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Dawlish · April 15th 15, 06:58 AM posted to uk.sci.weather

On Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 2:51:11 AM UTC+1, Alan LeHun wrote:
In article ,
says...

On Monday, 13 April 2015 18:25:00 UTC+1, Scott W wrote:

Another frequently quoted one is:
"Ne'er cast a clout till May is out."
I used to think this referred to the month - in which case it is usually correct. However, when I realised it referred to the May / hawthorn tree (referring to the tree's blossom) I am not so sure of its reliability.

A clout is a target. Any bit of litter stuck in a hedge. Such a target in that season would be used for ploughing. In other words, it is never too late to plough if the first hedge bushes are not in flower.

I imagine a farmer can wait for the weather to get the fields ploughed in the most suitable condition.
Hardly a weather lore.

The clout part most definitely refers to your winter clothing. There is
no doubt about that. There is still much doubt as to whether the saying
refers to the Mey flower or the month of May.

Personally, I think it is the month. Cold snaps in May were more common
in the 18thC when this saying appears to have originated. Certainly,
there are plenty of references from that time that spell May rather than
Mey as would have been expected if it refered to the Hawthorn. However,
misspellings were, of course, very common then too.

--
Alan LeHun
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Agreed. W is in the cloud cuckoo land which is his usual abode.