Contrary to popular belief, Sadie Hawkins' Day is not originally associated with the Leap Year. It began in Li'l Abner comic strip, introduced in November, 1937 - and, yes, it was about the girl asking the boy to marry him (well, the girl chased all the eligible bachelors and whomever she caught would be required to marry her). Now, Sadie Hawkins' Day is celebrated in February - mostly by school's putting on Sadie Hawkins' dances where the girls ask the boys!
There is, however, a long standing tradition of the women proposing marriage only on Leap Years in the British Isles. Many a lore suggests that St. Bridget began the tradition when she 'proposed' to St. Patrick!
On the other side of the coin, Greeks believe the year to be very unlucky for marriages.
The Scots also have an 'unlucky' element believing that those born on Feb. 29th are ill-fated.
And according to English Law, Feb. 29th was ignored and had no legal status - all crimes committed on that day were no crimes at all!
You all know the poem? The one that taught me how many days were in each month - and the one I still rhyme off if I need to know quickly and there's no calendar for me to flip through? Here's how I always said it:
30 days has September,See how it doesn't rhyme? Here's the original:
April, June and November.
All the rest have 31 -
Except February which has 28,
29 in a Leap Year
And I found this great site that has 89 versions of the Month Poem - some of them are hysterical: http://leapyearday.com/content/days-month-poem30 days hath September
April, June, and November
Excepting February
When comes the time
Every Leap Year gives it twenty-nine
Any Leap Year babies out there? Do you have any other Leap Year myths or traditions to pass on? Did you say the Month Poem when you were young to remember how many days were in each month? Did you know you can use your knuckles to figure out how many days are in each month? Go to this Howcast video (short) to check it out!
LOL, great look at Leap Year, Janet. And yeah, that poem always fell apart for me, so I just used your first three lines and tacked on 'except February'. Never used the knuckles thing but someone showed it to me when I was in college. I thought it was pretty nifty.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Leap Day tomorrow. =o)
Thanks, B.E. - extra day just means extra work (too bad those in power couldn't declare Leap Year Day to be a stat holiday - every 4 years, not too much to ask, eh?)!
Delete*snort* I still say the month poem to figure out the length of months. And you're right, the leap year addendum kind of throws off the meter of the poem. I like the second version much better, plus it has an olde time feel to it. Not sure I'll bother to memorize it though, just one more thing to remember.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the knuckles trick, I'll go look at that now. Anything to help the aging grey cells, LOL!
Just tried the knuckle trick - brilliant!
DeleteI really like the feel/rhythm of the second version, too, Lu - and that olde world quality! But, like you, I probably won't memorize it...just keep spewing the one I usually mumble when I'm trying to remember how many days in which month.
DeleteAnd the knuckle trick is brilliant - I remember my friend Pat trying to teach me (obviously didn't stay with me) years ago. Fun stuff - wonder who figured that out?
Did you know that the months are divided by "long" and "short" (28/30 days vs. 31 days) and mostly run long, short, long, short. However, there are seven months with 31 days and only five short months. So twice a year, there are back-to-back long months--July and August, December and January.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's my totally useless trivia for the day. ;-)
I did not know that - that's a great way to remember (hmm, as long as I can remember the July/Aug. and Jan/Dec combo ;)
DeleteThanks for adding to our "Remember the Months' Lengths" discussion, Silver!
Poems and papers keep me straight
ReplyDeletebut the months I can not equate
Calendars just leave me lost
The damn things aren't worth the cost
The version I learned is: 30 days hath September, April June and November
All the rest have 31
'Cept February, which has 28
But one in four
Always has one day more
I have to say the poem regularly too, except lately, I need a hint as which month it is before I recite to find out what the day might be.
Tomorrow evening, our reading of the SRW book will be held at the library. Carrie will read her story and I am going to edit mine again and read it, even though it didn't make it to the book. It is brilliant and the world, okay one or two people, need to hear it!
My joke for this week or whenever:
Siamese twins named John and Jim walk into a bar and order beer. They tell the bartender they are leaving for their ninth trip to England the next day. The bartender comments that they must really love England. "No" they say, "We hate it, but it's the only time Jim gets to drive".
Who figured out the knuckle thing is probably the same guy who can demonstrate that everyone has 11 fingers by counting knuckles and the space between. Don't ask....
Silver - who do you think will win the Republican nomination?
Hey, Connie - did you make up the first poem? I like that!
DeleteGood luck with the reading - tell me how it goes (I'll be thinking of you) - and good for you for reading, yes, people need to hear it :)
Great joke!
Yes, I made up the first poem. Needs a little work before I write 30 more and take my place among the greats. Maybe.
ReplyDeletetake care and keep those knuckles nimble.
Great poem, Connie. And will do :)
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