Leap Year's Irish Lore

Proposing marriage takes a leap of faith, but back in the early centuries of Irish lore, it required a leap of time. In those days, a woman was allowed to break with tradition and propose to her beau on a leap day in a leap year. The man could not refuse her hand unless he countered with a substantial consolation prize (silk or cash would do the trick). What was it about this elusive date that encouraged such a twist in the standard? The answer is in the calendar. The day was askew, the year awry. With the natural order topsy-turvy, what difference could a mere proposal make?

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