CHANT—KING For some ridiculous reason, to which, however, I’ve no desire to be disloyal, Some person in authority, I don’t know who, very likely theAstronomer Royal, Has decided that, although for such a beastly month as February, twenty-eight days as a rule are plenty, One year in every four his days shall be reckoned as nine and-twenty . . . . — W. S. Gilbert
There is actual greenery in Arlo’s world. I won’t see that for another two months at least where I live! I still have a cook up on the ole bar-b whenever the temp gets close to freezing.
Actually, the leap day was in the Julian calendar as well. It was made regular so that priests couldn’t manipulate what years had them depending on which political party was in power that year.
What’s interesting is that the original idea was not an extra day, it was the same day done over again.
Bissextus:
This odd day was inserted after the sixth day before the kalends of March, i.e., after the 24th of February, and was not counted as an addition to the year, but as a sort of appendix. Hence the sixth of the kalends of March was called bissextus, or double sixth, which root is still retained in our word bissextile, though the day is now added at the end of February.— E. S. Burns, “History of Chronology,” The Popular Science Monthly, April, 1881
OriginBissextus comes from the Latin term bissextus diēs meaning “intercalary day.” It was so called because the 6th day before the Calends of March (February 24th) appeared twice every leap year.
The Egyptians were the first to come up with the idea of adding a leap day once every four years to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year. Later, the Romans adopted this solution for their calendar, and they became the first to designate February 29 as the leap day.
Partyalldatyme over 8 years ago
July 32nd, anyone?
Varnes over 8 years ago
Um, the kind that would grill in it….?
LuvThemPluggers over 8 years ago
Shoulda been here in So Calif where the temp was in the 80’s today.
George Alexander over 8 years ago
The folks in the southern hemisphere like it just as it is, plus having New Year’s in the summer.
Steven Wright over 8 years ago
Really ought to make every month 30 days and just scatter the extra ones throughout the year for a bunch of free days.
linsonl over 8 years ago
Here in the Atlanta area, I am wearing shorts and a tee shirt. If this is global warming, I like it!
Grace Premium Member over 8 years ago
It’s the day we get on Election year to make up for all the political stuff we put up with….
joedon2007 over 8 years ago
An extra day to listen to all those hot air politicians – yuk
imdaboss over 8 years ago
The same idiot that brought us Daylight Savings Time.
davecat over 8 years ago
CHANT—KING For some ridiculous reason, to which, however, I’ve no desire to be disloyal, Some person in authority, I don’t know who, very likely theAstronomer Royal, Has decided that, although for such a beastly month as February, twenty-eight days as a rule are plenty, One year in every four his days shall be reckoned as nine and-twenty . . . . — W. S. Gilbert
redstart over 8 years ago
As I sit here with freezing rain pelting down, I only wish I could be out BBQing
Grace Premium Member over 8 years ago
It will be 53 degrees here in New Hampshire today. We were out yesterday with just long sleeve shirts on grilling on the deck… bizarre winter..
nosirrom over 8 years ago
That’s Papal idiot, Arlo. Please show some respect.
Plods with ...™ over 8 years ago
Augustus. Having a month named after him wasn’t enough.
hippogriff over 8 years ago
George AlexanderTo say nothing of the traditional Boxing Day picnic.
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
There is actual greenery in Arlo’s world. I won’t see that for another two months at least where I live! I still have a cook up on the ole bar-b whenever the temp gets close to freezing.
locake over 8 years ago
If today was March 1st the weather would still be exactly the same as it is today.
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
Damn bureaucrats,they should ship them all to Thunderbay for the polar bears to consume!
JoePhan over 8 years ago
Actually, the leap day was in the Julian calendar as well. It was made regular so that priests couldn’t manipulate what years had them depending on which political party was in power that year.
Grace Premium Member over 8 years ago
@Dr Fogg, middle of the state, not comfortable saying more, sorry… but hey we picked a great place to live ;)
alviebird over 8 years ago
What’s interesting is that the original idea was not an extra day, it was the same day done over again.
Bissextus:
This odd day was inserted after the sixth day before the kalends of March, i.e., after the 24th of February, and was not counted as an addition to the year, but as a sort of appendix. Hence the sixth of the kalends of March was called bissextus, or double sixth, which root is still retained in our word bissextile, though the day is now added at the end of February.— E. S. Burns, “History of Chronology,” The Popular Science Monthly, April, 1881
OriginBissextus comes from the Latin term bissextus diēs meaning “intercalary day.” It was so called because the 6th day before the Calends of March (February 24th) appeared twice every leap year.
alviebird over 8 years ago
Can you say “Groundhog Day”?
redwinger2015 over 8 years ago
The Egyptians were the first to come up with the idea of adding a leap day once every four years to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year. Later, the Romans adopted this solution for their calendar, and they became the first to designate February 29 as the leap day.
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/leapyear2.html