Indeed, the traditional rhyme, ’30 days hath September’ is an age-old mnemonic that resonates. We are journeying through the ‘ber months, with October patiently waiting backstage, apprehensive about the uncertainties of tomorrow. As it assumes its role from September, it bravely steps into the spotlight for the length of 31 days, ending with the festival of Halloween. This seamless transition extends to splendid November, in this enduring relay race that marches on till January, the finishing line undeterred by speed.
“Delightful November,” did I hear you question my fond depiction of this cherished month, acknowledged for its ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness?’ Indeed, Keats may have painted an image of autumn, but doesn’t November fall within this season too? Considering the Irish climate, nowadays we only distinguish between two seasons comprising of the rainy and the even rainier one.
November, incidentally, is the month I was born. Allow me to clarify, I am positioned on the superior side of November under the star sign Sagittarius, notorious for being lively, cheerful and recklessly carefree, unlike their Scorpio counterparts. Sagittarians have no venom.
Where were we? Ah yes, those 30 days. Akin to November. Quite possibly, the poem should be adjusted to ’30 days hath November, April, June and September. The rest consist of 31, with the exception of February which has 28, however during a leap year, which occurs quadrennially, February gains an additional day.’ Doesn’t that seem better, with the months arranged from the most significant, to the humble February?
Let’s make this fact absolutely clear, even though February consists of fewer days, it is in no way less valuable than the other months. It might lack in specific areas but is still a worthy contender. As Randy Newman beautifully serenaded, ‘short people are just the same as you or I,’ this sentiment could equally apply to February as much as it applies to humans.
Just because February does not meet the 30-31 day standard, even in a leap year, doesn’t strip it of any privileges.
Where did this linguistic journey begin? Ah yes, with the ’30 days hath September’ ditty, thought to have originated during the early 15th century. Written in Old English, it translated to ‘Thirty days hath November, April, June, and September, of 28 is but one, all the rest 30 and one’. Bear in mind the precise order, too.
The term ‘Days’, a plural of Old English ‘dæg’, roughly translates to ‘when the sun is above the horizon.’