Pronunciation: [bˈɒɹə͡ʊd dˈe͡ɪz] (IPA) 
"Borrowed days" is a phrase referring to the period between the end of the lunar calendar and the beginning of the solar calendar. In terms of pronunciation, the first syllable "bor" is pronounced with a short "o" sound, following the IPA transcription of /bɒr/. The second syllable "rowed" is pronounced with a diphthong of /aʊ/ and the final syllable "days" has a long "a" sound, represented by /deɪz/.
Borrowed days refers to the folklore surrounding the phenomenon where the last few days of March are unusually cold and wintry, despite the arrival of spring. This term is mostly used in British and Irish folklore and has connections to the concept of the "borrowing" or "lent" days.
According to folklore, these days were perceived as being "borrowed" from April by March, hence the name borrowed days. These days were considered a repayment for the fine weather that March had borrowed from April earlier on. It was believed that March fooled April into giving it some of its springtime warmth, resulting in a period of cold and inclement weather at the end of March. This sudden change in weather with cold temperatures, frost, or even snowfall was considered to be the "borrowed days" acting up.
The concept of borrowed days has been present in oral traditions and local customs for centuries. People would remark on these unexpected cold snaps and attribute them to the stolen time. In some areas, folklore even suggests that these were days during which witches and mischievous spirits were more active, adding a supernatural element to the occurrence. Despite not having any scientific basis, the idea of borrowed days has become ingrained in the cultural fabric of certain regions, serving as an explanation for the lingering winter weather even as the calendar dictates the arrival of spring.
