The bumps

The bumps is a birthday ritual at schools in the United Kingdom, usually performed on the school field, playground, or other open space. The birthday child is surrounded by classmates, and after a chorus of "Happy Birthday to You", four other children seize the child's arms and legs. Then the child is thrown up into the air and back down again as many times as their age in years (although the other children never let go), while the crowd shouts the count as the birthday child reaches the zenith. Often, at the end, the crowd shouts "And one for luck!" and the other children let go and catch again on the last throw.

The "Birthday bumps" are also common in Canada and India, pretty much the same version of the ritual with some creative alterations at times. The tradition continues, especially in colleges, where 'Bumps' may be given for anything ranging from a Birthday to acing a test or even speaking a silly joke.

Another variation is "Engagement bumps" given to the bride following the exchange of rings.

Another variation, common in Scotland, is called "the dumps". It is similar to "the bumps", but after the chorus of Happy Birthday, the child is thumped on the back several times, once for each year of their life, again typically with "one for luck!".

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