E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ember Weeks.
A corruption of quat’uor tem’pora, through the Dutch quatemper and German quatember. The four times are after Quadragesima Sunday, Whit Sunday, Holyrood Day (September), and St. Lucia’s Day (December). The supposition that persons sat in embers (or ashes) on these days is without foundation.
