Shouldn't The Years W/O the Extra Day Be Called 'Leap Years'?

I've always wondered this.

If there isn't the extra day, then we're 'leaping ahead' a day, but if we add the extra day, then we're 'dragging'.

Shouldn't it be called 'Dragging Year'--or like the Chinese might say 'Year of Dragging'?

1 Answer

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  • Neil
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    It's called a 'leap year' because fixed holidays (such Christmas and New Year's Day, etc.) usually advance one day each year, but they leap ahead one day during a leap year. For instance, if Christmas takes place on Monday in the first year, it will take place on Tuesday the next year, on Wednesday the third year, and, during a leap year, skips Thursday entirely and takes place on Friday instead.

    Good question, by the way.

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