LEAP DAY LEGENDS

Leap Day comes with its own set of superstitions and traditions:
– The Irish call Leap Day “Bachelor’s Day” or “Ladies Privilege.” The tradition gave women the option to propose marriage on February 29. The legend is that in the 5th century St. Bridget appealed to St. Patrick to allow the babes of Ireland to ask for a man’s hand in marriage once a year. The pair settled on once every four years on Leap Day.
– In 1288, Scottish law granted women the right to propose during Leap Years. If a man rejected a woman’s marriage proposal on February 29, he had to pay her a pound for pain and suffering. In Denmark, the price for “no” is twelve pairs of gloves to cover the unwed ring finger of the dejected woman throughout the year ahead. In Finland, if a bachelor refuses a proposal on February 29th he owes the woman enough fabric to make a skirt.
– Also in Scotland, superstition holds that a Leap Day romance will only prove successful if the woman is wearing a red petticoat. Since no one wears a petticoat anymore, the woman should be wearing red underwear.
– In Taiwan, superstition states that parents are more likely to pass away during a Leap Year. Daughters would traditionally return home on or around Leap Day to prepare pig trotter noodles for their parents. The dish is believed to support health, wealth, and survival.
* So what we’ve learned today is, Leap Day is pretty lame. Someone needs to step their game up. I can’t believe Hallmark isn’t all over this.
* You’ve got four years to come up with something. Get at it.
* You can tell Leap Day to take a flying leap.