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 by nachista |
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 by J. Peterman |
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 by Peter Lake |
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February 29, 2008
Albert Einstein was onto something when he said (we're paraphrasing here) that time is much more complicated than we think - and probably an illusion. But it's still possible to separate fact from fiction about the illusion of February 29, often referred to as "leap day."
Fact: The ancient Romans, who had a certain gift for kinkiness, called leap year Annus bissextile. But they tempered raunchiness with rationality: instead of adding an extra day to the calendar, they chose to simply have two Feb. 24ths every four years. For good or ill, depending on your particular tastes, the name Annus bissextile is both boring and logical in Latin.
Fiction: Feb. 29 is Sadie Hawkins Day. It's not. It is, however, a day in which it's acceptable for women to propose marriage to men. Thanks for this breakthrough typically go to St. Bridget, who, back in the fourth century, convinced St. Patrick that this would be a good tradition. He agreed, but rejected her marriage proposal. The "real" Sadie Hawkins day, a Li'l Abner invention, is celebrated in mid-November.
Fact: You can make any day a holiday with the Leap Year Cocktail, invented by the head bartender at London's Savoy Hotel for the Feb. 29 parties hosted there in 1928.
Fiction: Leap Day is a holiday. It's not, and it annoys at least some who've been born on Feb. 29, who can't understand why calendars which list even the most trivial of holidays won't note that Feb. 29 is Leap Day.
Fact: Anthony, Texas, and Anthony, New Mexico, one city straddling the state border, is the "Leap Year Capitol of the World." This year it hosts the Sixth World Wide Leap Year Festival. It's a celebration for all leap year babies and couples with a Feb. 29 anniversary. The schedule includes a parade, a carnival, a golf tournament, and a casino outing. The parade marshal: Josephine Concho Abeita, a New Mexico native who celebrates her 25th birthday today. She was born in 1908.
Fiction: Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance." The plot of the comic opera, which opened in New York on Dec. 31, 1879, revolves around a boy apprenticed to pirates until his 21st birthday. The catch: His birthday is Feb. 29, and the pirates, always known as being sticklers for accuracy, insist that he won't be free until the passing of 21 Feb. 29ths.
Fact: Although nobody knows for sure, many folklore experts agree that the term "Leap Day" probably came about because until just a few hundred years ago, Feb. 29 wasn't considered a real day. No legally binding business was recorded or conducted. It didn't count -it was "leapt" over.
Fiction: Everyone agrees that despite a bit of messiness, adding Feb. 29 to our calendar every four years is the best way to go - in other words, no need to adopt metric time, or change the current system in any other way.
But we think that Feb. 29 should, indeed, be leaped over, as it was centuries ago. Think about it - we could call it do-over day, and make a day that doesn't count. Anything that doesn't hurt others goes.
On the wagon? Jump off briefly, and back on again March 1. On a diet? Have some extra pie, or ice cream - whatever you'd like. Then, on March 1, it's back to the celery sticks and there are no regrets.
As for me, I'd like, for the first time in 15 years or more, to simply lie about on the couch and watch some old Westerns without a twinge of guilt.
What would you do with a do-over day?
Share the Eye:
Leap Year 101 Scienceworld Take a look at an interesting article we found.
Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies Leapzine Take a look at an interesting article we found.
How the World Makes Up for Lost Time National Geographic News Take a look at an interesting article we found.
The Need for Leap Years Merlyn Take a look at an interesting article we found.
still thinking about today...
How about a hike in the Red River Gorge with my beloved catahoula, Scarlet. A tramp through the river and onward to Auxier Ridge. After the hike back down, I would make a cameo at World Famous Miguel's Pizza...