Word Of The Week #100
Word Of The Week -- pogonip
Definition: pog·o·nip (pŏg'&-nĭp')
n.A fog of ice particles that forms in the mountain valleys of the western U.S.
Etymology: [Shoshone: pakenappeh, thunder cloud.]
Obscurity: 95% (Come again?)
Usefulness: 5% (Anybody using this word is trying to confuse you, impress you, or both.)
Examples:
(def. 1) "The two weary travelers cautiously made their way through a bone-chilling pogonip that reduced visibility to almost zero."
I realize that #100 of just about anything is supposed to be something special, but I wasn't really feeling it today. So here's another reader submission from letsgomiah, who I believe came across it in a crossword puzzle or something awhile back.
We Chicagoans do tend to complain about our winter weather, sometimes in an overly melodramatic fashion. (And there are exceptions.) But speaking strictly for myself, I think we have legitimate cause this year, as this has easily been the worst winter since I returned to full-time Illinois residency in December of '01. Today's Trib points out, "[S]ince Dec. 1 Chicago has gone no longer than two days without snow, sleet, slush, hail, rain or some unspeakable mix of the above."
At this point, despite our lack of mountains or valleys, I don't think Chicagoans would be surprised if they threw a pogonip at us this year, too. C'mon, make with the spring, already!
--- Ajax.