| Summary: | straighten v _THE LONG HUNGRY MONTH OF MARCH_ .Why March? In the late fall the fishermen, as was customary, would _straighten up_. This means that they would go in and sit down with the merchant to check their credits and debits for the season. If there were a favorable balance, this would be used to buy provisions for the winter. Usually, for most people, these provisions would last until about the last of February. No credit was allowed before April 1st. As a result, on many occasions March month saw many people merely existing. Hence, the long hungry month of March. JH 6/71 Used I and Sup Used I and Sup Not used SQUARE UP, straighten up, straighten out [see 'settle up', etc.] 'fixed up'
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