Words of the day 2

[peteyoung]

Today I heard the expression "Pearl Harbor" used, as in "It's a bit Pearl Harbor out there today." The root isn't that difficult to figure out... has anyone else heard this? (more likely if you're in London, I expect).

Comments

[purplecthulhu]

Since Pearl Harbour is in Hawaii, I'd've thought it was a bit cold for that...

[peteyoung]

Think Japanese...

[mr_tom]

Yes, I've heard that. Can't remember where, though.

[holyoutlaw]

Is it a reference to how hard it's raining?

If I were to hear that phrase, I'd think "Pearl Harbor" was being used as a metaphor for catastrophe.

[peteyoung]

There's some associative thinking involved, not far removed from Cockney Rhyming Slang: Pearl Harbor; Japanese; Nips; nippy; cold. I expect most Brits, especially Londoners, would be able to figure it out fairly quickly.

[peteyoung]

There's a nip in the air, as they said at Pearl Harbour

I'd not heard that, and it's probably a more straightforward explanation.