What does a pinch and a punch mean?
(Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) Said on the first day of a new month, while pinching and punching someone as a prank (especially by children).
What are the rules of Pinch punch first of the month?
According to playground rules, your pinch and punch has to be followed immediately with the words, “White rabbits, no return”. By saying so, it means you can’t be pinched back. There are claims it was widely used among RAF bomber aircrew during WWII, who would say “white rabbits” after waking up to protect themselves.
Can you do pinch punch after 12 pm?
The Rules: It has to be the first day of the month after dawn and before midday. The person(s) have to be awake. You can’t Pinch!
Why do people say Pinch punch first 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. 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.
Is Pinch punch first of the month British?
In Great Britain we have a funny tradition for the first day of each month. First we say “Pinch punch, it’s the first of the month!” Then we give somebody a small pinch and a light punch on the arm. We can do this on first day of every month.
What is Pinch punch first of the month no returns?
According to general playground rules, saying ‘white rabbits, no return’ immediately after enacting your pinch and punch, ensures that you cannot be pinched back. However, in parts of the West Country, fast movers can retaliate to a pinch and a punch with ‘a flick and a kick for being so quick’.
When can you pinch and punch?
Saying ‘pinch punch for the first of the month’ therefore became a way of welcoming in a new month and protecting yourself from bad luck. And, according to ancient playground rules, your ‘pinch, punch’ must be followed by ‘white rabbits, no return’, which means you can’t be pinched and punched back.
What do you say on the 1st of the month?
On the first day of each month, it’s a common tradition for people to say “white rabbit” first thing in the morning, before saying anything else. The phrase is supposed to bring good luck for the rest of the month. Alternatively, you might say the phrase “rabbit rabbit rabbit”.
Where did pinch punch come from?
old England
This phrase is thought to date back to old England times when people believed in the existence of witches. The ‘pinch’ part refers to the pinching of the salt – as this kitchen ingredient was believed to weaken the witches when thrown at them. The ‘punch’ part was to banish the witch once and for all.
Where does pinch punch come from?
Back in old England times, many people believed in witches and banishing them was very important. Salt was thought to be a weakness of a witch – so the pinch part is pinching of the salt, and the punch part was to banish the witch. It might have been a ritual to keep away witches, monthly or otherwise.
What does pinch mean in British?
to steal something
transitive Britishinformalto steal something. Synonyms and related words. To steal, or steal something.