I gather that nearly everyone on the Continent knows the Knuckles. I learned about it when I saw a German woman do it. But Americans don’t know it because we have that dam-ned jingle. I don’t know about the British. Anyone?
“Thirty days after September, April, June and November. February has twenty-eight alone;All the rest have thirty-one,Excepting leap year: That’s the timeWhen February’s days are twenty-nine.”
This is from the best-selling Mother Goose book in history, by the great illustrator, Blanche Fisher Wright (1992). The Original Mother Goose. Philadelphia, PA: Running Press. (Original work published 1916 as The Real Mother Goose, published by Rand McNally)
On one of their tv shows, where Costello was tossed in the clink for a month…. Abbott said “the poet said, ‘stone walls do not a prison make nor iron bars a cage’.” Costello said “and the judge said ‘thirty days hath September, April, June, and Lou Costello’.”
My grandfather taught me the jingle (which I always have difficulty in remembering) and my mother taught me the knuckles. Now-a-days, I just remember which month has how many days, but if pressed, I revert to knuckle counting.
The rhyme never worked for me. Couldn’t get past “half September” and the fact that it was not in order starting with January. I was taught the nickel method by one of my classmates in Highschool. At least I think it was that late in my schooling. But it was also someone I had been going to school with off and on since 3rd grade, and I have clearly shown that I have issues with memory. Thus the inability to remember the rhyme.
No knuckles here. Just the whole jingle, which few seem to know: Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November; After February’s done, all the rest have thirty-one.
Tyge over 1 year ago
It’s a miracle, I tell you… a miracle!
pschearer Premium Member over 1 year ago
I gather that nearly everyone on the Continent knows the Knuckles. I learned about it when I saw a German woman do it. But Americans don’t know it because we have that dam-ned jingle. I don’t know about the British. Anyone?
maureenmck Premium Member over 1 year ago
Arlo’s calendar has 30 days for February?
Kenneth Berkun Premium Member over 1 year ago
I can never remember the jingle, I’ve used the knuckle thing forever.
Robin Harwood over 1 year ago
I learned to use knuckles in primary school in Australia. Still use them. Use them for the days of the months, too.
Sanspareil over 1 year ago
The British are Koooool and don’t need no bloody jingle!
L'Europeo Premium Member over 1 year ago
When you can snatch the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave.
w8d4it Premium Member over 1 year ago
Thirty days hath September April June and November Thirty one have all the rest Except February and only February which has 28
Seems a lot simpler than knuckles
Olddog1 over 1 year ago
Learned the knuckle thing in late 50s.
AnneFackler over 1 year ago
I’m a knucklehead. Never heard this before. It’s cute
scottaswihart over 1 year ago
You mean “EXCLUDING”, yes?
mywifeslover over 1 year ago
I learned the knuckle bit but only on one hand. We reversed course for July and August on the same knuckle.
JessieRandySmithJr. over 1 year ago
Never heard of the knuckle thing myself, we had the 30 days jingle thing here in my part of the Southern U.S.
Ignatz Premium Member over 1 year ago
Yes, we know the knuckle thing, but “30 days has September” works just as well without awkward hand games.
nosirrom over 1 year ago
Did Julius and Augustus know this?
ddjg over 1 year ago
“Thirty days after September, April, June and November. February has twenty-eight alone;All the rest have thirty-one,Excepting leap year: That’s the timeWhen February’s days are twenty-nine.”
This is from the best-selling Mother Goose book in history, by the great illustrator, Blanche Fisher Wright (1992). The Original Mother Goose. Philadelphia, PA: Running Press. (Original work published 1916 as The Real Mother Goose, published by Rand McNally)
SeanT over 1 year ago
30 days has September, all the rest I can’t remember
Hamady Sack Premium Member over 1 year ago
Thanks.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 1 year ago
I learned to look at a calendar. Guess that is boring.
Forest Dweller 54 over 1 year ago
I didn’t know that, you learn something new each day.
cabalonrye over 1 year ago
You don’t need to switch hand, you hop on the same knuckle (July/August) then go backward
[Traveler] Premium Member over 1 year ago
I thought Arlo was mansplaining, that everyone knew that. Then I read the responses to pschearer’s comment.
timinwsac Premium Member over 1 year ago
Now Arlo can explain why one parks in the driveway and drives through the parkway.
Skeptical Meg over 1 year ago
On one of their tv shows, where Costello was tossed in the clink for a month…. Abbott said “the poet said, ‘stone walls do not a prison make nor iron bars a cage’.” Costello said “and the judge said ‘thirty days hath September, April, June, and Lou Costello’.”
maxiesmom2 Premium Member over 1 year ago
This is a thing?? I’ll be 60 this year and have never heard that one before. Wow.
Just-me over 1 year ago
My grandfather taught me the jingle (which I always have difficulty in remembering) and my mother taught me the knuckles. Now-a-days, I just remember which month has how many days, but if pressed, I revert to knuckle counting.
Thanksfortheinfo2000 over 1 year ago
And now you know the real reason we switched to the year starting in January…
mrsdonaldson over 1 year ago
I just learned that a few years ago.
belgarathmth over 1 year ago
Was that supposed to say ’…excluding February…"?
formathe over 1 year ago
Know both. Use neither. Do not care how many days in a month. Very adept at reading a calendar. Retired. Canadian.
Hydrohead over 1 year ago
The rhyme never worked for me. Couldn’t get past “half September” and the fact that it was not in order starting with January. I was taught the nickel method by one of my classmates in Highschool. At least I think it was that late in my schooling. But it was also someone I had been going to school with off and on since 3rd grade, and I have clearly shown that I have issues with memory. Thus the inability to remember the rhyme.
j_e_richards over 1 year ago
I always amaze my training classes with this one..
joedon2007 over 1 year ago
now that arlo has nothing left to tell her – is he leaving?
Emperor Rick over 1 year ago
Grasshopper.
jr1234 over 1 year ago
I am surpised Janis not know that.
larryzolcienski over 1 year ago
77 years old and this is the first I have heard of this. An old dog learning a new trick! Thanks.
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 1 year ago
Poor Janis………
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member over 1 year ago
If you just learn the poem, you can keep your hands in your pockets
Mermaid515 over 1 year ago
30 days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31 except February which is missing some.
MaybeImAmazed over 1 year ago
“Including February.” Oh, Arlo.
Steverino Premium Member over 1 year ago
YAY Julie and Pope Gregory.
donwestonmysteries over 1 year ago
So every other month has 31 days. Sorry Arlo, February doesn’t have 30.
sobrown51 over 1 year ago
So according to Arlo, February has 30 days?
James Lindley Premium Member over 1 year ago
Mom taught me that over 60 years ago.
Dana Kuhar Premium Member over 1 year ago
The middle of the year is easy to remember if your name is JASON — July August September October November
Ginny Premium Member over 1 year ago
Funny. I never learned any jingles or knuckles, just remember the info.
eladee AKA Wally over 1 year ago
February doesn’t have 30 days. It only has 28 or 29 if it is a Leap Year.
royq27 over 1 year ago
I leaned this in 2nd grade. And never learned anything after that…
raybarb44 over 1 year ago
Nice to know….
crazeekatlady over 1 year ago
I was taught to start with the index finger, go up and down starting with January. Get to the pinkie and turn around for August.
Bradley Walker over 1 year ago
Q. What month has 28 days?
A. They all do.
Bradley Walker over 1 year ago
POGO: Let’s see, what day is today? Thirty days hath November…
CHURCHY: Did Pogo say NO vember hath 30 days?
OWL: Well, hardly any vembers — some vembers got only a handful.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace over 1 year ago
I learned it from Paul Kenneth Godwin in the ninth grade although you don’t have to switch fists, just go back to the beginning.
bjensen6 over 1 year ago
I just use one hand. When you get to July count it again as August and work your way back.
char819 over 1 year ago
30 days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31 except February is what we were taught.
kodipepper over 1 year ago
I’ve never heard that.
Sandra Anderson Premium Member over 1 year ago
No knuckles here. Just the whole jingle, which few seem to know: Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November; After February’s done, all the rest have thirty-one.
rfeinberg over 1 year ago
This makes Janis sound like an idiot, if she doesn’t know that February never has 30 days.