Controversial Word "DRAFTS" (as in air current)

Question

Hello fellow forum users,I work at a language institute and we've been having a major debate over the use of the word "draft" or "drafts" when talking about air currents. It all happened because of the following extract from a novel one of us is currently writing: "He remembered seeing everything happen from his place atop the crest of the jagged hilltop, his scarlet cape tossing violently in the wind. The drafts beat upon his body with the same intensity the army he led employed on its victims, and it held no quarter all the same." Turns out someone said the word draft or drafts could only be used when referring to air in an enclosed place. I since proved through extensive googling, that the phrase "draft of wind" is used when speaking about air outside or in an open environment. They conceded, now saying that "draft of wind" might be right, but using it without the added "of wind" was basically wrong. I've since googled some more and discovered it being used in phrases like "the drafts outside" and generally alone, in the context of wind outside. What's your opinion? Right, wrong?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

My Canadian Oxford Paperback Dictionary defines it as 'a current of air in a confined space'.

I could see using it in a limited number of outside contexts, but not yours.

A 'draft of wind' sounds acceptable ina sail-boat context. But normally, I'd hesitate to mention 'wind' and 'draft' in the same situation, as you have, particularly when in effect it is a 'violent' wind. A draft does not normally suggest a violent movement of air.

Why don't you just change it to 'gusts'?

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much for your quick reply. I think the best thing would just be to change it, it's just easier, considering gusts sounds better. I'm just glad you provided a better explanation for why it shouldn't be used here, the fact that draft doesn't suggest violent air. My colleagues didn't offer that explanation they merely said the word draft would never be used in an outside context. That doesn't sound right, considering I've gathered these examples through extensive research:

"The eagle soaring in the drafts above us"

"There was quite a draft outside from the movement of the bushes."

"I enjoy taking strolls when there is some sort of draft outside."

"How are the drafts up top??" (when talking about a mountain peak)

"Although initially viewed as promising, experts now believe it was the result of a sustained draft of wind blowing from the surrounding hills."

Which definitely suggest that the word is indeed used and understood in outside scenarios by native speakers. I basically wanted to prove the use of this word in such cases wasn't farfetched, and that it was easily understood, maybe slightly off in terms of the whole violent, nonviolent air thing, but nevertheless still correct. What do you think? (I have to stress I do believe gust was a better word to use at this point).

Clive · Answer

Hi,

"The eagle soaring in the drafts above us" OK. Somewhat similar to the sail-boat context I mentioned.

"There was quite a draft outside from the movement of the bushes." Sounds odd to me.

"I enjoy taking strolls when there is some sort of draft outside." Sounds very odd to me.

"How are the drafts up top??" (when talking about a mountain peak) Sounds sort of OK, but I'd take 'drafts' here as a bit of understatemnt, rather like standing in a gale and saying to someone , 'It's a bit drafty, isn't it?'

"Although initially viewed as promising, experts now believe it was the result of a sustained draft of wind blowing from the surrounding hills." Doesn't sound terribly natural to me.

I think you are going to have some difficulty if you want to pursue this with your colleagues.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

lol Oh, believe me. I'm having lots of difficulty! Which fuels the interest to understand the term, only because I had no idea a single word could spur such heated arguments. I do admit my team seems to be losing ground.

It seems the examples I provided generally sounded odd, or off to you, but it continues to baffle me that these native speakers would think of using the word that way. If it is indeed odd (and I do think this isn't what one would consider the more common, well-known use of the word "draft") why would a native speaker use the term that way? And I mean the question in the most sincere way. It truly baffles me, considering how out of place it seems to appear to some people I've talked to.

That last example I posted in my reply (the one that didn't sound terribly natural) is actually from the Heritage and Culture section on a well reputed site. The following examples are from published books:

"The presence of the building channeled wind down 23rd street, producing powerful drafts that threatened to raise the long skirts that were popular at the time."

"No sooner do I realize that irony of the monsoonal hide-and-seek of nature in the high mountain, another draft of wind lifts the misty veil".

I understand it sounds odd. I truly do get that it might sound unnatural, but why would a native use it then? And why in a published work.

By the way, thank you very much for responding. You have been very helpful.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I guess people use language in all sort of ways. Sometimes creatively, sometimes awkwardly, sometimes without understanding, sometimes intentionally because they like the sound or look of a word.

You're welcome.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousTurns out someone said the word draft or drafts could only be used when referring to air in an enclosed place.

Not so, as you discovered. Check the aeronautics and meteorology sites and you'll find the terms updraft and downdraft are frequently used, and the word draft can be used (though it seldom is in these scientific contexts) to refer to either an updraft or a downdraft.

I found this:

A draft is a large-scale vertical current of air that is continuous over many thousands of feet of altitude.
http://www.tpub.com/content/aerographer/14312/css/14312_156.htm

Further, I have heard friends of mine who do sky-diving or hang-gliding refer to drafts, and these certainly are not indoors! Although they can be violent, they usually are not, because people don't practice these activities in thunderstorms, where the drafts are most violent.

(See also "thermals" with regard to hang-gliding.)

______________

I do agree, however, that gusts is better than drafts when describing violent wind on a hilltop, because we don't expect a technical term from meteorology or aeronautics to occur in a novel. At the same time, I realize that the less common uses of words are a mark of literary art.

CJ

Controversial Word "DRAFTS" (as in air current)

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