English Folklore: leap year

The dominant belief about leap year is that it is the only time that a woman many propose marriage to a man, rather than what was considered to be the natural order of things: the other way round. This was often called ‘The Ladies' Privilege’. At the time of writing, it is probably true to say that younger English people would not be aware of the belief if the media did not run features on the subject every fourth February.

In previous times, when relationships between the sexes were more rigid and formal, there were a number of subsidiary beliefs surrounding the Ladies’ Privilege. Some said that it was only on Leap Year day, that is 29 February, that it was valid, while others believed that a man proposed to in this way could not refuse, except on substantial payment—a silk gown, or £ 100, and so on.

Indeed, it was widely reported (erroneously) that there had been a Scottish Act of Parliament in the 13th century making this legally binding (see N&Q 7s:10 (1890), 188), or that it had passed into English Common Law (Courtship, Love and Matrimony (1606), quoted in N&Q 4s:8 (1871), 505).

One story about the origin of the Ladies’ Privilege is set in Ireland: St Bridget met St Patrick one day and complained that women did not have the right to propose. He offered the opportunity once in every seven years, but she bargained him down to one in four (quoted in Word-Lore 3 (1928), 51-2).

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dear came over last night to help me buy snoopi's food and bathe him and celebrate his 3mths birthday lol.
In the end we managed to lug a 15kg pack with dad's help cause it will be much more economical.
snoopi is really very naughty and mischeivious.. need to instill more discipline in him.. tsk tsk.
dear being the one who was against physical punishment also cannot stand him now.
we shall trial and error on how to better discipline him.

and... NATAS fair is coming ... and we considering a short getaway~ hee
so now to start my "travel fund"

and dear had a prep talk with me about my educational choices.. hmm shall consider more..
WHAT do i WANT. and AIM to do in the future plus whether i WILL be Using the skills and not so on HOW to study..