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.

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