The version I grew up with was that “rabbit” was to be said when you wake up on the first day each month, not once the clock strikes midnight. Then, upon waking on the last day of the month, you must say “rabbit” 7 times in a row.
It’s just ‘rabbits’ where I come from. The lapine theme seems to be very common around the English-speaking world; it’s just the details that vary from place to place.
There is also the superstition that if you say “Bunny Bunny” as the last thing you say at the end of the month. I think it means you had good luck during the last month, but didn’t realize it…
My high school French teacher taught us this in 1975, and a traveling companion on a Kenyan photo safari in 1996 taught us that if you forgot to say rabbit, rabbit, then you could reinstate your luck by taking the first set of stairs that you encounter on the first day of the month backwards. I now live in a house with no stairs, anywhere, neither indoors nor out, so I have become pretty “rememberful” about saying it in my dotage.
I learned this from my friend’s Dad. Though I remember we had to say “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” and it just had to be said on the first of each month – not the first thing uttered for the day.
I passed it on to my daughter and now to the grandchildren.
My ex’s family did this, although I remember it just being one “rabbit”, not two. I never understood where the heck it came from, but accepted it and much of the time did it myself. Eventually, however, I changed it to “Dachshund”.
Da'Dad about 1 month ago
Sounds like something my MIL would say. In the family it was called “Fiction and Fact from Grandma’s Almanac”
C about 1 month ago
That time of the month again
rob.home about 1 month ago
My Grandma told me this when I was a kid.
Robin Harwood about 1 month ago
I’ve never heard of this. Can I remember it for a month?
Lucy Rudy about 1 month ago
It’s still Nov for another hour here. When I wake up in the morning, I won’t remember to say it.
WhatsTheJoke about 1 month ago
Do groans (that I gotta get up..) count?
The Humanist about 1 month ago
Aren’t superstitions associated with old women?
John M about 1 month ago
I thought maybe he’d be launching into a Chas & Dave song – chorus is “Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” repeated a few times
maureenmck Premium Member about 1 month ago
The version I grew up with was that “rabbit” was to be said when you wake up on the first day each month, not once the clock strikes midnight. Then, upon waking on the last day of the month, you must say “rabbit” 7 times in a row.
AnneFackler about 1 month ago
I said it and my cat looked at me like I’m stupid.
nosirrom about 1 month ago
I wish I had known this years ago. Alas, I’ll never have good luck because the first words out of my mouth EVERY morning are “OW, OW, OW!”
Sephten about 1 month ago
It’s just ‘rabbits’ where I come from. The lapine theme seems to be very common around the English-speaking world; it’s just the details that vary from place to place.
Superhawk about 1 month ago
Why do I keep hearing Elmer Fudd in my head?
JessieRandySmithJr. about 1 month ago
Is everyone scrambling to google this?
Jim about 1 month ago
White Rabbits
The Orange Mailman about 1 month ago
When you believe in things that you don’t understand, superstition ain’t the way.
BadCreaturesBecomeDems about 1 month ago
Be careful: my wife went out hunting this morning.
david_42 about 1 month ago
My first words today were “Dogs outside.” Same as every morning.
rlfekete1 Premium Member about 1 month ago
And we all looked it up.
timinwsac Premium Member about 1 month ago
Stubbed my toe just after getting outta bed this morning….rabbit rabbit wasn’t the first words out of my mouth.
Gameguy49 Premium Member about 1 month ago
Arlo should have learned that MANY years ago before he got old, like me.
chief tommy about 1 month ago
I’m 73 and I’ve never heard this before
j_e_richards about 1 month ago
There is also the superstition that if you say “Bunny Bunny” as the last thing you say at the end of the month. I think it means you had good luck during the last month, but didn’t realize it…
Darryl Heine about 1 month ago
Why not “Rabbit Season! Duck Season!”?
Thanksfortheinfo2000 about 1 month ago
Happy New Month!
hfelder7219 about 1 month ago
I’ve heard you’re supposed to say it 3 times
hfelder7219 about 1 month ago
Happy first Sunday of Advent!
ddjg about 1 month ago
“Rabbit, rabbit.” Right.
Sevvie Premium Member about 1 month ago
But have you ever TRIED it?
Teresa Murphy Premium Member about 1 month ago
There is a tween book mystery series, Trixie Belden, that mentions this in one of the books.
Emperor Rick about 1 month ago
In the 1500’s people believed bathing caused a pre-mature death. Perfume companies approved the notion.
KaraBooBunny about 1 month ago
My high school French teacher taught us this in 1975, and a traveling companion on a Kenyan photo safari in 1996 taught us that if you forgot to say rabbit, rabbit, then you could reinstate your luck by taking the first set of stairs that you encounter on the first day of the month backwards. I now live in a house with no stairs, anywhere, neither indoors nor out, so I have become pretty “rememberful” about saying it in my dotage.
raybarb44 about 1 month ago
Oooooo, that waskally wabbit……
gigagrouch about 1 month ago
A tradition in my family for as long as i can remember. Usually in group texts since we’re scattered across the country…
trainnut1956 about 1 month ago
My first words are always “Are you hungry” as the cats rush the food bowls.
kjnrun about 1 month ago
Never heard that superstition.
harbormoon about 1 month ago
I do that! When I remember, of course… :-)
petermerck about 1 month ago
Chick McGee always repeats 3 rabbits.
royq27 about 1 month ago
Hop to it!
Heelboy 12 about 1 month ago
Crawl back into bed, Arlo and see if your hypothesis on luck holds true!
cracker65 about 1 month ago
Well now that they are both awake, they can both get lucky.
LoveBritTV Premium Member about 1 month ago
I learned this from my friend’s Dad. Though I remember we had to say “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” and it just had to be said on the first of each month – not the first thing uttered for the day.
I passed it on to my daughter and now to the grandchildren.
95 about 1 month ago
Is that a mnemonic to help remember to flip the page on paper calendars?
WF11 about 1 month ago
My ex’s family did this, although I remember it just being one “rabbit”, not two. I never understood where the heck it came from, but accepted it and much of the time did it myself. Eventually, however, I changed it to “Dachshund”.
Laurie Stoker Premium Member about 1 month ago
Too bad Arlo didn’t explain this before Janis had to ask …
sincavage05 about 1 month ago
And here I thought he was hungry.
christelisbetty about 1 month ago
Never heard of it.May be why I rarely have good luck.
markkahler52 about 1 month ago
I’ll save mine for New Years!
CleverHans Premium Member about 1 month ago
Candle Jack
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Candyman Candyman Candyman Candyman Candyman
Okay, I’m done.
DaBump Premium Member about 1 month ago
What culture did that come from?
tvstevie about 1 month ago
Timing is everything.
Ceeg22 Premium Member 20 days ago
I first heard of it only a couple of years ago. Rabbit is very unlikely to be the first word out of my mouth when I wake up in the morning