It can thus be assumed that, since such fine days were almost invariably followed by foul weather, the English folk saw a weather-breeder as a bad omen.Ĭollins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012 weather This expression originated in England, where the weather is predominately dank and overcast.

Weather-breeder A day of unseasonably or otherwise exceptionally magnificent weather, formerly thought to be a harbinger of an approaching storm a daylong respite in a period of inclement weather. Even though the temperatures in the temperate climate of the United States do not plunge nearly as low as they do in polar regions, the expression has nonetheless become a popular American colloquialism for the coldest winter nights. Thus, a night which requires the warmth of three dogs is a frigid night indeed. This expression is derived from the Eskimos, who purportedly measure the cold by determining how many dogs are necessary to keep them warm during the night. (David Humphreys, The Yankey in England, 1815) I’ll be even with you, if it rains pitchforks-tines downwards. The expression has been figuratively extended to include a great onrush or outpouring of anything. An especially violent gully washer is sometimes jocularly called a gully whomper.

This American colloquialism, particularly common in the Texas-Oklahoma area, was obviously coined because of the swirling rush of water through gullies during such storms. Gully washer A very heavy rainstorm, a downpour. The term has been in use since the early 16th century. The origin of the name has also long been associated with the popular superstition that during this particular time of the year dogs were most apt to go mad. The name dog days (Latin dies caniculares) derives from the ancient belief that the customary sultriness and un-wholesomeness of this season were due to the influence of the Dog Star. These are supposedly the days when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun. The whine of wind and rattle of rain and the thunder rolling terribly loud and near overhead like a thousand beer trucks roaring over the bridge -John Dos Passosĭog days The most oppressively hot, uncomfortable, and unhealthy time of the year the height of summer, usually calculated to be from about July 3 to August 11.

The weather was like a waiter with a tray -Wallace Stevens.Weather in towns is like a skylark in a counting-house, out of place and in the way -Jerome K.Weather … cool and gray as wash water -George Garrett.The weather clings, like a low fever you cannot shake off -Angela Carter.The storm crashes like god-wars -Hayden Carruth.Rain and thaw took its place, and now the world looks about as pleasing as a wet cat -John Wainwright.The humidity … slapped me in the face like a mugger’s glove -Loren D.Humidity … dropped down over the city like a damp serge cloak -Carlos Baker.Frost made the sunny air seem like a bright keen knife -Howard Spring.The elements are but as qualities that change forever, like all things that have known generation -Dame Edith Sitwell.The chilly, drizzly June day smelled like a basement -Marge Piercy.See Also: CLOUD(S), COLDNESS, ENTRANCES/EXITS, FOG, HEAT, MIST, RAIN, SUN, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING, WIND

Newton weather pronunciation