The saying "March in like a lion, out like a lamb" is popular folklore, but is there any truth to this? And where did this saying come from?
What You Need To Know
- The first known reference to the saying is in 1732
- There are possible links to astronomy
- March is typically more active at the beginning of the month
While the origins of this proverb aren’t quite clear, there is a reference to it in a 1732 volume of proverbs by English author Thomas Fuller. After that, it was in farmer’s almanacs.
Some think it has links to astronomy with the locations of the constellations Leo (lion) and Aries (ram or lamb). At the start of the month, Leo is on the eastern horizon at sunset and at the end of the month, Aries is on the western horizon at sunset.
Month of March meteorologically
March itself is a transitional month, going from winter to spring. It’s not uncommon for the beginning of the month to feature big storm systems, including snow and even severe weather. By the end of the month, milder weather spreads over much of the country. However, this is not always the case and can vary.
The saying talks about balance. If the month comes in active, like a lion, it should go out docile, like a lamb. Or, if it comes in docile, it should go out active. Yet, meteorologically speaking, that doesn’t always happen.
Other March folklore
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, here are some other March-related sayings:
- "A dry March and a wet May; fill barns and bays with corn and hay."
- "As it rains in March, so it rains in June."
- "March winds and April showers, bring forth May flowers."
- "So many mists in March you see, so many frosts in May will be."
Conclusion
The origins of the saying "March in like a lion, out like a lamb" are unclear, but it has been in circulation since at least 1732. There are possible links to astronomy, and meteorologically, March can be a transitional month with big storm systems at the beginning and milder weather at the end. However, the saying talks about balance, and this is not always the case.
FAQs
- Where did the saying "March in like a lion, out like a lamb" come from?
- The origins of the saying are unclear, but it has been in circulation since at least 1732.
- Is there a scientific basis for the saying?
- Meteorologically, March can be a transitional month, but the saying talks about balance, which is not always the case.
- Are there other March-related sayings?
- Yes, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, there are several other sayings related to the month of March.
