HEAVEN KNOWS WE CAN ALL USE THE LUCK OF THE IRISH/ CAN WE?

Remember how important it was when we were young to wear to some green on St. Patrick's Day because if you didn't, you were sure to get pinched?  Some folks pinched really hard. I really never had any green in my wardrobe. Now that I think of it my Mom didn't either. Interesting.

Anyhow this pinching custom reminded me of those colored undies sets. Each day of the week was monogramed on a different pair of panties. I wonder if they still make those... Hmmm? Anyhow for whatever reason the Thursday panty was always the color 'green.'  Well, guess what? Yeah, today's Thursday and if it was in the old days I would be safe wearing my Thursday green undies and if somebody pinched me, I could pinch them back. Is that really being safe/ vindictive? Who made up this custom?

I decided to Google it and here are some responses you pick your favorite:

WikiAnswers users share their ideas on the origin:

• Many years ago, playful Irish children began the tradition of pinching people who forgot to wear green on St. Patrick's Day and the tradition is still practiced today. 
• You get pinched because you're a nonconformist.
• Pinching gives you a bruise so you can have some green on you.
• The act of pinching on St. Patrick's day began in America with Irish settlers who tried to get their kids to behave by telling them that fairies would come pinch them 

 Christian Science Monitor :

Pinching began in this country in the 1700's. It was believed the wearing of green made you invisible to the mischievous leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch you if you were not wearing green. People began pinching those without the color green to remind them of the leprechauns who would pinch them for being green abstainers. 

Well,  whichever reason you choose, there's a guy in the End of the Rainbow Valley who's been decked out for a while awaiting this holiday.  No matter what, he's not getting pinched.

Patty, 

the Sentry Soldier, 

won't have to worry about anybody pinching him. 

Notice his tie's  reversible...

May you have a very Happy St. Paddy's Day as you keep this song on your minds today :When Irish Eyes are Smiling with Bing Crosby (1939)