Dave Ludlow wrote:
On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 13:57:39 -0000, "Steve"
wrote:


"Succorso" wrote in message
...

Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek god of
the westerly wind.

Correct, a zepher is a _gentle_ westerly breeze. So they were wrong on two
counts!


Adding to my earlier post, it now seems that the full meaning of the
Met Office's forecast was "a light easterly light westerly". Hmmm....


LOL

In other words variable light wind. I hope I'm understanding correctly. :-/

--
Joe
Wolverhampton
175m asl

"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or, yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

As with any physical exhibitionist, sir or madam, people
will only be impressed if you offer us a perfect specimen,
otherwise you will be laughed at.

And, sweetie, you ain't perfect, trust me.

Philip Eden

"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or, yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

As with any physical exhibitionist, sir or madam, people
will only be impressed if you offer us a perfect specimen,
otherwise you will be laughed at.

And, sweetie, you ain't perfect, trust me.

Philip Eden

"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or, yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

As with any physical exhibitionist, sir or madam, people
will only be impressed if you offer us a perfect specimen,
otherwise you will be laughed at.

And, sweetie, you ain't perfect, trust me.

Philip Eden

"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or, yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

As with any physical exhibitionist, sir or madam, people
will only be impressed if you offer us a perfect specimen,
otherwise you will be laughed at.

And, sweetie, you ain't perfect, trust me.

Philip Eden

Philip Eden wrote:
"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site
includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek
god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or,
yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

I always associate the word with this passage:
"Whan Zephyrus eke with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sunne
Hath in the ram (ie Aries) his half course yrunne"

(Canterbury Tales)

Definitely points to a "soft or gentle" breeze here, as it refers to
early spring it may imply a change from cold easterlies to "sweete"
mild winds that promote growth. This page translates it as "the west
wind of spring"
http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/EngL...e/prologue.htm


Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

A self-conscious archaism to me.

Edmund

Philip Eden wrote:
"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site
includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek
god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or,
yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

I always associate the word with this passage:
"Whan Zephyrus eke with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sunne
Hath in the ram (ie Aries) his half course yrunne"

(Canterbury Tales)

Definitely points to a "soft or gentle" breeze here, as it refers to
early spring it may imply a change from cold easterlies to "sweete"
mild winds that promote growth. This page translates it as "the west
wind of spring"
http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/EngL...e/prologue.htm


Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

A self-conscious archaism to me.

Edmund

Philip Eden wrote:
"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site
includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek
god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or,
yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

I always associate the word with this passage:
"Whan Zephyrus eke with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sunne
Hath in the ram (ie Aries) his half course yrunne"

(Canterbury Tales)

Definitely points to a "soft or gentle" breeze here, as it refers to
early spring it may imply a change from cold easterlies to "sweete"
mild winds that promote growth. This page translates it as "the west
wind of spring"
http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/EngL...e/prologue.htm


Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

A self-conscious archaism to me.

Edmund

Philip Eden wrote:
"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site
includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek
god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or,
yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

I always associate the word with this passage:
"Whan Zephyrus eke with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sunne
Hath in the ram (ie Aries) his half course yrunne"

(Canterbury Tales)

Definitely points to a "soft or gentle" breeze here, as it refers to
early spring it may imply a change from cold easterlies to "sweete"
mild winds that promote growth. This page translates it as "the west
wind of spring"
http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/EngL...e/prologue.htm


Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

A self-conscious archaism to me.

Edmund

In article .com,
dated Fri, 25 Mar 2005, Edmund Lewis wrote

Philip Eden wrote:
"Succorso" wrote:
Tonights forecast for the Eastern Counties on the UKMO site
includes the
phrase "a light easterly zephyr". I thought Zephyr was the Greek
god of
the westerly wind...

Well, aksherly, it was Zephyros or Zephyrus, depending on your
transliteration. Words don't always mean what their etymology or
origin might suggest. Take "explain", "translate", "October", or,
yes,
even "ether". The word 'zephyr' has not meant 'west wind' in
English for a very long time ... merely 'a soft or gentle breeze'.
Even so, there is an element of tautology in 'light zephyr'. And
I'm not sure I'd call any easterly wind, especially at night in
March, 'soft' or 'gentle'.

I always associate the word with this passage:
"Whan Zephyrus eke with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sunne
Hath in the ram (ie Aries) his half course yrunne"

(Canterbury Tales)

Definitely points to a "soft or gentle" breeze here, as it refers to
early spring it may imply a change from cold easterlies to "sweete"
mild winds that promote growth. This page translates it as "the west
wind of spring"
http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/EngL...e/prologue.htm

And Petrarch's

Zefiro torna, e'l bel tempo rimena,
e i fiori e l'erbe, sua dolce famiglia,
e garrir Progne, e pianger Filomena,
e primavera candida e vermiglia.

Return, Zephyr, and bring back the fine weather
and the flowers and the grass, his sweet companions,
and the twittering of the swallow and the lament of the nightingale,
and the brilliant and blushing spring.


Whatever, zephyr is one of those words that it is difficult
to use other than self-consciously. This anonymous
prognosticator-scribe (see what I mean about self-conscious
writing?), who we are given to understand reads these
threads, is a too-clever-by-half exhibitionist.

A self-conscious archaism to me.

'Fraid so.

--
Kate B

PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne if you want
to reply personally