Do you know this good luck saying for the first of the month? | | Saying "rabbit rabbit" is a quirky tradition that's believed to bring good fortune on the first day of the month. But how did this unusual phrase come to hold such power? | |  | Rachel Gresh |
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| |  | | C ould the superstitious phrase "rabbit rabbit" have influenced the outcome of the 1932 U.S. presidential election? Some, including President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, seemed to believe it could. There's a tradition of saying "rabbit rabbit" on the first day of the month to ensure good luck for the days ahead, and journalists documented FDR's practice of reciting the phrase, as well as carrying a lucky rabbit's foot (which is now on display at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum). That year, he made history as the first Democratic candidate in 80 years to secure both the Electoral College and the popular vote — though whether luck had anything to do with it is anyone's guess.
Regardless, the president wasn't alone in his devotion to the lagomorphic phrase. During World War II, British fighter pilots reportedly recited "rabbit rabbit" before taking flight, hoping for a successful mission. The first print citation seems to be in a 1909 British periodical: A reader's submission recounts a story of how their child would say "rabbit" on the first day of the month, believing it would bring good fortune as the first word spoken.
But this superstitious belief in rabbits surpasses modern Western culture. In Chinese tradition, the rabbit is regarded as the luckiest of the 12 animals in the zodiac. Across many ancient cultures, the rabbit symbolized fertility and life, and in modern symbolism, rabbits serve as a beacon for the coming spring and a religious representation of renewal. All of these beliefs contribute to the enduring superstition that rabbits are harbingers of good fortune.
According to its adherents, saying "rabbit rabbit" is most effective when recited upon waking up on the first of the month. But if you forget to say it, don't worry. According to NPR, saying "black rabbit" or "tibbar tibbar" ("rabbit" spelled backward) before bed will still do the trick in keeping any misfortune at bay for the month ahead. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Popcorn | | | Meaning: Displays a container of popcorn, commonly associated with movies and entertainment.
Evolution: The Popcorn emoji has evolved beyond just movie-watching contexts. It's now frequently used to indicate "watching drama unfold," likely based on the "Michael Jackson eating popcorn" meme.
Usage: [Comment on a viral thread:] me refreshing the comments every 5 minutes 🍿 |
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| | Popcorn | | | Meaning: Displays a container of popcorn, commonly associated with movies and entertainment.
Evolution: The Popcorn emoji has evolved beyond just movie-watching contexts. It's now frequently used to indicate "watching drama unfold," likely based on the "Michael Jackson eating popcorn" meme.
Usage: [Comment on a viral thread:] me refreshing the comments every 5 minutes 🍿 |
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Have you read? | |  | | The Unexpected Evolution of Language | | By Justin Cord Hayes | | If you're a subscriber to our sister site Word Daily, you'll spot some familiar words on the pages of this book. This isn't a heavy academic reference book, but it's a fun (yet still well-researched) overview of the interesting journeys some words have taken. Fun fact: "Accolade" comes from the Latin for "embrace around the neck," and the original English accolade was part of the knighthood ceremony. | | | | Jennifer A. Freeman, Word Smarts Senior Editor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | The Unexpected Evolution of Language | | By Justin Cord Hayes | | If you're a subscriber to our sister site Word Daily, you'll spot some familiar words on the pages of this book. This isn't a heavy academic reference book, but it's a fun (yet still well-researched) overview of the interesting journeys some words have taken. Fun fact: "Accolade" comes from the Latin for "embrace around the neck," and the original English accolade was part of the knighthood ceremony. | | | | Jennifer A. Freeman, Word Smarts Senior Editor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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You might also like | |  | | | | 7 Funny Foreign-Language Idioms | | Idioms add flavor to our everyday conversations in unexpected ways. Discover how cultures around the world infuse their languages with humor through idioms. |
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