Rabbit Rabbit

It’s the first of October. Did you start your day with a declaration of “rabbit, rabbit”?

Do you have any idea what I’m talking about?

I first heard of this tradition in junior high school. My English teacher, Mrs. Inglese, told us that we should all say “rabbit, rabbit” upon waking the first day of each month.  The trick was that it had to be the very first thing you said.  If you remembered, you’d have good luck for the month.

I had never heard of this superstition, and I’ve rarely heard anyone mention it since. I’ve rarely remembered to say it since then, but for some reason the idea popped into my head this morning.  I opened my eyes, lying on my back in bed, and said, “rabbit, rabbit!”

It’s the first time I’ve thought of the idea in years.

It’s funny how the mind works…how things from your distant past pop up seemingly without provocation. I’m sure something made me think of Mrs. Inglese, or the rabbit tradition, but I have no idea what.

But anyway, back to rabbit, rabbit.  I did a quick Google search just to make sure I hadn’t made the whole thing up in my mind, but sure enough, there were several articles about the superstition.  There were some variations…some people thought you had to say the word twice, some three times.  Some said you had to say white rabbit.  Or bunny bunny.  Some said it would bring good luck, others said it meant someone would give you a present.

All agreed it had to be the first words off your lips in the morning of the first of each month.

It’s noted as a British and North American superstition, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a strict adherent. But the internet is murky on the actual origins.  It stems from the general sense that rabbits are good luck—carrying a rabbit foot, for example.  But beyond that, the origin is unclear.

Still, if you’re reading this early in the morning and you haven’t yet spoken aloud, give it a try.

And see how lucky October is for you.