Linguistic differences in the fall.

[sggaunt]

Our summer weather in the UK has gone downhill after a good start.
The Weather people are now describing it as autumnal.

I got to thinking what do you say in the USA, Fallish?
That seems unlikely?
In fact if you type 'define autumnal' into Google you get a [correct] definition from Princeton University!


Steve: Delphi a feersum engin indeed.

 

[KenCunningham]

Hi Steve, I think the Americans use autumnal too, though no doubt that will be confirmed or otherwise shortly. As far as I know, 'fall' was the original British version too, before autumn took over.

Incidentally, as a good Yorkshireman you're no doubt aware that 'back end' is pretty common there, particularly in the rural parts of North Yorkshire.

All I ask of you
Is make my wildest dreams come true

 

[Thadeus]

If I were writing I would either use autumnal or use a sentence structure that 'Fall' would fit (eg The weather feels a bit like Fall lately).

I still use autumnal when speaking of the equinox as well.

Which begs the question: Would you expect your weather people to describe mild weather in January as rather vernal?

~Thadeus

 

[Ed2020]

<snip> Which begs the question: Would you expect your weather people to describe mild weather in January as rather vernal? <snip>

No - living in England we're lucky to get weather that can be described as vernal in the spring (or summer, come to that), let alone January.

Ed Metcalfe.

Please do not feed the trolls.....

 

[flapeyre]

Fall-like" would be what I'd say.

"Autumnal", I have heard only in combination with "equinox".

"Sweater weather" is another (although the TV folks don't use it much, as it's a notorious tounge-twister).

Feles mala! Cur cista non uteris? Stramentum novum in ea posui!

 

[SantaMufasa]

"Sweater weather" is another

Just like "There's no crying in baseball,"...There are no sweaters in England...they're either pull-ovahs or joompahs.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[Lunatic]

Fall/Autumn-like" and "an early fall/autumn" are the two I hear most commonly.

I don't think I've ever heard autumnal.

 

[KenCunningham]

Indeed Dave, as in The Fast Show:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/fastshow/characters/ron_manager.shtml

Eeee, now when I were a lad....

All I ask of you
Is make my wildest dreams come true

 

[SantaMufasa]

Right, mate !

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[donbott]

I just call it football weather

DonBott

 

[SantaMufasa]

That would work, DonBott, if we didn't have (American) Arena Football that is a Springtime activity (February 1 - April 1) and the international (soccer) Football season going virtually year 'round.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[mjldba]

I've been known to utter "The air is getting crisp" as September arrives, usually followed by "and that means %#$&^*% winter isn't too far behind. Time to get the snowthrower ready".

Only better predictor of fall/winter seasons is the appearance of Halloween decor & Christmas lights at the Big Lots store ... in August.

Agree with donbott, it's football weather but, because we're all somewhat geocentric in our thinking, no one ever inserts the "American / Canadian / European ..." qualifier.

Personally, I love the TV shot from high in the endzone where they pan the crowd and continue panning to the trees and hills outside the stadium to show the viewers the breath-taking blaze of colors.

 

[Gooser]

Fall has fallen?

Or has it fell?

 

[SantaMufasa]

Gooser, I believe that the past participle for "fall" is "felon".

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[GwydionM]

What about south of the equator? Is winter just ending for them?

------------------------------
An old man who lives in the UK

 

[Gooser]

Santa, as in, the guy who took the fall or the fall guy?

 

[ChrisHunt]

I think the current official US Presidential term would be "Fallificated". At least if Jon Culshaw has anything to do with it.

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[2ffat]

It seems to me that the "Weather Reporters" around here always refer to Fall/Autumn as "Indian Spring" even if we have an autumn snowfall. (Aren't you glad I didn't say fall snowfall?)


James P. Cottingham
-----------------------------------------
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]

 

[rjoubert]

Actually, wouldn't it be an Autumnal snowfall?

 

[stackdump]

I saw a program on TV last night which was on one of the Orkney Islands (far north of Scotland). The weather pattern was described as nine months of howling winter followed by three months of bad weather.

A hardy race the Orkneyonians, or is it Orkneyers, or maybe Orkenyites, anyway whatever their called...