Appropriate or inappropriate old sayings

[Pennines]

Just to mention that the old saying 'Don't cast a clout till May is out' seems to have been entirely inappropriate this year -- even here 'up North'. Not that I've ever been entirely sure what a 'clout' is!

[josey]

Yes, as someone else living 'up north' it has been lovely to cast off clothing so early in the year [not today however - misty across the valley].

...something with the same origin as 'cloutie dumpling' ie a dumpling cooked in a cloth.

[Pennines]

Hi Josey,

Boiling where I am in Lancs -- and very sunny. Makes me realise I'm getting older -- don't like it so hot anymore.

If I was to sit out in it I might indeed be a 'dumpling cooked in a cloth'.

[Christine53]

I'm just back from 3 weeks hill walking in the Lake District. Sunglasses , hats and sunscreen all the way and the waterproofs stayed in the rucksacks - wonderful !

[stanmapstone]

From the OED
Clout Applied contemptuously to any article of clothing;........ and in proverb ne'er cast a clout till May be out (and variants).

Stan

[ROSEPIP]

neer cast a clout till may is out 
is  do not take of warm clothing until the mayflower is out (hawthorn ) not the month of may

[Gillg]

For some of us , the saying says not simply "May", but "the May", referring to hawthorn blossom.  When you see the hedgerows full of its creamy blossom, you know it's time to cast your clout (woolly vest, Liberty bodice,  extra sweater, thick socks, Long Johns or whatever you've been wearing to keep out the cold all winter).

Oops, Rosepip, have just seen your post pop up!

Pennines
living in Lancs I'm surprised you haven't come across "clout" before.  I was born and brought up there  and know it from my early years living there.  Maybe you're a lot younger than I am.    I dare say that Rochdale dialect has chenged a lot!

[Mart 'n' Al]

I'm just back from mid Wales with sunburn.

Martin

[heywood]

living in Lancs I'm surprised you haven't come across "clout" before.  I was born and brought up there  and know it from my early years living there.  Maybe you're a lot younger than I am.    I dare say that Rochdale dialect has chenged a lot!

We didn’t refer to clothing though - it was more of a thump  or a slap ‘get a clout from your mam when she finds out ...’