Meaning
What does Ding Dong Ditch mean?
Ding dong ditch is the classic prank of knocking on someone’s door or ringing their doorbell only to run away.
The game is known in the United Kingdom as knock knock ginger or knock knock run.
Origin
What's the origin of Ding Dong Ditch?
The game is played by several cultures across the globe, so its exact origins are hard to pinpoint.
It is commonly believed to originate from 19th century England, possibly coming from the Cornish tradition of the Nickanan Night also known as Rougery Night; an event when youths had an excuse to perform minor acts of vandalism as well as playing tricks and pranks on their neighbors.
The prank is known by several names across the globe, with “ding dong ditch” emerging in the 1980’s, imitating and alliterating with the sound of a doorbell.
Spread & Usage
How did Ding Dong Ditch spread?
The game would be played by children in countless towns and cities all across the world, getting portrayed in movies, cartoons and animations as well.
“Ding dong ditch” was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2002.
In the 2010’s, UPS deliverymen were often joked about being the champions of “ding dong ditch”.
External resources
- The Wallstreet Journal – The Perfect Prank for These Times: Ding-Dong Ditch Is Back
- People – Parents of Calif. Boys Killed After Ding-Dong Ditch Prank Forgive Suspect: ‘It’s What We Believe’
- Wikipedia – Knock, Knock, Ginger