The first day of the year
From January to August, the months bear names derived from gods, emperors, and other Roman origins – no surprises there. However, the last four months – September, October, November, and December – intriguingly derive their names from numbers: seven, eight, nine, ten. But logically, shouldn't they represent nine, ten, eleven, twelve instead? Why does the ninth month start with 'seven'? Did the Romans not understand counting?
Indeed, they did. For a long time, the year began in March, the onset of spring, which makes sense. It was not until around the 5th century BC, with the introduction of January and February, that the year started on January 1st. Despite the shift, the names of the months remained unchanged. Hence, December became the 12th month yet retained 'ten' in its name.
The evolution of languages and human constructs is a fascinating blend of order and chaos. We encounter glimpses of logic only to find a mesh of complexities nearby. This is evident in languages and many other human systems. Take, for instance, the first day of the year: even before the first century, the Romans had established January 1st as the start of the year. Yet, during the Middle Ages, various dates marked the new year across Europe, with March 25th being a popular choice. The Gregorian Calendar, which we follow today, solidified January 1st as the year's beginning.
However, remnants of the year starting on March 25th persist. George Washington's birth, for example, was recorded as February 11, 1731 – back when February was the penultimate month. In England and its colonies, the new year was celebrated on March 25th. When England eventually adopted the Gregorian Calendar, it not only removed 11 days but also shifted the year's start to January 1st. Consequently, Washington's birthday is now recognized as February 22, 1732, although older texts still show the original date. Another remnant of this old English New Year is the tax year, which still begins on April 6th (March 25th in the old calendar).
Our calendar is an intricate mix of precise mathematics and the remnants of old words, numbers, and names. It attempts to mirror the orderly path of stars across our sky, marking time's passage. Yet, no calendar is perfect, just as no grammar or system can flawlessly describe the world. The tension between our attempts to impose order and our inherent tendency towards disorder – which often quickens our heartbeat – is what makes language and all human constructs so intriguing. It's this very tension that brings a smile to my face when I remember that our 12th month still carries a ten in its name.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!