Zephyrs and Willy-gwillies

   

The four ancient Greek winds were Boreas (N wind); Eurus (E wind); Notus (S wind); and Zephyrus (W wind). From the letter we get the English word zephyr which means a gentle breeze or a westerly wind.

Around the world there are many local winds with their own special names. Amongst these are:-

Auster - also known as Sirocco - a hot dusty wind that blows from North Africa to S Europe.

Levanter - An easterly wind in the west Mediterranean in late summer.

Föhn - a warm dry wind down the N Alps.

Mistral - a cold dry wind down the Rhone and other S French valleys.

A willy-gwilly is the name given to an Australian dust-storm or cyclone.

Asseverate

   
To asseverate is to declare earnestly, seriously, or positively; to affirm.

An asseveration is an assertion: a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary).

Merrythought

   
A merrythought is the furcula or wishbone of a fowl's breast.

The term 'Merrythought' is thought to have come from the happy thoughts one has while breaking a wishbone.

Euonym

   
A euonym is a pleasing or beautiful name.

The opposite is a caconym - a bad name for anything; a name which is in any way undesirable or objectionable.

Poecilonym

   
A poecilonym is a word that means the same thing as another word. So poecilonym is a poecilonym for synonym!

Abditive

   
Abditive means remote, secret or hidden.

Accubation

   
Accubation is the act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.

Metronymy

   
Metronymy is the system of naming after the mother's or female line in a family.

Agelast

   
An agelast is one who never laughs; a mirthless person.

He or she is definitely not an abderian!

Abderian

   
An abderian is a person given to foolish or excessive laughter.