Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1903 — New NameS For Months. [ARTICLE]

New NameS For Months.

Several German papers are expressing dissatisfaction with the names of the months. These critics point out that it is absurd for Europeans and Americans of today to dedicate onesixth of the year to the memory of Julius Caesar and Augustus, to name a third after heathen gods and goddesses, to have two months of doubtful nomenclature and to designate the remaining four by misleading numerals, September being obviously ninth and not seventh in order. There is, of course, nothing to Bay against this argument from the point of view of common sense, but unfortunately common sense is not always the ruling power in human affairs. Not only the months, but the days of the week, too, and indeed most of us bear names which are either meaningless or inappropriate, and perhaps we like them all the better on that account. Some of our Teutonic contemporaries suggest reverting to the old designations of their uncivilized ancestors, which resemble closely enough those of the French revolutionary calendar. But one doubts whether the kaiser even would venture on such an innovation. Another idea is to adopt mere numbers, but that, too, has been tried by the Quakers and found wanting.— London Chronicle.