6 weird leap day traditions and superstitions, from proposals to pig feet

The history behind leap years may be little known, but even more curious are the various traditions and superstitions surrounding the day.

Here are some traditional ways to celebrate leap day this Thursday.

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It’s a British and Irish tradition for women to propose marriage to their partner on leap day. The tradition is thought to date back to fifth-century Ireland, when Saint Bridget complained to Saint Patrick that women were tired of waiting for men to propose. The patroness saint of Ireland was able to convince Saint Patrick to allow women to propose to men once every four years, which became known as “Ladies’ Privilege” or “Bachelor’s Day.”

The tradition traveled to Scotland and is thought to have been adopted into law by Queen Margaret in 1288, though she would have been around six years old at the time. According to Scottish tradition, women had to wear a red petticoat while proposing.

Turning down a Ladies’ Privilege proposal was costly. Men had to reimburse the women they rejected with gifts, such as gloves so she could hide her ring-less finger, or were even fined.