midsummer

[Scarlett]

When is Midsummer? I was arguing with one of my students over this!!

[andyjevs]

The summer equinox.....equal amounts of daylight and darkness....is June 21st. Commonly called midsummers day.

[Robinia]

I've always believed that June 24th was Midsummer's day and that June 21st is the longest day.

[libertie]

Like Robinia I too thought Midsummers Day was the 24th June and the longest day the 21st......collegue (sticking her neb in) reckons it's the 23rd and the longest day the 21st!

[Quizmonster]

Summer officially begins at the solstice on 21st/22nd June and ends at the autumnal equinox on 21st/22nd September. On that basis "midsummer" would be around early August!
However, it is obvious that standard phrases such as "flaming June" and "hotter than a June bride in a feather bed" have nothing whatever to do with springtime phenomena, which that official definition would largely mean!
As the second definition of �summer', The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) - the �bible' of words and their meanings - says: "in popular use, comprising in the northern hemisphere the period from mid-May to mid-August."
Traditionally, Midsummer's Day was June 24th and - in a temperate climate such as ours - the seasons are all about the same length...ie 13 weeks. Accordingly, summer would, in most people's view, begin 6� weeks before June 24th, which is around May 10th and end around August 9th. That fits almost perfectly with what the OED says.
So, you can take your pick as to when summer actually is...the official definition or the one that common language and experience tells you is so.

[Robinia]

I that case I shall continue to dance naked around the hawthorn on the 23rd - midsummer's eve......is that not what everyone does?
mmm... that's the last time I believe my neighbour.

[netibiza]

Well Robinia I'll continue to dance naked at any time as I'm never too sure of the date.