Over 150 Words For Ice and Snow? / myLot

United Kingdom

December 29, 2015 4:11pm CST

Just watching a television program on the bbc iplayer - All Aboard! The Sleigh Ride. Whilst not what you could class as exciting, it is very relaxing and enjoyable to view. It follows the path of an ancient postal route across the frozen wilderness of the Arctic, capturing the traditional world of the Sami people, for whom reindeer herding is still a way of life. There have been lots of interesting facts, but one which caught my attention was that the Sami people apparently have over 150 words for ice and snow. I must admit, I never knew that, but my husband claims he had heard that. So, was just wondering, how many people knew that. Did you know that? I guess though living there, having all those words for snow and ice must be both important and useful for them.

1 response

Peter B. Giblett

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

29 Dec 15

I knew that our local First Nations, the Iroquois tribe here in southern Ontario are reputed to have more than 15 words for snow. But with the snow I have experienced I am not surprised. I can think of the following types: * light/wet snow that melts in contact with the ground * heavy and wet snow that turns to ice if the ground freezes. * powdery snow that is perfect for ski slopes * sandy snow that blows across the countryside in the same way that sand blows in the dessert. and that is only the start.

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