I have been doing this for as long as I can remember. I suppose it must be a superstition / good luck tradition that I was taught in early childhood by my Mum or my sisters. But I know that the other children at my school did this too so I have always assumed it is a widely used bit of ritual like crossing fingers or touching wood.
This morning at breakfast DD said "Is it the first today? White Rabbit" and I said "Oh yes, I nearly forgot. White Rabbit." Whereupon DH (to whom I have been married for more than 20 years) suddenly exclaimed "But why? Why do you do this? I have never known anyone else who did this!"
I was somewhat taken aback since I didn't think it was at all unusual. Silly maybe, but not unknown.
So, Mnetters - how many of you said "White Rabbit" this morning? Please reassure me that this is not just a custom peculiar to the village where I was brought up!