October is the tenth month of our year and “Oct,” of course, means eight so, uh. Hmmm. There actually is a logic to it and those of you who have been paying close attention to these monthly epistles can figure it out. Hint – it comes from the Romans. Another hint – the calendar isn’t the same as it always was. Last hint – the Roman calendar started with March (go figure). Yes, yes, you brilliant hint taker you, October was the 8th month in the Roman calendar and only later, after January and February were added, did October become the 10th month. September (Sep = 7), November (Nov = 9) and December (Dec = 10) have the same Roman roots as October.
How do you have a calendar missing two months of the year? Leap months. That’s right. You know that expression “spring forward and fall back?” It actually comes from the Romans who liked the fall months so much they would sometimes repeat them and it actually helped to keep their calendar aligned. Though it wreaked havoc for people like almanac makers, historians, astrologers, wedding planners, and (Latin) word-of-the-day creators, it worked great for procrastinators of all kinds, like last minute Christmas shoppers, homework doers, and renters (“But I paid you for October’s rent – here’s my receipt”). Fortunately, Roman lawns didn’t grow in the fall months
Though you may think I made that last paragraph up (I did), there is one thing about it that rings true – Roman leap months are the reason why people today still discuss the Fall of the Roman Empire. (HAR!).
October also provides us with Halloween, which is the official beginning of the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) season. Currently, no one is legally allowed to order a PSL before October 31, but, if PSL season goes like Christmas season has gone (54 shopping days left by Halloween), the PSL buying will soon begin on Memorial Day because, why not? Curiously, the same thing never happened for egg nog. Maybe not so curious – the problem with ordering an egg nog is that it carries a risk you might accidentally drink it – bleccccccccch.
Speaking of curious, October stretches the boundaries of national days. Examples include National Name Your Car Day and National Produce Misting Day (both on the 2nd), National Eat Fruit at Work Day (5th), National Be Bald and Free Day (14th), and National Chicken and Waffles Day (20th). If none of those are to your liking, perhaps you’ll be more pleased on the 15th when National Grouch Day is celebrated. As for me, I’ll beware of the ides of October.
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