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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
"Balmy" and Humidity
Hi. A friend and I are having an argument. I believe that "balmy," when it's used in connection with the weather, e.g. a balmy breeze, implies a certain degree of (not excessive) humidity in addition to a moderate temperature. A warm island breeze could be balmy, but a very dry (though temperate) desert breeze could not be.
The dictionary of course does not get into such specifics, though I feel that the word's derivation from balm, which one thinks of as a moist substance, and the word's actual usage, support my contention.
Any ideas? Thanks.
The dictionary of course does not get into such specifics, though I feel that the word's derivation from balm, which one thinks of as a moist substance, and the word's actual usage, support my contention.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Top answer
Balm - something that soothes relieves or heals physically or emotionally. Balmy - having the qualities of balm; soothing or mild. I would say you are right - sat on a beach in the hotsun, a breeze with a reasonable amount of humidity is likely to provide comfort and remove heat from the skins surface, without moisture.
- Balm - something that soothes relieves or heals physically or emotionally.
- Balmy - having the qualities of balm; soothing or mild.
- I would say you are right - sat on a beach in the hotsun, a breeze with a reasonable amount of humidity is likely to provide comfort and remove heat from the skins surface, without moisture.
- A dry wind lacking in moisture will tend to dehydrate the body and chap the skin and thus not be soothing ie not balmy.
- Finally, I'm not sure on your use of "temperate" - to me this means not excessive - ie our northern European climate is temperate and so breezes are likely to be balmy !
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3 Answers
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Balm - something that soothes relieves or heals physically or emotionally.
Balmy - having the qualities of balm; soothing or mild.
I would say you are right - sat on a beach in the hotsun, a breeze with a reasonable amount of humidity is likely to provide comfort and remove heat from the skins surface, without moisture. A dry wind lacking in moisture will tend to dehydrate the body an
Balmy - having the qualities of balm; soothing or mild.
I would say you are right - sat on a beach in the hotsun, a breeze with a reasonable amount of humidity is likely to provide comfort and remove heat from the skins surface, without moisture. A dry wind lacking in moisture will tend to dehydrate the body an
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[nq:1]Hi. A friend and I are having an argument. I believe that "balmy," when it's used in connection with the ... balm, which one thinks of as a moist substance, and the word's actual usage, support my contention. Any ideas? Thanks.[/nq]
I believe "balmy" refers to the sensation of atmosphere on the skin or in the lungs, while "humidity" refers to an objective quantity that exists regardless
I believe "balmy" refers to the sensation of atmosphere on the skin or in the lungs, while "humidity" refers to an objective quantity that exists regardless
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[nq:2]Hi. A friend and I are having an argument. I ... of (not excessive) humidity in additionto a moderate temperature. [/nq]
[nq:1]Balmy is subjective. [/nq]
Older writers also used it to include a notion of fragrance. In our own time Claudia Roden, in her fine book on Middle Eastern cooking, has the phrase "embalm the air" with definite reference to scent.
Mike.
[nq:1]Balmy is subjective. [/nq]
Older writers also used it to include a notion of fragrance. In our own time Claudia Roden, in her fine book on Middle Eastern cooking, has the phrase "embalm the air" with definite reference to scent.
Mike.
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