st. swithin's day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowCultural / Historical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “st. swithin's day” mean?
A specific date in the Christian calendar, July 15th, associated with English folklore about weather patterns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific date in the Christian calendar, July 15th, associated with English folklore about weather patterns.
Primarily refers to the weather proverb that if it rains on St. Swithin's Day (July 15th), it will rain for the next 40 days, and if it is fair, dry weather will follow for 40 days.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and associated folklore are exclusively British (and to a lesser extent Irish). It is virtually unknown in general American culture.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes traditional folklore, whimsical weather prediction, and a touch of cultural heritage. It has no connotations in the US.
Frequency
In the UK, frequency spikes in mid-July in weather reports and light cultural commentary. Extremely rare to non-existent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “st. swithin's day” in a Sentence
[Subject: It/Weather] + [Verb: is/rains/is fair] + on St. Swithin's DayThe proverb + about/concerning + St. Swithin's Day + states/predicts...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “st. swithin's day” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- a St. Swithin's Day downpour
- St. Swithin's Day weather
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, folklore, or cultural studies contexts discussing British traditions or weather lore.
Everyday
Used in UK conversation primarily in mid-July, often humorously or in weather-related small talk.
Technical
Not used in meteorology as a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “st. swithin's day”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “st. swithin's day”
- Misspelling as 'St. Swithin Day' (missing apostrophe + s).
- Capitalizing incorrectly, e.g., 'st. Swithin's day'.
- Using it as a general term for any rainy period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a bank or public holiday in the United Kingdom.
He was an Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. The legend about moving his reburial and subsequent 40 days of rain arose centuries later.
No, it is considered a folk myth with no scientific basis. Modern meteorology shows no correlation between the weather on July 15th and the following 40 days.
Generally, no. It is a specifically British (and to some extent Irish) cultural reference unknown to most Americans.
A specific date in the Christian calendar, July 15th, associated with English folklore about weather patterns.
St. swithin's day is usually cultural / historical / literary in register.
St. swithin's day: in British English it is pronounced /ˌseɪnt ˈswɪðɪnz deɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌseɪnt ˈswɪθɪnz deɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"St. Swithin's Day, if thou dost rain, for forty days it will remain; St. Swithin's Day, if thou be fair, for forty days 'twill rain no more."”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SWIthin = SWImming? If it rains on SWIthin's day, you'll need an umbrella for swimming for 40 days!
Conceptual Metaphor
WEATHER IS A PROPHECY (a single day's weather metaphorically predicts and controls a long future period).
Practice
Quiz
What is St. Swithin's Day primarily associated with?