May [OE] Maia was one of the seven daughters of the Titan *Atlas in Greek mythology. In Roman mythology she came to be identified with Maia Majesta, a goddess of fertility and of the spring, who is said to have given her name to the month of May. Since the late Middle Ages may has also been a name for hawthorn blossom or the hawthorn, which in Britain typically flowered in May, although global warming has brought this forward. Many people believe that the proverb warning us not to leave off old or warm clothes until the end of May, ne’er cast a clout till May be out, refers to hawthorn blossom, but the first recorded example makes it clear that the word applies to the month. May Day has been known since the 13th century as a time for springtime festivities and the election of a pretty girl as May queen or Queen of the May to preside over them. In some countries it is now a holiday in honour of working people. The international radio distress signal Mayday [1920s] is a representation of French m’aider, short for venez m’aider ‘come and help me’.