Meaning & Analysis
The proverb states that February typically brings abundant precipitation, whether as 'black' (rain/mud) or 'white' (snow), both of which fill ditches and saturate the ground—though snow is considered more beneficial.
Insights
Necessity of Adversity
It conveys that challenging, unpleasant, or harsh periods—like the wet and wintry days of February—are necessary to ensure future growth and prosperity, especially in agricultural life.
Value in All Conditions
The proverb also expresses a broader acceptance: whether conditions are favorable or not ('black or white'), each brings its own form of usefulness, with even the less desirable having value.
Preference for the Best
While any precipitation is helpful, there remains a human tendency to hope for the best form—here, snow over rain—reflecting both pragmatism and preference within acceptance.
Agricultural Wisdom
Rooted in rural and farming traditions, the proverb reflects the importance of winter precipitation for replenishing soil moisture, flooding ditches, and preparing the land for spring planting.
Folk Meteorology
The distinction between 'black' (rain) and 'white' (snow) reveals historical weather lore, where snow was seen as gentler and more beneficial to the earth, releasing moisture slowly and protecting seeds.
Psychological Resilience
Psychologically, the saying embodies endurance and optimism—finding comfort in necessary discomforts, and preferring the best but accepting whatever nature provides.
Literary and Seasonal Rhythm
With origins as early as Tusser and recurring in English verse, the proverb preserves the rhythm of rural life and seasonal expectation, reminding communities of cyclical hardships and rewards.
Rhetorical Devices
Contrast
The juxtaposition of 'black or white' (rain or snow) not only paints a vivid image but also broadens the meaning to encompass all types of adversity and benefit.
Personification
February is given agency—able to 'fill the dike'—lending the month an active, almost capricious role in shaping the agricultural year.
Rhythm and Alliteration
The alliteration and internal rhyme ('fill-dike,' 'black or be it white') contribute to the proverb’s memorability and folk-song quality.
Transcription
Quotations
And feuerell fill dyke, doth good with his snowe.
Feb, fill the dike With what thou dost like.
Februar fill dyk with a blak or a why I shall fill it or I go and it war with bare strae.
Because it [February] is commonly the foulest; and thereupon wee call it, Filldike.
If foulefac'd February keepe true touch, He makes the toyling Plowmans prouerbe right; By night, by day, by little and by much, It fills the ditch, with either blacke or white.
February fill dike, Either with black or white; He will fill it ere he go, If it be but with a fould of straw.
February fill Dike either with black or white.
Annotations
- February brings commonly rough Weather, either Snow or Rain.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.