The British are fascinated by the weather. It’s a typical feature of daily small talk for all. Popular phrases peppering daily conversation include:
“It’s breezy today!”, “There is a chill in the air”, “It’s just tipping it down”, “It’s blowing a gale”.
“Do you know what the weather will be like today?” is one of the most well-used weather phrases. And indeed, the weather forecast plays a significant role in the UK. Michael Fish MBE is one the UK’s best know British weather forecaster. He became infamous in the wake of the Great Storm of 1987. On 15 October 1987, a few hours before the storm hit, he infamously said during a forecast: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!”. That evening, the worst storm to hit South East England since 1703 caused record damage and killed 18 people.
The UK is often characterised as a damp and windy island with unusually changeable weather. Recent weather here has done little to dispel this impression. This week heavy downpours and gale force winds caused flooding across the South West. There are warnings that five inches worth of rain, the equivalent of one month's worth, would fall. Scotland too is experiencing heavy rain and strong winds, causing flooding and transport disruption.
The Oxford Dictionaries blog have compiled a list of unusual meteorological terms to describe some very specific weather conditions. So, next time you want to join in weather small talk consider using one of the following words:
airish
Now chiefly Scottish and U.S. regional (south. and south Midland). Of weather: cool, fresh, breezy, chilly.
dreich
Scottish. (especially of weather) dreary; bleak.
letty
Now English regional (Somerset). That lets or hinders. Chiefly of weather: making outdoor work difficult; rainy.
maumy
Scottish and English regional (chiefly north.). Mellow; soft and insipid; (of weather) mild, humid.
mizzle
Chiefly dialect. Light rain; drizzle.
mochy
Scottish and Irish English (north.).Damp, moist. Of weather: damp and misty; muggy.
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“It’s breezy today!”, “There is a chill in the air”, “It’s just tipping it down”, “It’s blowing a gale”.
“Do you know what the weather will be like today?” is one of the most well-used weather phrases. And indeed, the weather forecast plays a significant role in the UK. Michael Fish MBE is one the UK’s best know British weather forecaster. He became infamous in the wake of the Great Storm of 1987. On 15 October 1987, a few hours before the storm hit, he infamously said during a forecast: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!”. That evening, the worst storm to hit South East England since 1703 caused record damage and killed 18 people.
The UK is often characterised as a damp and windy island with unusually changeable weather. Recent weather here has done little to dispel this impression. This week heavy downpours and gale force winds caused flooding across the South West. There are warnings that five inches worth of rain, the equivalent of one month's worth, would fall. Scotland too is experiencing heavy rain and strong winds, causing flooding and transport disruption.
The Oxford Dictionaries blog have compiled a list of unusual meteorological terms to describe some very specific weather conditions. So, next time you want to join in weather small talk consider using one of the following words:
airish
Now chiefly Scottish and U.S. regional (south. and south Midland). Of weather: cool, fresh, breezy, chilly.
dreich
Scottish. (especially of weather) dreary; bleak.
letty
Now English regional (Somerset). That lets or hinders. Chiefly of weather: making outdoor work difficult; rainy.
maumy
Scottish and English regional (chiefly north.). Mellow; soft and insipid; (of weather) mild, humid.
mizzle
Chiefly dialect. Light rain; drizzle.
mochy
Scottish and Irish English (north.).Damp, moist. Of weather: damp and misty; muggy.
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