Word of the Month: February

The month of February, always a victim of the Caesars in their relentless quest for days with which to beef up their own months (July and August, for Julius and Augustus — although to be fair to Julius it wasn't his fault), has an interesting origin. Its name comes from the Latin phrase februarius mensis — 'purification month'.

Apparently, the word februarius has something in common with the Latin word febris ('fever'): they are rooted in even more ancient words that denote heat, restlessness, vibration. February is a feverish month.

And so it will be. This month is going to be relentless, or unrelenting, if you like. But yet it is the season of Lent, if not of lentils. What is a body to do, then?