"The Noughties"?

[Geoff Bannister]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Lee Kaiwen <leekaiwen at ...> wrote:
>
> Geoff:
> > Forget the "low flying". Today's the day when maidens can pop the
> > question to their possible beaux being the day it is.
> 
> And, as I understand it, the fellow isn't allowed to decline, or he has 
> to give the lady a gift. Sounds like quite a bonanza for the women. 
> "Hmm, how many guys can I propose to in 24 hours?"

Geoff:
I think that the proposal is expected to go to someone close to the
lady. For example, Hermione might propose to Ron but I think that
proposing to Snape or Fred or Draco would not be taken as a serious 
offer!
:-)

CJ:
> However since Leap Day is actually Feb. 23rd, not the 29th, has this 
> tradition always been practiced on the 29th in GB?  I know in Denmark 
> it's practiced on the 24th, and a declining beau has to compensate with 
> a dozen pair of handwear.

Geoff:
In the UK, the 24th was the mediaeval date. The 29th has been "the day" 
for a long time - probably because it is so obviously the extra day. In 
the European Union, however, the 29th only became the official Leap Day 
in 2000.