The seasons of ‘hot feet’ and ‘distant thunder’
by Melissa Mohr
Apr 03, 2023
2 minutes
In many languages, words for the seasons highlight a key characteristic of the natural world at that time of year. This connection is sometimes obvious, as we saw last week with New England’s semiserious “mud season” and “stick season.”
In many European languages, and , respectively – derive ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root that means “burn, fire.” , , and – Spanish, Italian, and French for “winter” – come from a PIE root that means “frost, snow.” Russian and many other Slavic languages got their word for winter, , from the same root.
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days