What happens on leap day?

Most of the time, February has 28 days. But every four years, it gets a bonus day: February 29. Here's what that day is called in English, why it exists, and what to call the people born on it.

Understanding leap years

It takes the Earth about 365 and a quarter days to go around the Sun. Our calendar only has 365, so every four years we add an extra day to stay in line with the seasons. A year with that extra day is called a "leap year," and February 29 is "leap day."

• 2020, 2024, and 2028 are all leap years.
• Is this a leap year? I can never remember.
• Some people believe getting married in a leap year brings bad luck.

So why "leap"? Normally, a date moves forward by one weekday each year. If your birthday is on a Monday this year, it'll be on a Tuesday next year. In a leap year, dates after February 29 jump forward by two days instead, so they "leap" over one day of the week.

• My birthday is on a Friday this year, but because of leap day, it skips to Sunday next year.
• I always forget leap day exists until I see February 29 on the calendar.
• Some shops offer special deals on leap day.

What about people born on leap day?

People born on February 29 are sometimes called "leaplings" or "leap-year babies." Strictly speaking, they only get a real birthday every four years, so most of them celebrate on February 28 or March 1 in the other years.

There are thought to be around five million of them worldwide.

• My cousin is a leapling, so she jokes that she's only nine.
• Being a leapling is a great conversation starter.

So next time February 29 shows up on your calendar, you'll know what to call this extra day and the people who celebrate their birthdays on it.

Want to learn more about how we talk about special dates in English? Check out our Daily Dose of Denglisch Docs.