Vernacular name for clouds

[Isabelle Waine]

I’ve read a paper ‘Cloud Physiognomy: LORRAINE DASTON that  said the International Cloud Atlas before 1932 used to have the vernacular names of cloud types.  I wonder if there is a list online, over and above the usual ‘mackerel sky’.

[Hans Stocker]

Hello Isabelle, in the ICA itself is an appendix with the history of cloudnames:  History of cloud nomenclature .
I don’t find vernacular names in this appendix and according to me it seems that the use of Latin names started before 1932. There is also a Historical bibliography Historical bibliography and the History of the ICA .

Unfortunately the article you mention is not freely available. The abstract of the article emphasizes that “cloud classification depended crucially on description by omission” like “what caricature is for face recognition”. Interesting enough, but what role play vernicural names in this article? Do you have examples?

Hans

[Michael Lerch]

Thanks for bringing up the idea  Isabelle and Hans your knowledge on the matter is worthy here. What am I talking about?  Vernacular names for clouds..a list started by CAS.. Below is my first nomination to the List of Vernacular Cloud Names..yes, The Elvis Lip Cloud..or  The King’s Snarl.. Looking at the all shook up upside down shows its just a ridge line of cloud being pulled  up to be devoured by hungry winds…Asperitas Worthy of the King..

 

[Hans Stocker]

A marvelous and also surprising contribution to the raised question, Michael! You have my vote for Elvis Lip Cloud or the King’s Snarl. Your example of Asperitas is most certainly Worthy of the King and it supports your thoughts on this name very well!😎

When is Lips or Snarl is seen he might be in the building.

[Michael Lerch]

As it so happens Hans, I have photographic evidence  of Elvis leaving the building.  The Snarl is gone. Turn it upside down and you can see the King Snarl ascending into the Asperitus …  But we give them names so that they may live on into whenever.  Thanks for the endorsement Hans. So that leaves me with a Lip without  a name now that the Snarl has been taken out. This whole Asperitus thing is relatively new and wide open for exploration. Vernacular appellations  should be for the claiming  as if  being the first white man  at the North Pole.  So my 2nd nomination for Vernacular Cloud  Names List..is the self serving, but legit ..The Lerch Lip…as defined by the observer, a wall of ridge cloud highlighted to appear brighter than the background in an Asperitus event… There is an opposite,. a dark undulation in front of a brighter background.  There can be both complimenting each other.

 

• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by Michael.

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