"Frankin's Days"

[Silver Tabby]

In these "Frankin's Days' beware late and destructive frosts, thunder, and unreliable weather.

According to a Devon legend, the sharp frosts which sometimes occur about this time are the revenge of one Frankin, a Beer brwer, put out of business by competition from Cider. He therefore vowed his soul to the Devil in return for frosts on each of three 'Frankin's Days' around May 21st, hoping that these would kill the apple blossom and ruin the Cider crop.

May weather is consider too unreliable for shorn sheep, which may take cold and die; and thunder this month presages a poor Summer and a bad harvest.

Shear your sheep in May
you'll shear them all away.

Thunder in May
frightens Summer away!

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[JBR]

In these "Frankin's Days' beware late and destructive frosts, thunder, and unreliable weather.

According to a Devon legend, the sharp frosts which sometimes occur about this time are the revenge of one Frankin, a Beer brwer, put out of business by competition from Cider. He therefore vowed his soul to the Devil in return for frosts on each of three 'Frankin's Days' around May 21st, hoping that these would kill the apple blossom and ruin the Cider crop.

May weather is consider too unreliable for shorn sheep, which may take cold and die; and thunder this month presages a poor Summer and a bad harvest.

Shear your sheep in May
you'll shear them all away.

Thunder in May
frightens Summer away!

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Very interesting.  I had no idea about this.
On the other hand, we have had some beautiful weather this month.
However, I shall put off shearing our sheep, and won't allow Marge to cut my hair for the same reason.

[Silver Tabby]

Sounds like a plan, JBR.

[klondike]

Nay cast a clout afore May is out. Except it means May blossom rather than the month.

I shall ensure no clouts get cast afore these Frankin days are out either.

[GrannyMac]

Two schools of thought on that.  This is an old rhyme:

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

My granny made us wear our vests til June.  😊

[Scrumpy]

Nay cast a clout afore May is out. Except it means May blossom rather than the month.

So never think to cast a clout
Until the Month of May be out.

How interesting.. I am now confused.

[klondike]

This explains the two interpretations

https://www.weatherandradar.co.uk/weather-news/the-old-english-saying-neer-cast-a-clout-til-may-be-out--c519fa76-a39f-4279-9693-10c2aeb97ed2

[Silver Tabby]

Thank you for sharing that!