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pet day
DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)
n. — Outdoors
a sunny day during a period of poor weather, sometimes thought to precede a storm.
Type: 2. Preservation — Pet day is a preservation from Scottish or Irish English. OED-3 lists the term as originally Scottish (see OED-3, s.v. "pet day"), however EDD lists it as Irish (see EDD s.v. "pet" (2)), and it is found in DHE and described as "Galway", although with "origin obscure" (see DHE, s.v. "pet day").
ITP Nelson lists the term as "Prince Edward Island" (see ITP-Nelson, s.v. "pet day"), but quotations suggest that it has currency across much of the Maritimes, including New Brunswick (see, e.g. the 2002 quotation), Newfoundland (the 1998 quotation), Nova Scotia (the 1891 quotation), and the Magdalen Islands (the 2006 quotation).
A slight semantic shift may have taken place in the Canadian usage. EDD, DHE and OED-3 define the term in similar ways as a sunny day during a period of otherwise poor weather, while in DPEIE, pet day denotes a fine day that is thought to precede a storm. DNE defines the term more like OED-3, but the quotations under the headword include the DPEIE meaning (see DNE, s.v. "pet").
ITP Nelson lists the term as "Prince Edward Island" (see ITP-Nelson, s.v. "pet day"), but quotations suggest that it has currency across much of the Maritimes, including New Brunswick (see, e.g. the 2002 quotation), Newfoundland (the 1998 quotation), Nova Scotia (the 1891 quotation), and the Magdalen Islands (the 2006 quotation).
A slight semantic shift may have taken place in the Canadian usage. EDD, DHE and OED-3 define the term in similar ways as a sunny day during a period of otherwise poor weather, while in DPEIE, pet day denotes a fine day that is thought to precede a storm. DNE defines the term more like OED-3, but the quotations under the headword include the DPEIE meaning (see DNE, s.v. "pet").
Quotations
1891
Whether this is owing to the fine day, or whether our lady friends are indebted for the large number of callers to the popularity of Government House arousing the masculine mind to a sense of duty - or pleasure - we know not. At any rate the men were out, and went the rounds to their friends' houses. It is a commendable fashion, and we are glad to see it being revived. New Year's Day last year was also a pet day, and the outdoor skating was good.
1939
"Such a lovely day... made for us," said Diana. "I'm afraid it's a pet day, though... there'll be rain tomorrow."
2002
The last time I was there was on Dec. 23. It was warm and with the sun low on the horizon, everything was painted with the warm colours of winter sunlight. North, across the still unfrozen Restigouche, I could see the red fossil hills of Miguasha in Quebec and the towering mountains of the Gaspé. To the east stretched the cool blue waters of the Bay of Chaleur and to the south and east, the New Brunswick coast faded into the heavens.
No doubt about it, this was what we here in the north of New Brunswick call a pet day. To really experience the wonder of the area, however, I would recommend a warm and sunny summer evening in June, July or August. Take a blanket or sit on the grass and just soak up your surroundings until the light fades to black.
2006
Many horrendous storms have ravaged this coast, but on this day our group has experienced what the Madelinots call a "pet" day -- the water has been dead calm.
That evening, on the way to dinner, we stop at Millerand lighthouse to catch the sunset. "Look! Whales!" shouts one of my travelling companions. In evening's soft light several minke whales breach just offshore. We stand in knee-high grass that ripples in the wind and revel in this Magdalen moment. It's been a pet day all right.
References
- OED-3
- DNE
- DPEIE
- EDD
- ITP Nelson
- DHE