spindrift
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What is the word of the day and how is it pronounced?
It's the word of the day podcast for August first. Today's word is spindrift, spelled as one word, S-P-I-N-D-R-I-F-T. Spindrift is a noun. It refers to spray blown from waves during a gale, or to fine, wind-borne snow or sand.
How is spindrift used in a literary example from The Guardian?
Here's the word used in a sentence from the guardian. White capped waves crash far below the cliffs and sweep out to the horizon. Spindrift tosses up many rainbows and creamy plumes of sea froth float up and over. Spindrift first set sail in English in the early nineteenth century, under Scottish command, The Scots had by that point been using speedrift for well over a century.
What is the historical origin of spindrift and its Scottish roots?
Their verb speed spelled SPEN means to rush forcefully along with a strong wind. So speedrift was Referred to a drift of salty sea spray during such sailing. In the eighteen twenties, English speakers recruited the word but signed it up as spindrift. At that time, its sole duty was to refer to the driving spray at sea.
How has the meaning of spindrift expanded to land‑based contexts today?
By the mid twentieth century, English speakers realized that spindrift had potential to serve on land as well, and the word was sent ashore to be used for wind borne snow and sand. Today spindrift still serves the language commendably by land and by sea. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sogolowski. Visit MarionWebster dot com today for definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the word of the day and how is it pronounced?
0:06–0:28
2
How is spindrift used in a literary example from The Guardian?
0:28–0:57
3
What is the historical origin of spindrift and its Scottish roots?
0:57–1:24
4
How has the meaning of spindrift expanded to land‑based contexts today?
1:24–1:55