Weather etymology

What is a Sun Dog? 10 incredible weather phenomena explained

Image: Igor Karimov

If you’ve ever stood out in the open witnessing a double rainbow, a scary gathering storm, or stroll-stopping halo, you probably know how surprising nature can be. It can leave us gaping at the sights as if we were in a movie, or beholding a supernatural scene. Some of the terms for these atmospheric events were chosen hundreds of years ago, before science was able to explain them. Today, most of these mysteries are solved, but only some of the names have been updated. Let’s dive into the terms and explanations behind these 10 weather phenomena!

Image: MillionPM

Sometimes, when ice crystals are present in the atmosphere, the sunlight is refracted to create the optical effect of two smaller suns flanking the Sun. Humans decided hundreds of years ago to call this sight "Sun Dogs", deriving from the verb "dog" as the action of following someone or something closely.

Sun dogs can be seen anywhere in the world, but are most visible when the sun is setting or dawning (when it is near the horizon) and cold weather has caused ice particles in the air. Other names for this vision are "mock sun" or "parhelion", deriving from the Greek para (beside) and Helios (sun).

Image: Straughan

Have you ever seen a "white rainbow"? That’s what fogbows look like. In fact, the two phenomena are related. While rainbows are caused by light interacting with raindrops, fogbows can be seen when the sun meets much smaller water droplets in fog, mist, or clouds, and the rays are diffracted. In other words, the light is smeared causing the optical illusion of a white arch in the sky.

The name of this phenomenon is straightforward: it is a bow caused by fog (fog-bow) as distinguished from a bow caused by rain (rain-bow).

Image: Arvid Høidahl

Maelstroms are large whirlpools: swirling bodies of water that can pull objects, people, and even small vessels into their center. Tides, seabeds, and meeting currents all contribute to forming them, so recurring systems of whirlpools can usually be charted in specific locations.

The word "maelstrom" comes from the Dutch words mael ("to grind") and strom ("stream"). It was first used to describe a specific whirlpool off the coast of Norway near the Lofoten Islands, which was notorious for its ferocity. The term has since become generalized to refer to any powerful whirlpool. The word became more popular in English after it appeared in Edgar Allan Poe's 1841 short story, "A Descent into the Maelström," which described a terrifying encounter with one.

Image: Levi Trimmer

Squall lines are a scary sight, and the etymology of their name is fitting. They form when a line of thunderstorms meets a cold front: they can extend for miles and bring with them heavy rain, hail, lightning, or even tornadoes.

"Squalls" are sudden and strong winds or storms. It is believed the origin of the word is related to the Old Norse skvala, which means "bawl", "shout", "outcry" or "squeal". These all seem adequate for the shocking appearance of an enormous wall of dark clouds looming overhead. The technical name for squall lines, however, is "quasi-linear convective systems" (QLCS).

Image: NOAA

An irisation looks like a rainbow caught inside a cloud. Another name for this phenomenon is "cloud iridescence." They are a beautiful optical effect where clouds display a spectrum of colors, reminding one of the shimmer seen sometimes on soap bubbles or oil slicks. Irisations happen when sunlight or moonlight diffracts around small water droplets or ice crystals in the cloud, scattering the light.

The term "iridescent" comes from the Latin word iris, meaning "rainbow," and the suffix -escent, indicating a process of change. The word literally means "becoming rainbow-colored."

Image: Marc Szeglat

Lightning within volcanic eruptions must be one of the most dramatic visions nature can grant. "Dirty thunderstorm" is the name given to the system of volcanic materials expelled in an eruption that can form lightning. When a volcano erupts, ash, gases, rock, and other matter ascend in a plume. If those particles collide, they generate static electricity which leads to lightning strikes.

The phrase "dirty thunderstorm" comes from the mixture of volcanic ash and gases that contribute to the lightning's formation. Volcanic lightning was observed and recorded as early as 79 AD, when Pliny the Younger wrote describing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Image: Espen Bierud

Eye-catching as they are, fair-weather waterspouts cause little harm. These look like tornadoes that form on top of bodies of water. In warm temperatures with high humidity, fog and air can ascend into rotating columns. Tornadic waterspouts are a different story: they are destructive tornadoes that move from land to water and are dangerous.

The term "waterspout" comes from the Old English word spoute, meaning a "jet" or "stream of liquid," combined with "water." Sometimes, the rotating columns of air can pick up fish, frogs, or other small aquatic animals, dropping them later on land: this is another strange but real phenomenon popularly known as "raining frogs." Pliny the Elder documented this event.

Image: Zoltan Tasi

What looks like a scene straight from a sci-fi movie is really an occurrence that many people catch in their lifetime. A faint rainbow within a more vibrant rainbow occurs when light undergoes two reflections inside water droplets. The best detail about these is that the colors are "mirrored" or inverted in each of the arches.

The word "rainbow" comes from the Old English regnboga, with regn meaning "rain" and boga meaning "bow" or "arch." Double rainbows have been marveled at since ancient times: the Greek philosopher Alexander of Aphrodisias first described the phenomenon, noting that the space between the two bows was darker. Hence, this dark band of sky is called "Alexander's band."

Image: John Doyle

Imagine walking in the woods on a cold winter morning and finding one of these on the ground. Then another one up in a branch. You would believe you just discovered an animal unknown to science, or some surreal celestial creature. The first time this sight was documented was in 1918, in German scientist Alfred Wegener’s notes. But its explanation wasn’t known until much later.

Hair ice was called that because that’s what it looked like. We’ve also called it "frost beard", "frost flower," or "ice wool." Very thin, highly delicate hair-like strands of ice, so sensitive that they would break or melt when touched. Today we know that it is formed from a combination of high humidity, temperatures just below freezing, and the presence of Exidiopsis effusa, a fungus found in decaying wood and makes ice crystallize in this shape instead of the usual way.

Image: Matthieu Joannon

A haboob is an intense dust or sandstorm that can arise suddenly and span over several miles. As much as it has been represented in movies or literature, haboobs are a real enough danger in arid or desert zones. When one rises, it can dramatically reduce visibility, cause respiratory issues, and provoke an eerie scene where the massive wall of dust coats over the landscape.

The term "haboob" comes from the Arabic word habūb meaning "strong wind" or "violent storm." The word originated in the Middle East and North Africa, where haboobs are common, but was later adopted meteorological vocabulary worldwide.

OBSCURE FASHION

10 Clothing Items from History That Have Faded into Fashion Oblivion

Image: Library of Congress

Fashion is likely the most dynamic realm of human culture, constantly evolving with time. While some trends endure, others soon fade into obscurity, leaving behind fascinating relics of bygone eras. In this article, we will delve into the annals of fashion history to unearth 10 intriguing clothing items that have largely vanished from modern wardrobes.

Image: Marieke Kuijjer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Crakowes, or poulaines, were long, exaggeratedly pointed shoes worn in the 15th century. These shoes were a symbol of status among the European elite, particularly in Poland and England. They featured long, pointed tips that often had to be tied to the wearer's legs to prevent tripping, an impractical feature that arguably showed that the wearer lived a life of leisure.

Image: Zdeněk Macháček

Zibellini, also known as flea furs, were small women's fashion accessories popular in the late Middle Ages. These strange clothing items consisted of the furs of small animals, such as minks or martens, and could be used hanging from the neck or just carried in the hands. Some zibellini were even fitted with jeweled adornments resembling the head of the animal.

Image: Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Public Domain

Farthingales were stiff, hoop-like structures worn under skirts during the Renaissance period to create a wide, bell-shaped silhouette. Made of whalebone or steel, these undergarments were markers of status and wealth and thus were common among court women. They eventually fell out of favor as fashion shifted towards slimmer silhouettes.

Image: Викидим, CC BY-SA 4.0

Who said platform shoes are a recent invention? Chopines were a type of platform shoes worn by women in the 15th to 17th centuries, primarily in Venice and Spain. The elevated footwear, sometimes reaching heights of up to 20 inches, was designed to protect the wearer's feet from mud and filth on the streets. However, their obvious impracticality led to their eventual decline in popularity.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

A smaller version of farthingales, crinolines were stiffened petticoats made of horsehair or steel hoops, worn in the mid-19th century to support wide skirts. These undergarments revolutionized fashion by allowing women to achieve voluminous skirts without the weight and discomfort of multiple layers of fabric. However, concerns about flammability hazards at a time when candle lighting and fireplaces were common contributed to their decline.

Image: jean-louis zimmermann, CC BY 2.0

Fichus were lightweight scarves or shawls worn around the neck and shoulders in the 19th century. These accessories were often elaborately embroidered or trimmed with lace and were considered essential for completing a lady's ensemble. While fichus added elegance to an outfit, they gradually fell out of favor as simpler and more practical clothing styles became popular.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

A shortening of "spatterdashes," spats were fabric or leather coverings worn over shoes and ankles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally designed to protect footwear from dirt and damage, spats evolved into a fashionable accessory for men, particularly in formal attire. However, as shoes became more durable and styles shifted, spats gradually lost their popularity.

Image: Marie-Lan Nguyen (Jastrow), CC BY 2.5

Bicornes were a type of hat worn by men in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Characterized by their distinctive two-pointed shape, bicornes were mostly associated with military uniforms during this period, often worn by army and naval officers. However, with the decline of formal headwear, bicornes gradually disappeared from everyday attire.

Image: Johannes Verspronck, Public domain

Yes, ruffs are those things that made people look just like a dog that has been taken to the vet. These elaborate collars were worn around the neck in the Renaissance and early modern periods. Made of starched linen or lace, they were often a symbol of wealth and status. As with many items on this list, as fashion evolved toward simpler styles, ruffs gradually fell out of favor and were replaced by more understated—and practical—neckwear.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

Snoods were a type of hairnet worn to confine and adorn women's hair during the medieval and Renaissance periods. These functional accessories were often embellished with jewels or embroidery, adding a touch of elegance to hairstyles. However, as hairstyles became more elaborate and varied in later periods, snoods gradually lost their usefulness and prominence.