Who knows? Sometimes one of these new words may help you solve a hard crossword puzzle, win a trivia game, or even add to a poem to give it some extra flair!
Petrichor
Use: “Nothing beats the petrichor in the morning as the dew fades.”
Petrichor is the name of the smell of rain on dry earth. The word comes from the Greek words “petros” which means rock, and “ichor” which means the fluid that runs through the veins of the gods. The smell derives from an oil exuded by certain plants during dry periods, whereupon it is adsorbed (another word you probably didn’t know – definition) by clay-based soils and rocks. During rain, the oil is released into the air along with another compound, geosmin, producing the distinctive scent.
I've always loved that smell, but never before did I even imagine there was a name for it! Cool, isn't it?
Coffee out on the patio this morning. Maybe it will sprinkle and cool us all off a bit!
10 comments:
Always learning something new here, Mr. Hermit! Love the scent of our woods after a good rain. How about I bring a big box of jelly donuts?
If English doesn't have a word for something, they'll happily steal one from another language. That's what makes it so rich.
Bubba - You've come up with 2 really good ones this morning! Love both words (and the smell)and I'll try to remember them for future use.
Always a dekight to share some coffee with my big brudder ~ and jelly doughnuts? Bonus!!
Big hugs -
I love that smell and what a cool word! My favorite word is plethora and I am surprised at how many people do not know what it means. Wish I could be there for coffee, but, alas, it would be quite cold by the time I showed up.
I was aware of the process but did not know it was called adsorption. Have always loved that smell. I'll be happy to join you on the patio for coffee and wait for the rain.
No chance of smelling that around here this summer, too wet. There is nothing like the rain after a long dry period, it smells good, not sure if that is what the word describes though.
In the desert it smells soooo good after a rain. Of course it has rained so much lately you just don't smell it as much.
I'll have a quick cup before I hit the road.
I love the smell of rain in the spring when the wild cherry trees are in bloom. It knocks the scent down closer to the ground. Mmmmm. Now I want a piece of cherry pie with my coffee!
I do love that smell and can't say I've heard that word before :-) But I have heard adsorbed before!
Have a great day!
Christer.
Hey Phyllis...
I'm always happy to share anything I pick up along the way. More fun to share new stuff!
Bring on those donuts!
Thanks for coming over today!
Hey Sixbears...
It is indeed a rich language and I guess that's what makes it hard to translate for some folks!
Thanks for the visit this morning!
Hey Sis...
Something a little different today, huh?
Talking about that smell makes me want to go camping! That's when I noticed it the most!
Thanks for coming over today, sis!
Hey Sharon...
That smell is like the smell of fresh mowed hay! Hard to
Forget!
Many thanks for coming by today!
Hey Linda...
Strange to put a name to a process that we have known for a lifetime, isn't it?
Thanks for dropping by today!
Hey Sunnybrook...
Too wet at your house and too dry here! Seems like we should be able to meet in the middle somewhere!
I sure appreciate the visit today!
Hey Jo...
Today is the day you go after the camper, isn't it?
Good luck with that!
Thanks, sweetie, for the visit this morning!
Hey Hermit Ladee...
You would have to mention cherry pie! Now I want some!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Hey Christer...
You probably have that smell a lot because of living out where you live.
Maybe you can use that word soon!
Thanks for coming by today!
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