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subofficer | 22:54 Sun 23rd Apr 2006 | Phrases & Sayings
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never cast a clout till may is out
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"Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out"
Clout is from an Old English word for cloth or clothing, and the saying is a reminder not to be too quick to remove the winter woollies(warm clothing) before the chilly days of May are over.
As above ..but I was always led to believe it was until the may blossom appears on the trees.

I think you are both right. May is another name for the hawthorn which blossoms in May. F.K. Robinson's Whitby Glossary (1855) has


The wind at North and East/Was never good for man nor beast/So never think to cast a clout/Until the month of May be out.


You pays your money and you takes your choice!

Well...by the look of it folks we won't be casting any clouts at all for a while yet if the weather doesn't warm up soon !
I had to wear extra clouts today as it has been so cold !!
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Thanks everyone for your trouble. Argee very good reply. I was not sure if it was till the blossom went or came.


Regards all.


Subofficer.

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