Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Did it rain last night?

Hey Folks,

Did it rain around your place last night? It did in Navi Mumbai after a prolonged dry spell. It did not just rain, it was rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. I don’t know about you folks but the smell of the earth after the first rains or after a long dry spell is one of the smells I just love. There is something quite earthy and romantic about it all. And as I was enjoying the thunder shower it occurred to me that there was a name for this kind of smell. That is when I decided that the theme for today should be rain.

A bit of digression, but I suspect I am getting on in years. I mean there was the rain, the thunder, the cool breeze and all I could think of was, “This is a nice theme, kal ke mail ke liye!!!” I think I should concentrate on other things too…. What say? ;-)

Anyhoo, down to brass tacks

Petrichor
The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.
Etymology:
From the Greek petro (rock) + ichor (the fluid that is supposed to flow in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology). This is a coined term. It was coined by two Australian researchers, I.J. Bear and R.G. Thomas, in 1964 for an article in the journal ‘Nature’.

Rainmaker
An executive or lawyer with a strong ability to bring in new business or to attract clients, especially through the use of influence and political connections.
A person believed to be able to cause rain either by magic or by science

Raincheck
A ticket for future use given to spectators at an outdoor event that has been postponed or interrupted by rain.
An offered or requested postponement of an invitation until a more convenient time.

Rain dance
No it is not what you think it is. Trust me. ;-)
A ritualistic dance performed by a tribal group to bring rain.
Any ceremonial action taken to correct a hardware problem, with the expectation that nothing will be accomplished. This especially applies to reseating printed circuit boards, reconnecting cables, etc.

Reign
Hold royal office; i.e. be King or Queen.
A period during which somebody is dominant or powerful.
Rein
This is one of a pair of long leather straps used to control a horse or other animals.

On that note,

Ciao

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