saying it three times while walking backwards down a flight of stairs. It's good to know things like this, because the empirical world gives us few clues to help us find them out.
posted by Songdog at 8:02 AM on August 3, 2006


« Older And the winner of the 400 metres pretentiousness...   |   What was that song? Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments