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PRINTAre you Bissextile?
It only happens every four years but here is a question that I do get from time to time:What does the word “bissextile” mean? My Webster’s dictionary and Merriam-Webster online does not have it listed. Thank you for your response. Gary.
I was doing a radio interview a few years ago with a “elder DJ” who was a real comic. Before going to a commercial break, he said I’ll get you with this next question. So, when we came back he said so why are you bisexual? I had a magnifying glass in my bag and grabbed it quickly. I made Bud reread the front of the Farmers’ Almanac. Upon closer scrutiny, he changed his question to “why are you bissextile”?
Bissextile is listed on the front of the Farmers’ Almanac and refers to it being a Leap Year. The Webster Dictionary defines it as “containing or noting the extra day of leap year”. From Latin it comes from bi(s)sextil(is) (annus) – leap year. There is also a word bissextus which by definition is February 29th, the extra day added to the Julian Calendar every fourth year except those years evenly divisible by 400.
2008 is that Year to take a Leap and we enjoy an additional day – February 29th.
Technorati Tags: leap year, 2008, bissextile, farmers almanac , leap day
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. Read his full biography here.Free Weekly eNewsletter
Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather
February 8th - February 11th
- Northeast U.S.
Wet snow mixed with rain Mid-Atlantic north through New England; slushy accumulations of 4+" possible.
- Midwest/Great Lakes U.S.
Accumulating snows Kentucky, Ohio, then clearing. Fair elsewhere.
- Southeast U.S.
Wet snow Tennessee, western North Carolina; wintry mix northern Mississippi, Alabama. Elsewhere, rain, then clearing.
- North Central U.S.
Drier, much colder.
- South Central U.S.
Snow parts of Arkansas, then clearing, cold. Clear, much colder elsewhere.
- Northwest U.S.
Drier, but colder.
- Southwest U.S.
Drier, but noticeably colder.
• View entire Long Range Weather Forecast »
• Farmers' Almanac 2011-12 Winter Outlook »
• View the Almanac Daily Planner »
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.