Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris Does English use the wrong word for clouds? | WEATHER WORDS
Jul 23, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of weather language! Discover why meteorologists ignore meteors, and how we might be misnaming clouds. Uncover the intriguing history behind the term 'rain check' and why one host has an aversion to 'petrichor.' Explore regional variations in weather terminology, the rich vocabulary of Arctic languages, and the humorous origins of phrases like 'brass monkeys.' This whimsical journey brings life to the words that describe our atmosphere.
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Anemometer and Anemone Origins
- The device measuring wind is called an anemometer, derived from a Greek word for wind.
- The sea anemone's name means "daughter of the wind" because of its flowing shape.
Thursday Named After Thunder God
- The Old English word for thunder is "thunor", also the name of the god equivalent to Thor.
- Thursday is named after this god, literally meaning "Thursday is Thunder's day".
English Uses Wrong Word for Clouds
- The English word "cloud" originally meant a massive rock or hill, not a cloud in the sky.
- We should actually use "wolken" from West Germanic roots to mean clouds instead of "cloud".
