It appeared in a work of fiction in 1922: People continue to express curiosity about the origins of this superstition and draw upon it for inspiration in making calendars suggestive of the Labors of the Months, thus linking the rabbit rabbit superstition to seasonal fertility. In response to this note another contributor said that his daughter believed that the outcome would be a present, and that the word must be spoken up the chimney to be most effective another pointed out that the word rabbit was often used in expletives, and suggested that the superstition may be a survival of the ancient belief in swearing as a means of avoiding evil. Other children, I find, use the same formula. The word must be spoken aloud and be the first word said in the month. My two daughters are in the habit of saying 'Rabbits!' on the first day of each month. The exact origin of the superstition is unknown, though it was recorded in Notes and Queries as being said by children in 1909:
'Rabbit rabbit rabbit' is a superstition found in Britain and North America wherein a person says or repeats the words ' rabbit', 'rabbits' and/or 'white rabbits' aloud upon waking on the first day of a month, to ensure good luck for the rest of it. Superstition pertaining to the first day of a month
