Knock, Knock, Ginger
Knock, knock, ginger (also known as knock down ginger, knock off ginger, knocky door ginger, ding dong ditch and knock knock run) is a prank or game dating back to 19th century England, or possibly the earlier Cornish traditional holiday of Nickanan Night. The game is played by children in many cultures. It involves knocking on the front door (or ringing the doorbell) of a victim, then running away before the door can be answered.[1]
This prank goes by many names in different countries. The name knock down ginger or knocky door ginger, used in Britain, comes from a piece of British doggerel:
- Ginger, Ginger broke a winder
- Hit the winda - crack!
- The baker came out to give 'im a clout
- And landed on his back.
Name variations
The game in various forms is known by different names geographically, including the following:
- Ding dong ditch,[2] doorbell ditching (United States, Canada)
- Chicky melly,[3] chickenelly, chap door run (away) (Scotland)
- Knock and run,[4] and the similar knock knock run, and knock-a-door-run, both phrases used commonly in Great Britain.
- Cherry knocking (United Kingdom, late 20th century)[5][6]
- Nicky nicky nine doors (Canada, United States)[7]
- Ring and run (United States)[8]
- Nigger knocking (United States) [9]
Variants
A variant involves placing animal faeces in newspaper on the victim's doorstep, setting it alight, then ringing the doorbell and making a getaway. An unsuspecting victim may choose to use their foot to extinguish the small blaze.
Legality
Victims of this prank are not likely to call the police, but if they decide to, the "doorbell ditcher" can face charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace. In the United Kingdom, trespassing is a civil matter rather than a criminal one, and the police will not compile a case for a victim. However, under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, it is a criminal offence to "wilfully and wantonly disturb any inhabitant, by pulling or ringing any door bell, or knocking at any door" punishable with up to 14 days imprisonment.[10][11]
Michael Bishop, a 56-year-old man in Louisville, Kentucky shot at a group of children playing ding dong ditch at his house on 13 June 2011. A 12-year-old boy was hit in the back with a shotgun blast and "the boy was taken to Kosair Children's Hospital with what police call non-life-threatening injuries." The shooter was charged with attempted murder.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Daniel Kemp (2011-06-14). "Police: Boy Playing Ding-Dong Ditch Shot In Back". Wlky.com. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ↑ Black, Claire. "Interview: Sue Lawrence, home cook". The Scotsman. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ↑ Knock and Run, BBC
- ↑ "Cherry-knocking turns to theft of OAPs' doorbells". Gloucestershire Echo. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
- ↑ Country Doctor. Constable & Robinson Ltd. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
- ↑ "nicky nicky nine doors", Dictionary.com (Oakland, CA, United States), retrieved 2011-01-16
- ↑ Clough, Alexandra (23 February 2010). "Family of boy shot and killed during ring-and-run prank near Boca may never see settlement after shooter files bankruptcy". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ↑ Alameen, Imam Hamzah (14 December 2009). "Ding, Dong, and Ditch and The History of Nigger Knocking". uPusblish.info. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ↑ "Town Police Clauses Act 1847". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ↑ Forsyth County, Georgia, USA is very strict on Trespassing, and Disturbing the Peace and "Ding Dong Ditch" (their version of this) is considered a crime in that county, and the fine is $100.