Wed, Dec 11, 4:03 PM CST

Renderosity Forums / Writers



Welcome to the Writers Forum

Forum Moderators: wheatpenny, Wolfenshire

Writers F.A.Q (Last Updated: 2024 Nov 29 6:28 am)



Writers Gallery

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." ---Anton Chekhov


Subject: February 29th...Myth and memory


dialyn ( ) posted Thu, 26 February 2004 at 12:53 PM · edited Wed, 04 December 2024 at 3:10 AM

Leap Day, February 29 -- also known as Sadie Hawkins day -- is traditionally a woman's day to ask a man out or even propose marriage. This custom reportedly began in Ireland in the 5th century when St. Bridget convinced St. Patrick to allow one special day that a woman could propose. If the man refused, he was to be fined (in one version, the man was supposed to provide an item of silk clothing to the woman he rejected). Incidentally, Bridget proposed to Patrick and he said, "no."

One year, four of us took a fellow out to dinner and we all proposed to him, much to the amusement of the waiter at our table (the fellow told the waiter we were all leaving for Utah after the proposal). He turned us all down (because he didn't want to make anyone of us unhappy with his choice), and then gave each of us a gift of clothing as his fine....Barbie doll clothing!!!

I think I still have mine.

:)


tjames ( ) posted Sat, 28 February 2004 at 7:44 AM

What would you have done if he said yes? The way things are going polygamy's going to be legal if people in SF and Mass are sucessful. I myself had considered polygamy. It was the thought of having four mothers-in-law that killed the fantasy.


dialyn ( ) posted Sat, 28 February 2004 at 9:10 AM

We were pretty safe with this guy. There is a little irony in the story. Our chaperon for the event was a married woman, and she is the one he's ended up with (she's since divorced from her original husband). You just never know where life will take people.


pakled ( ) posted Sat, 28 February 2004 at 11:00 AM

I thought it was just a dress..but that's from an article in the paper..silk in the 5th Century was way more expensive to get than it is now..;) even 2 centuries later, Charlemange was winning converts to Christianity with the offer of a linen shirt (there was some cheating, and some people wound up with several each as a result of 'serial conversions'..;)

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)


ToolmakerSteve ( ) posted Sat, 27 March 2004 at 12:30 AM

Dialyn, got any plans for dinner on Feb. 29, 2008? ;-D


Privacy Notice

This site uses cookies to deliver the best experience. Our own cookies make user accounts and other features possible. Third-party cookies are used to display relevant ads and to analyze how Renderosity is used. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Terms of Service, including our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy.