# What happens on May 33rd but only on leap year? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 4, 2000, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637 "2000-11-04T01:33:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/41 "2000-11-06T16:45:04Z")
I will simply submit that on the classic TV series “Hee Haw,” in a “Culhanes” skit, Grandpa (Jones) Culhane once said that he was born on April 35. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/42 "2000-11-06T16:46:24Z")
CKDextHaven - don’t leave out “word trick” in your possibilities (the “street address” or “May 30, third” type thing). Like I said, I’ve HEARD this damn thing somewhere, and cannot remember the slightest detail about the answer. It’s possible that I may have only heard the question posed before. ---
**Author:** ![Myndephuquer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@Myndephuquer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myndephuquer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/43 "2000-11-06T17:17:01Z")
[http://www.payvand.com/calendar/intro.html](http://www.payvand.com/calendar/intro.html) This may help – it talks about the Jalaali calendar… (I won’t paraphrase as I haven’t had much of a chance to thoroughly read it yet) It may help someone else think in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/44 "2000-11-06T17:17:18Z")
This page has quite a few bizarre dates on it…inlcuding May 33. [http://www.e-mj.com/index2000.html](http://www.e-mj.com/index2000.html) ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/45 "2000-11-06T17:19:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by malaka \* > \*\*This page has quite a few bizarre dates on it…inlcuding May 33. > > [http://www.e-mj.com/index2000.html](http://www.e-mj.com/index2000.html) > \*\* I’m an idiot. They appear to be page numbers. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Avumede](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/avumede/32/7235_2.png) [@Avumede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avumede)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/46 "2000-11-06T17:52:53Z")
Just a thought, it may have something to do with the Freemasons. 33 is a very special number to them - I believe the highest rank you can obtain. They may have some ritual you do once on a leap year… Secondly, we definately need the exact phrasing of the question. When they repeat it, is it always the same? If it it is, then there may be some word-play, like “thirty-third” meaning “May 30 / 3” (coincidentally, if you count the days from 1 on Jan 1st May 30 / 3 is in Febuary…) Third, this probably doesn’t have any direct relationship to Leap Year. All leap-year specific activities would tend to be around Feb 29th itself. Like someone mentioned already, it could just be a 4 year thing coincidental with leap-year. ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/47 "2000-11-06T17:59:23Z")
Well, as long as we are throwing out WAGs here… there are exactly 100 days between Feb. 1 and May 10 (30/3). ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/48 "2000-11-06T17:59:28Z")
Check out: [http://www.worldofthestrange.com/Archives/072400.htm](http://www.worldofthestrange.com/Archives/072400.htm) I knew it was those damn freemasons… ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/49 "2000-11-06T19:04:10Z")
Ya know, I’m beginning to agree with the previous posters about it coming out of a work of nonsensical fiction. It almost sounds like something out of the Pooh factory: Pooh: Do Tiggers ever take a bath? Tigger: Sure do buddy boy, on May 33rd, but only on leap years. That sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/50 "2000-11-09T15:38:44Z")
So does anyone know the answer to this yet? ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2000, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/51 "2000-11-09T15:54:09Z")
Here’s one direction to pursue: the birthday of some fictional character. Some muppet, cartoon, or other children’s character. Wouldn’t surprise me if Gonzo or one of the Animaniacs has a birthday on May 33rd–but only on Leap Year. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2000, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/52 "2000-11-09T15:56:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pcubed \* > \*\*Ya know, I’m beginning to agree with the previous posters about it coming out of a work of nonsensical fiction. It almost sounds like something out of the Pooh factory: > > Pooh: Do Tiggers ever take a bath? > > Tigger: Sure do buddy boy, on May 33rd, but only on leap years. > > That sort of thing. > > \*\* Damn. Skimmed right over this reply. Well, ditto. ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@matt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/53 "2000-11-15T15:21:39Z")
Do we ever get to know the answer to this one? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/54 "2000-11-15T15:36:54Z")
I suppose we can keep checking on that link I provided - it has been updated with more wrong answers since this thread started. Again: [http://www.execpc.com/~rwerning/](http://www.execpc.com/~rwerning/) ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/55 "2000-11-15T17:19:32Z")
My guess is “green snow falls.” If anyone guesses that, and it’s right, send me a few cds, ok? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/56 "2000-11-15T18:01:22Z")
Maybe it something to do with the “33” on [Rolling Rock](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_044.html) beer labels? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/57 "2000-11-15T18:04:23Z")
It might be interesting to note that in the Jewish calendar, leap years are every _3_ years, and a new month is inserted. The months are either 29 or 30 days long, and the rules are so complicated it makes the US tax code look like easy. Try here: [http://webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-jewish.html](http://webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-jewish.html) ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/58 "2000-11-15T18:26:40Z")
“My guess is ‘green snow falls.’” Actually, I changed my mind about this. Now I think that May 33 is a “trademark phrase” of British comedian Victor Lewis-Smith. For example, when making fun of his insurance policy, he might say that if you look at the fine print, the policy is only effective on May 33. I have a feeling that Lewis-Smith must have had some bit where he says that some event takes place on May 33, but only on leap years, as a funny way of saying that something will (or should) never happen. Any British comedy fans out there? ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/59 "2000-11-15T19:27:37Z")
I’ve been to a number of bars that have signs up which say “Free Beer Day, May 32nd.” Perhaps there is a similar sign in a bar somewhere in Milwaukee. Or worse, some other town. I’ll get to work on that. ---
**Author:** ![dietrologia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@dietrologia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dietrologia)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/60 "2000-11-16T00:01:55Z")
On a Decimal Calendar, May 33 corresponds to June 28th. On the International Fixed Calendar (a thirteen month calendar), in leap years an extra Leap Day is added after June 28. Any help? No? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637.md?page=4)