This year, 2020, is one of those special years when an extra day pops up out of nowhere only to disappear the next year.
Hurry! It’s almost March!
In Slovak, we call it “priestupný rok”, because this extra day, 29 February, “steps over” from one month into the next.
In English, we call this day a leap day and the year a leap year, exactly for the same reason. The extra day crosses over into the next month, but for some reason, in English it does so in a more rushed or excited manner compared to Slovak, by leaping rather than just stepping. 🙂
leap (past leaped or leapt-leapt) = to make a large jump or a sudden movement, usually from one place to another
He leapt out of his car and ran towards the house.
He leaped up to answer the phone.
The dog leaped over the gate into the field.
Fun fact (sort of)
Did you know that the people born on 29 February age 4 times more slowly than the rest of us? I haven’t found any studies to support this claim but I’m sure it’s true, judging by the one person I know born on a leap day. 🙂
