# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/81 "2000-12-26T02:01:57Z")
**23skidoo** ’s find _does_ look good. Why don’t you give it a shot and (:::suggestion::🙂 split the loot with him/her if it’s the correct answer? ---
**Author:** ![Hokienautic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@Hokienautic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokienautic)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/82 "2000-12-26T14:01:10Z")
Not so sure about the viability of skidoo’s answer. It ignores the part of the questions “and only in a leap year,” especially since 2000 is/was NOT a leap year. While it is the first find of an actual “May 33rd” listing, it still says nothing about a leap year, which it seems is necessary to get the correct answer. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/83 "2000-12-26T14:09:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hokienautic \* > \*\*especially since 2000 is/was NOT a leap year. While. \*\* 😕 Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/84 "2000-12-26T14:38:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hokienautic \* > \*\*Not so sure about the viability of skidoo’s answer. It ignores the part of the questions “and only in a leap year,” especially since 2000 is/was NOT a leap year. While it is the first find of an actual “May 33rd” listing, it still says nothing about a leap year, which it seems is necessary to get the correct answer. \*\* What? 2000 is/was most certainly a leap year. Check your calendar. ---
**Author:** ![Hokienautic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@Hokienautic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokienautic)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/85 "2000-12-26T15:05:31Z")
You’re right, I got confused for a second. 2000 was a leap year. The problem I meant to state was that it said (according to the earlier-linked Web site) only in leap yearS. To me, at least, this implies a regular occurence, and this concert seems to be a one-time thing. Sorry for any confusion. ---
**Author:** ![malden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@malden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malden)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/86 "2000-12-26T17:50:08Z")
Nothing beats seeing a **Hokie** being set straight by a **Wahoo**!! 😉 (a little Virginia intercollegiate humor) ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/87 "2000-12-26T18:07:49Z")
Assuming that the question quoted in the above-referenced URL is correct, it does in fact say ‘on leap year **s** ’. Which would, when you think of it, tend to rule out **skidoo** ’s answer. Now, if it _was_ correctly formulated, shouldn’t it at least be ‘ **in** leap years’ or ‘ **during** leap years’?? Unless ‘on’ is in itself an element of the solution… ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/88 "2000-12-26T21:30:18Z")
A few random thoughts : 1. I’ve come across similar kinds of concepts in “futuristic” novels, so perhaps someone more familiar with the genre than I am might be able to offer some guidance. 2. I’ve noticed that Americans say their dates differently to the way we say them here in Australia, so the exact phrasing does seem relevant (for instance, I far more often hear Americans say “twenty-one December” or “December twenty-one” than “the twenty-first of December”). 3. Again, the gut feeling that the answer to this will be found in song or literature rather than in science or maths. ---
**Author:** ![conway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@conway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conway)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/89 "2000-12-26T21:45:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by reprise \* > \*\*(for instance, I far more often hear Americans say “twenty-one December” or “December twenty-one” than “the twenty-first of December”). > \*\* Where in America do people talk like that? ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/90 "2000-12-27T02:14:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by brandocet \* > \*\* Where in America do people talk like that? \*\* On yahoo voice chat (I know, not a reliable demographic) and it’s something I’ve observed about the small sample of US ex-pats I’ve worked with here : not criticising your system of dating, or the way you express it, just pointing out that the differences may be meaningful in terms of the question at hand. I might post the original question on another few boards… ---
**Author:** ![MetropoChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@MetropoChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MetropoChris)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/91 "2000-12-27T17:52:05Z")
TOP! Ive already posted this to some other boards. People are working as we speak. BTW, how the hell could this question be answered without the use of the web??? ---
**Author:** ![maralinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/92 "2000-12-27T18:43:01Z")
I use the form “December 21” (not “21st”) in speaking all the time, but it has nothing to do with where I live in the US (the midwest). I just started doing it because it seems easier to understand. ---
**Author:** ![yzzazz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8dc957/32.png) [@yzzazz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yzzazz)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/93 "2000-12-27T18:47:50Z")
I’ve been a “first-time caller, long-time listener” for years now. The “Questionmaster” seems to always do his best to come up with questions that cannot be found with the Yahoo (or any other) search engine. The answer will no doubt be somewhat obscure and the person to discover the answer will probably come across it by stumbling into the piece of literature, album liner notes, or whatever it may be that contains the otherwise useless piece of knowledge. I’m not quite sure, but I think Bob Madden and Brian Nelson yearn to return to a world where the libraries are more populated. I remember in '94, when the web was relatively young, answers were more likely to be found by asking the local librarian to research a name or place for you. When it got to the point where listeners were breezing through the 5 questions in 6 or 7 weeks, the DJs regularly mentioned, “The internet has ruined this game!” Anyway, I really just wanted to mention that “You Can’t Win” airs in the Milwaukee area between 9:30 and 9:45 AM CST on WLZR 102.9. I don’t think they offer online listening or RealAudio clips of their show, but you can see for yourself at: [http://www.lazer103.com](http://www.lazer103.com) One other thing – the Unofficial You Can’t Win webpage above mentioned that a response about “The Hobbit” and the festival of overlies “seemed close from Brian’s response.” Well, last week Brian told a listener that he was on the right track when he responded with an answer that went something like this: “When you convert the metric calendar into the Gregorian calendar, May 33 in a leap year corresponds to June 27 which is near the summer solstice.” I know it’s no help, right? ---
**Author:** ![pythonzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2000, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/94 "2000-12-28T01:44:59Z")
I e-mailed the question to a calender expert and received the following replies: ```auto >"What happens on May 33rd, but only on leap years?" > >Any insights? No. You're the fifth person to ask me this in the last few months. I thought of complaining to Bob and Brian, but they are apparently Bush supporters, so I doubt I'd get any intelligent response from them. At least they are the cause of a few people discovering my website. To put it briefly, no calendar known to me could be said to have a May 33rd in a leap year in any ordinary sense of these words. If and when B&B finally reveal the answer, I'd like to hear what it is. I expect it will not be particularly interesting. Regards, Peter Meyer ``` This came a few hours later: ```auto Ladies and gentlemen, Today I was asked this question for the fifth time. Jeez. How many more? OK, if you want an answer, here it is: Nothing. (Get a life, B&B.) Why? Because there is no May 33rd. Only on (or rather, in) leap years? So it doesn't happen on May 33rd in non-leap years? Right. Nothing doesn't happen on May 33rd in non-leap years, for the same reason. Regards, Peter Meyer ``` ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/95 "2001-01-06T00:19:17Z")
A question hasn’t needed **Cecil** as much as this in a long time! ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/96 "2001-01-06T00:46:19Z")
At work in the library… got my perpetual calendar & Chase’s annual events out as we speak… ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/97 "2001-01-06T00:58:52Z")
June 3rd is the anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, not that it helps… ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/98 "2001-01-06T01:01:41Z")
It’s also the birthday of President (heh) Jefferson Davis… ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/99 "2001-01-06T01:16:58Z")
Just a thought, but could it have something to do with time zones? Would anyone care to count the local variables that deviate from the standard divisions (eg, Naru’s +30 min) from GMT? Rephrase the question: “What happens in May, 33rd, etc…” ---
**Author:** ![mellonhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@mellonhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mellonhead)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637/100 "2001-01-06T05:14:07Z")
(dear God…I can’t believe I’m joining in on this: it’s gonna drive me nuts) I’ve been looking at a calendar of the year 2000. I’m in accord with the “May 30, 3rd but only on a leap year” crowd (the complex/Jewish/ancient calendar thing seems almost too complex - but I could just be blowing smoke up my own ass). During a leap year, does something happen for the 3rd time NUMERICALLY within the calendar on May 30th? For example - is there some mathematical thing that happens with the days and the numbers assigned to them (like the 3rd time a Tuesday occurs for the 5th time in a month?). My math skills for this kind of thing are pretty lame…just an idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-on-may-33rd-but-only-on-leap-year/39637.md?page=6)