English Explanatory Dictionary

ne'er cast a clout till May be out

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. Do not change from winter clothes to summer clothes until June, as there is often a sudden cold snap in May.

Pronunciation

/nɛə ˌkɑːst‿ə ˈklaʊt tɪl ˌmeɪ biː ˈaʊt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ne'er cast a clout till May be out.wav /nɛəɹ ˌkæst‿ə ˈklaʊt tɪl ˌmeɪ bi ˈaʊt/

Word forms

ne'er cast a clout till May be out cast not a clout till May be out

Etymology

Ne’er is a contraction of never; while clout is an archaic or dialectal word for a (worthless) piece of cloth or a rag, and is used to refer to clothing in a derogatory manner.

Related words

one swallow does not a summer make
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