throughnthrough

Word of the Day:
williwaw: (n) 1.a sudden violent gust of cold land air common along mountainous coasts of high latitude 2. a violent commotion

In 1900, Capt. Joshua Slocum described williwaws as "compressed gales of wind...that Boreas handed down over the hills in chunks." To unsuspecting sailors or pilots, such winds might seem to come out of nowhere-- just as the word "williwaw" did some 150 years ago. All anyone knows about the origin of the word is that it was first used by writers in the mid-1800s to name fierce winds in the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America. The writers were British, and indications are that they may have learned the word from British sailors and seal hunters. Where they got the word, we cannot say.

my daddy has a plane- how impressed he will be if i use this in a sentence!? not to mention where it came from...i'm such a daddy's girl, but i still get a kick out of his praise. He would certainly already know the word though- he is:...a very intelligent, though pompous sort of man.