Knock down ginger

{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2022}}

The game in various forms is known by different names geographically, including the following:

• {{lang|hu|Ajtóbetyárkodás}} (Hungary)
• Belfast (Northern Ireland){{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
• {{lang|nl|Belleke trek}} (Belgium)Belletje trekken, Retrieved 2015-11-02{{Better source needed|date=November 2015|reason=WP:CIRCULAR}}
• {{lang|nl|Belletje trekken}} or {{lang|nl|Belletje lellen}} (Netherlands){{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
• Bobby knocking (Wales){{cite web|url=http://www.kevinbrennan.co.uk/2005/03/knock-out-ginger.html | title=Kevin Brennan MP|website=Kevinbrennan.co.uk }}
• {{lang|sv|Busknacka, Busplinga}} (Sweden)
• Chappy, Chappies,{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Craig|title=Article: Remembering Two Man Hunt, Chappy and the other games Glasgow kids played on the streets, Glasgow Live|url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/chappy-and-the-other-games-15821321|access-date=10 June 2019}} Chicky melly{{cite web|last=Black|first=Claire|title=Interview: Sue Lawrence, home cook |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/interviews/Interview-Sue-Lawrence-home-cook.6817095.jp?articlepage=3|work=The Scotsman|access-date=31 August 2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/chickiemellie|title=Dictionaries of the Scots Language:: SND :: chickiemellie|website=Dsl.ac.uk|access-date=20 February 2025}} Chap-door-run,{{cite web|url=http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sndns757|title=Dictionary of the Scots Language :: SND :: Chap v.1|website=Dsl.ac.uk}} (Scotland)
• Cherry knocking (Gloucestershire, England){{cite web|title=Cherry-knocking turns to theft of OAPs' doorbells|url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Cherry-knocking-turns-theft-OAPs-doorbells/story-16282580-detail/story.html#axzz2Xjdman79|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130701055846/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Cherry-knocking-turns-theft-OAPs-doorbells/story-16282580-detail/story.html%23axzz2Xjdman79|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2013|publisher=Gloucestershire Echo|date=5 June 2012|access-date=30 June 2013}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4GeGDhiSsM8C |title=Country Doctor |publisher=Constable & Robinson Ltd |access-date=30 June 2013|isbn=9781472107992 |date=7 February 2013 }}
• Dyraat (Iceland){{cite web|url=https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2021/09/15/hljop_uppi_ungling_sem_var_ad_gera_dyraat/ | title=Hljóp uppi ungling sem var að gera dyraat|website=Mbl.is}}
• {{lang|de|Klingelstreich}} (Germany){{cite web |url=https://www.zeit.de/zeit-wissen/2021/05/kinder-psychologie-klingeltreich-lachen-freude-macht |date=2021-08-18 |access-date=2024-04-13 |publisher=Zeit Online |author=Silke Weber |title=Warum macht der Klingelstreich Kindern so viel Freude?}}
• Knick knack (Dublin, Ireland){{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyedge.ie:443/dublin-granny-knick-knack-2535061-Jan2016/|title=This 82-year-old Dublin granny was almost caught rapid doing a knick-knack|first=Emer|last=McLysaght|date=7 January 2016|website=The Daily Edge|access-date=20 February 2025}}
• Knick knock (Cornwall, England)
• Knick knock nanny (Oxfordshire, England)
• Knicky-Knocky nine doors (Durham)
• Knock a dolly (Ireland)
• Knock a door dash (Liverpool, England)
• Knock a door run (England)
• Knock and bolt (Buckinghamshire, England)
• Knock and nash (United Kingdom){{cite web |url=http://www.cwherald.com/a/archive/knock-and-nash-nuisance.304556.html |title="Knock and nash" nuisance |publisher=Cwherald.com |date=2008-02-29 |access-date=2016-03-27 |archive-date=6 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406052612/http://www.cwherald.com/a/archive/knock-and-nash-nuisance.304556.html |url-status=dead }}
• Knock and run (England){{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3682352|title=h2g2 - Knocking on Doors - a How-to Guide - Edited Entry|website=Bbc.co.uk}}
• Knock door run (Leicester, England, midlands){{cite web|title=Prank|date=January 2019|url=http://projects.alc.manchester.ac.uk/ukdialectmaps/lexical-variation/prank/|website=Projects.alc.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518055510/http://projects.alc.manchester.ac.uk/ukdialectmaps/lexical-variation/prank/|url-status=dead}}
• Knock down ginger (England){{cite web|url=https://idiomorigins.org/origin/knock-down-ginger#:~:text=Knock%20down%20ginger%20is%20the%20name%20of%20a,striking%20the%20door%20knocker%20in%20a%20downward%20direction. | title=Origins of: Knock down ginger |website=Idiomorigins.org| date=25 July 2021 }}
• Knock off ginger (England){{cite web|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/how-speak-hull-32-ways-2148371 | title=Hull Daily Mail|website=Hulldailymail.co.uk | date=3 November 2018 }}
• Knocky door neighbours (Newcastle Upon Tyne){{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
• Rat a tat ginger (Coventry, England; Cardiff, Wales)
• {{lang|no|Ringepigg}} (Norway)
• {{lang|es|Tocatimbres}} (Spain)

• Ding dong ditch (United States){{cite web |author=Daniel Kemp |url=http://www.wlky.com/r/28232763/detail.html |title=Police: Boy Playing Ding-Dong Ditch Shot in Back |website=Wlky.com |date=2011-06-14 |access-date=2012-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323113217/http://www.wlky.com/r/28232763/detail.html |archive-date=23 March 2012}}
• Doorbell ditch (United States){{cite web |author=Aimee Ortiz |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/us/ding-dong-ditch-prank-crash-deaths.html |title='Doorbell Ditch' Prank Led to Crash That Killed 3 Teens, Officials Say |work=The New York Times |date=2020-01-24 |access-date=2021-05-07}}
• Doorbell dixie (United States){{cite web |author=Chris O'Connell |url=https://www.fox29.com/news/dsp-trooper-accused-of-assault-as-new-castle-county-boy-15-hospitalized-with-serious-injuries-family-says |title=Delaware state trooper accused of assault; teen hospitalized with serious injuries |work=FOX 29 Philadelphia |date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-30}}
• Knock, knock, ginger (Canada){{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
• Knicky Knicky Nine Door (Canada){{Cite web |date=September 26, 2023 |title=Nicky nicky nine doors definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/nicky-nicky-nine-doors |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=Collinsdictionary.com}}
• Ring and run (United States){{cite web|last=Clough|first=Alexandra|title=Family of boy shot and killed during ring-and-run prank near Boca may never see settlement after shooter files bankruptcy|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/family-of-boy-shot-and-killed-during-ring-270876.html|work=The Palm Beach Post|access-date=10 April 2012|date=23 February 2010}}
• Sonne-décrisse (Canada){{Cite web|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/techno/internet/200702/05/01-12208-stupidshowcom-on-joue-a-sonne-decriss.php|title= Stupidshow.com: on joue à sonne-décriss|date=2007-05-02|website=Lapresse.ca|access-date=2019-07-09}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2024/05/17/un-resident-de-saint-leonard-exaspere-du-phenomene-sonne-decrie|title=Un résident de Saint-Léonard exaspéré du phénomène «sonne-décrisse»

|work=Journal de Montréal|access-date=31 October 2024|date=17 May 2024}}

• Knick Knocking (Australia){{cite web|title=Clowning around can end in tears|url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/329607/clowning-around-can-end-in-tears/|last1=Johnstone|first1=Eloise|date=13 September 2012|website=Bendigoadvertiser.com|access-date=27 February 2020}}
• Ding dong dash (Australia){{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
• Knock and run (Australia)

• Tok-tokkie (South Africa){{Cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/tok-tokkie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116132001/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/tok-tokkie|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 November 2018|title=tok-tokkie {{!}} Definition of tok-tokkie in English by Oxford Dictionaries|website=En.oxforddictionaries.com|access-date=2018-11-16}}

• {{lang|es|Rinraje}} (Argentina){{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
• {{lang|es|Rín-Rín-Raja}} (Chile){{Cite web|url=https://diccionariochileno.cl/term/Rin-rin+raja|title=Diccionario Chileno / Definición de: Rin-rin raja|date=2019-01-04|website=Diccionariochileno.cl|access-date=2019-01-04}}
• {{lang|es|Tin-Tin Corre-Corre}} (Colombia){{Cite web|title=Juego Tradicional (Colombia): Tín tín, corre corre. - ppt descargar|url=https://slideplayer.es/slide/3044010/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Slideplayer.es}}
• {{lang|es|Tocar a campainha e sair correndo}} (Brazil)

• {{lang|ko-Latn|Bel-Twi}} ({{lang|ko|벨튀}}, South Korea){{Cite web|url=https://endic.naver.com/userEntry.nhn?sLn=kr&entryId=5ec8558aafa91aeca18822e5f78ed342 |title=Definition of 벨튀 in Korean|date=2019-04-15|website=Endic.naver.com|access-date=2019-04-15}}
• {{lang|ja-Latn|Ping-Pong Dash}} ({{lang|ja|ピンポンダッシュ}}, Japan){{Cite web |url=https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E3%83%94%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9D%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%83%83%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5|title=「ピンポンダッシュ」の意味や使い方 わかりやすく解説|website=Weblio.jp|date=2022-08-03}}

The prankster can face charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace. In England and Wales, 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/10-11/89/section/28 |title=Town Police Clauses Act 1847 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=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.

In Scotland, although the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes universal access rights, known colloquially as the "right to roam" is only permitted where the privacy of others is respected. Such errant behaviour could be regarded as the Scottish common law criminal offence of "malicious mischief" or under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, also known as the Hate Crime Act.{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/knock-knock-run-qualify-hate-28953084 |title=Daily Express Article - Hate Bill |publisher=Scottish Daily Express |access-date=2024-10-26}}

Under the Criminal Code, several offenses could potentially apply to ding-dong-ditch activities:

Mischief (Section 430(1)):{{cite web|url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-430.html |title=Criminal Code Section 430 : Mischief|publisher=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca|access-date=2024-10-31}} Mischief includes actions that aim to damage or interfere with the legitimate enjoyment of property. If ding-dong-ditch activities damage the door or structure of a house, they could be considered as mischief. Additionally, even without direct damage, intentionally disrupting the peaceful enjoyment of a home could be interpreted as a form of mischief.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@North067/the-risks-of-ding-dong-ditch-why-kids-should-reconsider-33f230e4154a |title=The Risks of Ding Dong Ditch: Why Kids Should Reconsider|publisher=Medium.com |access-date=2024-10-31}}{{cite web|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/moose-jaw-police-say-doorbell-pranks-could-lead-to-criminal-charges-1.6953425 |title=Moose Jaw police say doorbell pranks could lead to criminal charges|publisher=CTV NEWS|access-date=2024-10-31}}{{cite web|url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/teens-could-face-charges-after-homes-damaged-in-ding-dong-ditch-pranks-b-c-rcmp-say-1.6967365 |title=Teens could face charges after homes damaged in 'ding dong ditch' pranks, B.C. RCMP say|publisher=CTV|access-date=2024-10-31}}

Trespassing at Night (Section 177):{{cite web|url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-177-20181213.html |title=Criminal Code Section 177 : Trespassing at night|publisher=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca|access-date=2024-10-31}} Although this section mainly covers unauthorized entries onto private property at night, it could apply if someone enters a yard or garden without permission during nighttime to disturb the occupants.

Under civil law, particularly in Quebec, the homeowner could also pursue claims for damages to their property, such as:

Civil Liability: Under Article 1457 of the Civil Code of Quebec, any person who causes harm to another must compensate for the damages. If ding-dong-ditch leads to material damages (such as a broken door, damage to the garden, or to home structures), the victim may seek compensation from the person responsible.{{cite web|url=https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cs/CCQ-1991#se:1457 |title=#1457 Civil Code/Province of Quebec|publisher=legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca|access-date=2024-10-31}}

Neighborhood Disturbance: Civil law can also apply to repetitive nuisances. If the actions cause persistent and unusual disturbances, they could be considered a neighborhood disturbance.{{cite web|url=https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cs/CCQ-1991#se:976 |title= #976 Civil Code/Province of Quebec (fr)|publisher=legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca|access-date=2024-10-31}}

Around 12:30 AM on October 25, 2003, a teen was playing "ding dong ditch" in front of Jay Steven Levin's home in Boca Raton, Florida. Levin armed himself, went outside, and shot the boy in the back as he tried to flee.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/10/28/police-investigating-killing-of-teen-prankster-by-neighbor/28772194007/|title=Police investigating killing of teen prankster by neighbor|publisher=heraldtribune.com|date=2003-10-28|access-date=2024-10-31}} Levin claimed self-defense. This tragedy sparked debates on the proportionality of responses to acts perceived as harmless pranks.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2010/09/06/daily25.html|title=Gun-slinging accountant loses Chapter 7 battle|date=September 8, 2010|access-date=October 31, 2024|work=South Florida Business Journal|first=Paul|last=Brinkmann}}

On 13 June 2011, Michael Bishop, a 56-year-old man, shot at a group of children playing ding dong ditch at his house in Louisville, Kentucky. A 12-year-old boy was hit in the back with a shotgun blast and was taken to Kosair Children's Hospital "with what police call non-life-threatening injuries". The shooter was charged with attempted murder. On 8 December 2015, his final day in office, outgoing Kentucky governor Steve Beshear issued 197 pardons,{{cite web|url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/30689776/gov-beshear-grants-197-pardons-in-last-day-in-office|title=Gov. Beshear's 197 pardons include Louisville man charged with shooting 12-year-old boy in 2011|website=Wdrb.com|date=2015-12-08|access-date=2015-12-09}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} including a pardon for Bishop.{{cite web|url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/30698365/victims-family-outraged-after-man-who-shot-12-year-old-boy-is-pardoned|title=Victim's family 'outraged' after man who shot 12-year-old boy is pardoned|website=Wdrb.com|date=2015-12-08|access-date=2015-12-09}}

A 14-year-old Oklahoma teenager, Cole Peyton, was shot in the back and arm while playing "ding dong ditch" in the early hours of New Year's Day of 2016.{{cite web |last1=Whigham |first1=Nick |title=Cole Peyton shooting, Obama forces through gun control |url=https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/us-teen-shot-in-the-back-after-playing-ding-dong-ditch/news-story/cae8d257c7d2da994bdb26e6d7c7aecd |website=News.com.au |access-date=18 December 2018 }}{{cite web |last1=Blakinger |first1=Keri |title=Oklahoma honor student, 14, shot in the back while playing 'ding dong ditch' - NY Daily News |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/oklahoma-teen-shot-back-playing-harmless-prank-article-1.2483303 |website=Nydailynews.com |access-date=18 December 2018 |date=2 January 2016}}

Dean Taylor, a 63-year-old coach and former San Francisco Police Department officer, was arrested following an incident involving an 11-year-old boy who rang his doorbell in San Rafael, California on 12 February 2021. After two boys rang his door and ran, Taylor chased the boys in a vehicle, cut off one of the youths and emerged from the car. Then he allegedly grabbed one 11-year-old boy by the neck, pushed him to the ground and forced him into his vehicle. He drove the terrified boy around the block, and allegedly told the boy that he would "put a bullet in his head" if the prank happened again. He dropped the boy off near Point San Pedro Road and Loch Lomond Drive, and police were called. Taylor faces felony charges including kidnapping, making criminal threats, false imprisonment, battery and child endangerment.{{cite web|url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/retired-sfpd-inspector-faces-felony-charges-in-marin-county-after-prank-escalates|title=Retired SFPD inspector faces felony charges in Marin County after prank escalates|date=18 February 2021}}

A California man, Anurag Chandra, 42, faced several murder charges for his role in a crash on Temescal Canyon Road on 24 January 2020. A group of six teenage boys drove to a nearby home on Mojeska Summit Road in Corona, about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles, after one of them had been dared. The boy rang the doorbell and returned to the 2002 Prius that they were riding in, and the group took off. Chandra, who lives at the home, chased after them in his 2019 Infiniti Q50. His car rammed into the back of the Prius, causing it to veer off the road and into a tree. Daniel Hawkins, Jacob Ivascu and Drake Ruiz, all 16-year-old passengers, were killed in the crash. The 18-year-old driver and two other boys, ages 13 and 14, were injured but survived.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/us/ding-dong-ditch-prank-crash-deaths.html | title='Doorbell Ditch' Prank Led to Crash That Killed 3 Teens, Officials Say | newspaper=The New York Times | date=25 January 2020 | last1=Ortiz | first1=Aimee }} In 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/16/us/doorbell-prank-california-sentence.html | title=Man Who Crashed Into Teens After Doorbell Prank Gets Life in Prison | newspaper=The New York Times | date=16 July 2023 | last1=Medina | first1=Eduardo }}

In 2023, On Vancouver Island, Owen May took extreme measures to catch teens playing "ding dong ditch" at his home in Courtenay, British Columbia. May, a fisherman, set up a fishing line trap outside his door. One night, a teen got caught in the trap, leading to a confrontation between May, his partner, and the teen. Both parties required medical attention.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9577864/tiktok-door-knock-challenge-video-confrontation/|title=TikTok door-knock challenge turns confrontational as B.C. homeowner confronts youth|date=March 24, 2023|access-date=October 31, 2024|work=Global News|first= Amy|last=Judd}}

In July 2023, in the city of Saguenay, Quebec, a couple pursued teenagers who were playing "ring and run". After being alerted by the youths' screams, the couple, with no prior criminal record, threatened one of the teenagers with a knife and made death threats. They were arrested by the police for armed threats.{{cite news|url=https://www.journaldequebec.com/2023/07/20/saguenay-des-menaces-armees-apres-un--sonne-decrisse|title=Saguenay: des menaces armées après un «sonne-décri**e»|date=July 20, 2023|access-date=October 31, 2024|work=Journal de Quebec|first= Jeremy|last=Bernier}}

On October 2, 2024, Stéphanie Borel, a woman from Longueuil, Quebec, allegedly poured boiling water on a young boy.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10807433/longueuil-boy-burned-woman-aggravated-assault/|title=Quebec woman who allegedly threw boiling water on 10-year-old charged with aggravated assault|date=October 11, 2024|access-date=October 31, 2024|work=Global News|first= Kalina|last=Laframboise}} Two days after the event, she called the authorities, claiming she had acted in response to repeated "ding dong ditch" pranks at her home.{{cite news|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2024/10/31/enfant-ebouillante-a-longueuil-laccusee-aurait-appele-le-911-deux-jours-plus-tard-pour-se-plaindre-de-harcelement|title=Enfant ébouillanté à Longueuil: l'accusée est libérée: "«J’aimerais porter plainte pour harcèlement. C’est le voisinage. J’ai eu une plainte contre moi parce que j’ai lancé de l’eau chaude sur un enfant parce qu’ils n’arrêtaient pas de venir cogner chez moi», entend-on dans l’appel 911 déposé en preuve lors de l’enquête sur remise en liberté de Stéphanie Borel jeudi au palais de justice de Longueuil."|date=October 31, 2024|access-date=October 31, 2024|work=Journal de Montréal|first= Camille|last=Payant}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/woman-charged-boiling-water-child-1.7349867|title=Woman accused of throwing boiling water on 10-year-old boy faces aggravated assault charge "Following the attack, Borel allegedly told the boy's father that she assaulted his son because he had a habit of knocking at her door for the past three years"|date=October 11, 2024|access-date=October 31, 2024|website=Cbc.ca}}

In 2018, the governments of India and Pakistan accused each other's diplomats of ringing the doorbells of the other government senior diplomatic staff at 3am and then running away.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/16/pakistan-recalls-envoy-from-india-harassment-claims-doorbell-ringing|title=Pakistan recalls envoy from India in ding-dong over harassment claims|date=March 16, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2024|work=The Guardian|first=Michael|last=Safi}}

• Mischief Night
• Trick-or-treat

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.ourdialects.uk/maps/prank/ Our Dialects - How do people refer to the prank that involves knocking on someone's door and then running away before they can answer?]

Category:Children's games

Category:Practical jokes