Knock, Knock, Ginger

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Knock, Knock, Ginger or Knocky Door Ginger were the names for a game dating back to 19th century England or possibly before to the Cornish traditional holiday of Nickanan Night. This game or prank 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]

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, though in the United Kingdom trespass is a civil matter and not a criminal matter so the police will not compile a case for a victim. However, under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, it is a criminal offense to "wilfully and wantonly disturbs any inhabitant, by pulling or ringing any door bell, or knocking at any door" punishable with up to 14 days imprisonment.^[2][3]

This prank goes by many names in different countries. The name Knock, Knock, 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 (United States)^[4]
• Chicky melly,^[5] chickenelly,^{[citation needed]} chap door run (away),^{[citation needed]}
• Knock and run^[6], and the similar knock-a-door-run, both phrases used commonly in Great Britain.
• Nicky nicky nine doors (Canada, US)^[7]
• Ring and run (US)^[8]

Other languages

• Dutch: Belletje trekken (lit. 'ringing the bell') or Belletje lellen
• German: Klingelstreich or Klingelmännchen
• Japanese: ピンポンダッシュ
• Ring Raje (Argentina)^[9]
• Tok Tokkie (South Africa)^[10]

Variations

Knicky, knicky, nine door

"Run By" Running down a street knocking on as many doors as possible and waiting to see all the neighbors come out at one time.^{[citation needed]}

Controversies

Michael Bishop, a 56-year-old man in Louisville, Kentucky shot at a group of kids 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 was hospitalized in the intensive care unit with two collapsed lungs.^[4]

References

See also

• Mischief Night