The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (477 page)
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SAINT Swithun's day, if thou be fair, for forty days it will remain; Saint Swithun's day, if thou bring rain, for forty days it will remain
St. Swithun
(or Swithin)
was a bishop of Winchester. He died in 862 and his feast-day is 15 July. The form of the rhyme varies.
1600
Every man out of Humour
I
. iii.
O, here, S. Swithin's the xv day, variable weather, for the most part raine … Why, it should raine fortie daies after, now, more or lesse, it was a rule held afore I was able to hold a plough.
1697
Poor Robin's Almanack
July B2
V
In this month is St. Swithin's day; On which, if that it rain, they say, Full forty days after it will, Or more or less some rain distill.
1846
Proverbs relating to Seasons, & c
. 52
St. Swithin's day, if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain: St. Swithin's day, if thou be fair, For forty days't will rain na mair.
1892
Old Woman's Outlook
169
St. Swithin's promise is by no means infallible, whether for wet or fair weather. In .. Gloucestershire, they prefer a shower on his day, and call it christening the apples; but Hampshire .. hold[s] that—If Swithun's day be fair and clear, It betides a happy year; If Swithun's day be dark with rain, Then will be dear all sorts of grain.
1978
Calender of Country Customs
viii.
Even today innumerable people take note of the weather on St. Swithun's Day, 15 July … St. Swithun's Day, if thou be fair, For forty days it will remain. St. Swithun's Day, if thou bring rain, For forty days it will remain.
weather lore
(or Swithin)
was a bishop of Winchester. He died in 862 and his feast-day is 15 July. The form of the rhyme varies.
1600Every man out of Humour
I
. iii.
O, here, S. Swithin's the xv day, variable weather, for the most part raine … Why, it should raine fortie daies after, now, more or lesse, it was a rule held afore I was able to hold a plough.
1697
Poor Robin's Almanack
July B2
V
In this month is St. Swithin's day; On which, if that it rain, they say, Full forty days after it will, Or more or less some rain distill.
1846
Proverbs relating to Seasons, & c
. 52
St. Swithin's day, if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain: St. Swithin's day, if thou be fair, For forty days't will rain na mair.
1892
Old Woman's Outlook
169
St. Swithin's promise is by no means infallible, whether for wet or fair weather. In .. Gloucestershire, they prefer a shower on his day, and call it christening the apples; but Hampshire .. hold[s] that—If Swithun's day be fair and clear, It betides a happy year; If Swithun's day be dark with rain, Then will be dear all sorts of grain.
1978
Calender of Country Customs
viii.
Even today innumerable people take note of the weather on St. Swithun's Day, 15 July … St. Swithun's Day, if thou be fair, For forty days it will remain. St. Swithun's Day, if thou bring rain, For forty days it will remain.
weather lore
On SAINT Thomas the Divine kill all turkeys, geese, and swine
.
.
The feast-day of St. Thomas the Apostle has been traditionally celebrated on 21 December in the West.
1742
Agreeable Companion
59
Thomas Divine, Brewing and Baking, and Killing of Swine.
1846
Proverbs relating to Seasons, & c
. 64
The day of St. Thomas, the blessed divine, Is good for brewing, baking, and killing fat swine.
1979
News from English Countryside
164
This couplet reminded farmers of the day on which they should make their last slaughters for the Christmas table. On St. Thomas the Divine Kill all turkeys, geese and swine.
calendar lore
1742Agreeable Companion
59
Thomas Divine, Brewing and Baking, and Killing of Swine.
1846
Proverbs relating to Seasons, & c
. 64
The day of St. Thomas, the blessed divine, Is good for brewing, baking, and killing fat swine.
1979
News from English Countryside
164
This couplet reminded farmers of the day on which they should make their last slaughters for the Christmas table. On St. Thomas the Divine Kill all turkeys, geese and swine.
calendar loresaint
Help you to SALT, help you to sorrow
1666Italian Proverbs
245
At table, one ought not to present any one, either salt, or the head of any creature.
1872
Norfolk Garland
i.
The spilling of salt is very ominous, and the proverb is well known: Help me to salt, Help me to sorrow.
1945
Lark Rise
xxxvi.
No one would at table spoon salt on to another person's plate, for ‘Help you to salt, help you to sorrow.’
1969
Reuben's Corner
xiv.
There was no end to the prohibitions we learned as youngsters … Never help anyone to salt: Help you to salt, help you to sorrow.
misfortune;
superstition
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