In a word

What a peculiar little month this is. Shortchanged annually when it comes to the number of its days, this minimalist fact is highlighted every four years to add to its humiliation. As though the powers-that-be decide to allow it just one more day, in a burst of wanton generosity. Out of pity. Or for good behaviour. It will happen next year.

One of my own family married on February 29th. Typical. It has meant confusion as to when the anniversary should be celebrated for every three out of four years since that august day. Albeit February. Their actual anniversaries, so to speak, still number in single figures despite an army of grandchildren.

Not that he, his wife, their children, or grandchildren are in any way bothered. Some are born that way. A bit like greatness. (It does not apply).

February, however, has its unique attractions for those who appreciate order. It is the only month that can have four full seven-day weeks, as it has this year. Such sweet symmetry.

It gets better. Once every six years and twice every 11 years, consecutively, it will have four seven-day weeks (bear with me in this) where February 1st is a Monday and the 28th is a Sunday. It happened in 2010. Again 11 years before in 1999, then six more years before that in 1993, 11 years before it in 1982, again 11 years before in 1971, and six years before that in 1965. Etc. QED.Thrilling, isn’t it?

Or totally confused? Not to worry. As with so many of the great mysteries of life, it remains so, regardless of whether we understand it or not. And our understanding is not necessary to its happening.

One more thing. In leap years, February is the only month that ends on the same day it began. So next year it begins on a Monday and ends on a Monday. Still more? In leap years it and August begin on the same day. Monday again.

In the other three so-called “common” years it and March and November begin on the same day. Sunday this year. And every year, leap years included, it and October end on the very same day. Saturday this year.

Named after Februalia, the Roman festival of purification, it comes from the Latin februarius mensis, meaning "month of purification", from februare, "to purify".

inaword@irishtimes.com