ID: 79
Date: 1950s -  2006
Title: Pinch and punch
Gender: Male/Female 
Classification: Calendar 
Rhyme: 

A pinch and a punch,
For the first of the month, (Tauranga, 2000)
No returns from you!
(And only pigs return it.)

(Nelson, 1960s; Nelson, 1990s; Waiuku, 2000; Greymouth, 2005;  Auckland, 2006)

--

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month. 
A slap and a kick for being so quick. (Hamilton, 2005; Papakura, 1990s)
And no returns
A kick and a slap for getting me back.

(Christchurch, 1990s; Greymouth, 2000; Ashburton, 2006)

--

A kick and a flick for being a dick.

(Auckland, 2006)

--

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month. 
A slap and a kick for being so quick.
A pinch in reply for being so sly.

(Whangaparaora, 2000)

--

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month. 
A slap and a kick for being so quick.
A biff and a blow, for being so slow.

(NZ ex UK, 1950s; Whangarei, 1998)

--

A pinch and a blow for being so slow.
Don't be so fast 'cos I'm the last.

(NZ, 1980s)

--

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month. 
And only pigs can return it.

(Timaru, 2001)

--
 
Background Info: A pinch and a kick for being so quick. 
And no returns.
A slap in the eye for being so sly. (Opie, 1967:300)

==

Mentioned in Sutton-Smith, 1959:99, as being used in the period 1920s-1950s.

==

Bauer, 2003:112 discusses retorts to the pinch and punch rhyme as a "way of keeping the upper hand in a confrontation."

A pull of the hair for the rest of the year.
A flick and a kick for being so quick.
A punch and a blow for being so slow.
A slap and a whack for answering back.
A hit and a kick for being a dick.
A kick and a slap, you can't do it back.

Also the saying of "white rabbits" before the pinch and punch, negated the effect. Also "RCD to kill the rabbits."

==
 
Keywords: calendar 
Location: Various NZ 
Group size: 2 
Incidence: 14