[PW] a pinch and a punch...

[Narelle Seymour]

Hi all,

Does anyone know of an authoritative source that gives the origins of
the phrase "a pinch and a punch for the first of the month?"  We have
tried Lit finder and many books of quotations and phrase origins.
Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable shows the phrase but does not
give much information.  We know that there are regional variations of
this phrase in Australia, New Zealand and Canada but we don't want to go
into the whole 'white rabbit' side question.

 

Any help gratefully received,

Narelle Seymour

Reference Services Coordinator

Glen Eira Library and Information Service

NSeymour at gleneira.vic.gov.au