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There’s an R in the month

What's the meaning of the phrase 'There's an R in the month'?

The weather is cold.

What's the origin of the phrase 'There's an R in the month'?

The winter months between September to April have Rs; May to August don’t. The phrase is often used in the advice ‘Don’t eat oysters unless there is an R in the month’. Henry Buttes made a reference to this as early as 1599, in Dyets drie dinner:

“The oyster is unseasonable and unwholesome in all months that have not the letter R in their name”.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
There’s an R in the month

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