January and May: The Tale of May-December Romances 🌸
Hello, dear reader! Let’s embark on a charming, humorous journey through the timeless (& somewhat taboo) world of May-December romances. Hold on to your bonnets and bow ties!
Definition
January and May: A phrase used to describe a relationship between a young individual (May) and a much older partner (January), originated from Chaucer’s The Merchant’s Tale.
May-December Romance: An updated version of the same idea, symbolizing a relationship between a young person (May) and a much older person (December), established in the early 1600s.
Synonyms
- Winter-Spring Romance
- Uptown/Downtown Affair
- Frost-and-Blossom Relationship
- Oedipal Undertones (Just kidding… sort of)
Antonyms
- Age-Appropriate Pairing: A relationship between partners of similar ages.
- Cultural Couplings: Relationships characterized more by cultural rather than chronological differences.
Funny Quotes
- “Age before beauty… except when beauty is chasing age!”
- “When autumn meets spring, expect some interesting conversations on bedtime.”
Inspirational Proverbs
- “Age is just a number.” –Everyone who’s ever dated an older person, probably.
- “Love knows no bounds—or birth years!”
Similar Terms and Phrases
- Cougar (though this typically refers to older women pursuing younger men)
- Sugar Daddy/Momma (a bit less romantic, but hey, it’s related)
Suggested Reading and Movies
Books:
- The Merchant’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer: Dive into where it all started.
- Lady Susan by Jane Austen: Because who doesn’t love Austen’s take on complex romances?
Movies:
- Harold and Maude: An eccentric film that perfectly captures this trope.
- The Graduate: Remember Mrs. Robinson.
Related Literature
- Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”, making even more sense now.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: while not directly about May-December, it teases the idea of age and beauty beautifully.
Songs
- Young Girl by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (Fun fact: it’s uncomfortable if you really think about the lyrics).
- Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number by Aaliyah: A somewhat controversial but relevant track.
Thought-Provoking Reflection
Whether January meets May or December embraces May, the emotional harmony transcends age—and societal expectations. Venture beyond the frost of societal prejudice towards the sweet, often misunderstood aroma of these relationships. ❤️✨
Farewell Thought
As Thomas Dekker subtly discouraged forcing May to embrace December, let’s pause and respect the myriad forms that love snags and delights us all. Remember, warmth can indeed flourish in the winter, against all frosty odds.
- W. T. Wittywords
