How do you count the number of days in Lent?

I have to preface this post that I am not a theologian, nor a priest, nor have gone to formal religious education. I am just an average Catholic who goes to mass on Sundays and special days. 

I have always thought there are 40 days in Lent. What with Lenten hymns like "The Glory of these Forty Days", "Lord, Who Throughout these Forty Days", "Forty Days and Forty Nights", I was conditioned to think there are 40 days in Lent. 

When Father Martin de Porres Griffin said in his homily (Go to http://acc-homilies.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-journey-homily-by-father-martin-de.html) "40 days from Ashes to Easter," I began counting. 

This year's Ash Wednesday was on the 17th of February and Easter Sunday falls on April 4. If you count the number of days, including both days, there are 47 days! 

What gives? Let's start the discussion rolling!