According to tradition (and Wikipedia, about which Michael Scott declares, " Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information"), this is the day for all the ladies to get their "fine specimen":In the English speaking world, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years. Supposedly, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland (then age five and living in Norway), required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow. Because men felt that put them at too great a risk, the tradition was in some places tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day,29 February or to the medieval leap day, 24 February. According to Felten: "A play from the turn of the 17th century, 'The Maydes Metamorphosis,' has it that 'this is leape year/women wear breeches.' A few hundred years later, breeches wouldn't do at all: Women looking to take advantage of their opportunity to pitch woo were expected to wear a scarlet petticoat -- fair warning, if you will." So, lets all put on our metaphorical scarlet petticoats (And Mammy," his tone was stern but his eyes twinkled, "what's that rustling noise I hear?" "Lawd, Mist' Rhett, dat ain' nuthin but mah red silk petticoat!" Mammy giggled. "Nothing but your petticoat! I don't believe it. You sound like a peck of dried leaves rubbing together. Let me see. Pull up your skirt." "Mist' Rhett, you is bad! Yeah-O, Lawd!" ) and pitch woo!!!!
