Weather has always been with us, so is almost synonymous with time. The word weather comes from the Old English weder, from the Old Norse vethr. The Latin tempestas meant weather and also meant time, and words for time also came to mean weather in Irish and Polish. In fact, words for weather were originally words for time in many languages.
To weather means to come through safely, such as a storm or a crisis. Climate comes from the Greek klinein meaning to lean, referring to the slope of the Earth from equator to pole.
We often use the weather to describe how we feel, and its not surprising when you think that in the past, when these expressions originated, people were far more in touch with nature. They worked outdoors and the change of seasons affected their lives more than it does nowadays.
If we radiate good humour, we are said to have a sunny disposition, being reserved or aloof is described as icy, and a violent, stormy nature is tempestuous.
A casual light-hearted approach is said to be breezy.
Being under the weather means youre not feeling well. This may be a nautical expression. The sailor who had to keep watch on the bow taking all the pounding and spray was said to be under the weather bow he may have felt quite unwell after a stint of that!
To make heavy weather of something is to do something with more effort than necessary. To make hay while the sun shines is to make the most of the situation.
Happy puzzling, rain, hail or shine …
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