saying

[subofficer]

never cast a clout till may is out

[Fibonacci]

"Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out"
Clout is from an Old English word for cloth or clothing, and the saying is a reminder not to be too quick to remove the winter woollies(warm clothing) before the chilly days of May are over.

[shaneystar2]

As above ..but I was always led to believe it was until the may blossom appears on the trees.

[Argee]

I think you are both right. May is another name for the hawthorn which blossoms in May. F.K. Robinson's Whitby Glossary (1855) has

The wind at North and East/Was never good for man nor beast/So never think to cast a clout/Until the month of May be out.

You pays your money and you takes your choice!

[shaneystar2]

Well...by the look of it folks we won't be casting any clouts at all for a while yet if the weather doesn't warm up soon !
I had to wear extra clouts today as it has been so cold !!

[subofficer]

Thanks everyone for your trouble. Argee very good reply. I was not sure if it was till the blossom went or came.

Regards all.

Subofficer.