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der Siebenschläfertag
   St. Swithin’s Day, Seven Sleepers Day (June 27th)*

Siebenschläfertag. Der Name des Tages hat allerdings nichts mit dem gleichnamigen, mausgroßen Nagetier zu tun. Er bezieht sich auf eine alte Legende.
St. Swithin's Day.* The name of the day actually has nothing to do with the mouse-sized rodent [dormouse] of the same name. It is related to an old legend.
Wenn’s am Siebenschläfer regnet,
sind wir sieben Wochen mit Regen gesegnet.
If it rains on Seven Sleepers Day,
we’ll be blessed with seven weeks of rain.

*The legend of St. Swithin's Day (Seven Sleepers Day) goes back to the year 446, and is a sort of German "Groundhog Day." If it rains on June 27th, it will be rainy for another seven weeks. The British St. Swithin's (or Swithun's) Day is July 17. The folk saying goes: “If on St. Swithin's day it really pours, you're better off to stay indoors.”

Also see: German Celebrations and Holidays (The German Way)

Related Words:
der Siebenschläfer dormouse

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