Saturday, December 29, 2007

What is sylvester good for, ...

What is sylvester good for, ...? "The term silvester (alternately spelled sylvester or sylwester) is used in certain countries (such as Germany, Austria, Poland and Israel) for December 31st in the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve. Swedes don't generally refer to the day itself with this name, but traditionally celebrate Silvester on this day as one of its 365 name days, using that spelling as it's the most common spelling of the name in Sweden. The naming refers to Pope Sylvester I, who died on that date in 335. The introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 moved the last day of the year from December 24th to December 31st which had been named Silvester since 813." [source: wikipedia] and the word means: "In some countries Sylvester (or Silvester) is the name used to refer to December 31st (New Year's Eve). As a name, it means "wooded", from the root Sylvania meaning "forest land" in Latin." [source: wikipedia]
... but for most people it is a day to go crazy drink/eat/do fireworks and why not?! --- Kjell

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