leap to it, ladies.

q. shenaynay

It only comes around once every four years, so don't waste it, ladies! It being high noon, you've now got exactly twelve hours to proposition some handsome fellow.

What? You didn't know ladies could propose on February 29th? Oh my. Quick, let QS get you up to speed before all the coaches turn back into pumpkins.

Throughout recorded history, there's been a tradition allowing women to propose marriage anytime during a leap year. But somewhere in the murky past, men who felt this put them at too great a risk managed to get it whittled down to a one day deal: February 29th. (Cheeky chaps.)

Some folk historians believe the tradition started with Saint Patrick or Brigid of Kildare in 5th century Ireland. In 13th century Scotland,there was a law under young Queen Margaret that required a man to pay fines if he refused a marriage proposal in a leap year; Wikipedia says "compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow."

Women who were in a courting mood were, in some western cultures, expected to wear scarlet petticoats as fair warning. How racy is that?

So get after it, girls. Fetch your red skirts and get a move on. March is only 12 hours away.