If you’ve ever been curious about the origins of the saying ‘pinch, punch’, we have all the answers for you.
For those raised in a household filled with superstitions, phrases like ‘pinch punch’ and ‘white rabbits’ on the first day of the month might sound familiar. It’s a tradition believed to bring good luck, but have you ever stopped to think about the origins and reasons behind these sayings? Why do we resort to pinching to mark the start of a new month? And is it true that ‘white rabbits’ can only be said in months with the letter R? Let’s unravel the mystery behind these age-old superstitions.
There are a few different theories floating around explaining the tradition of saying “pinch and punch on the first of the month” every month. One theory suggests that it stems from old English beliefs about witches and their supposed weakness to salt. Another theory ties it back to President George Washington’s meetings with Native American tribes, where he would serve fruit punch with a pinch of salt on the first day of each month.
As for the “white rabbits” part, this phrase has been documented as early as 1909 in the book ‘Notes and Queries’. It was believed to bring luck for the month if spoken out loud as the first words on the first day. According to tradition, after saying “pinch and punch”, one must immediately follow it with “white rabbits, no return” to avoid being pinched back.
There are even claims that this phrase was used among RAF bomber aircrew during World War II as a way to protect themselves. While the true origins remain a mystery, these theories offer some interesting insight into the tradition.
