PEASOUPER Meaning and
Definition
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Peasouper is a noun that refers to a thick blanket of fog, particularly one that is so dense and impenetrable that it obstructs visibility to a significant degree. The term is predominantly used in British English and is derived from the word "pea soup," due to the visual resemblance of the fog to the greenish appearance of this traditional soup.
In everyday usage, peasouper is often employed to describe extreme weather conditions, typically occurring in urban or industrial areas, where smoke and pollutants mix with fog, resulting in a hazardous combination. Peasoupers were particularly notorious in heavily industrialized cities during the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the burning of fossil fuels and coal for domestic heating and industrial purposes released large amounts of smoke and soot into the atmosphere. The dense fog caused by this pollution had a significant impact on public health, transportation, and general quality of life.
Today, the term peasouper is less common as a result of improved air quality and stricter pollution regulations. However, it still persists in certain contexts to describe exceptionally thick or smog-filled fogs. Its usage often evokes a sense of nostalgia for bygone eras and serves as a reminder of the environmental challenges faced in the past.
Common Misspellings for PEASOUPER
- peasouper
- pe asouper
- peas ouper
- peasoupurr
- peasewuper
- peasowuper
- oeasouper
- leasouper
- 0easouper
- pwasouper
- psasouper
- pdasouper
- prasouper
- p4asouper
- p3asouper
- pezsouper
- pessouper
- pewsouper
- peqsouper
- peaaouper
Etymology of PEASOUPER
The word "peasouper" is a colloquial term primarily used in British English to describe a thick, dense fog, often associated with pollution. Its etymology is derived from the combination of two words: "pea" and "souper".
1. Pea: The word "pea" refers to small green spherical seeds commonly found in pods. It is believed that "pea" in the term "peasouper" refers to the dense and thick appearance of the fog, which resembles the color and size of green peas.
2. Souper: The term "souper" originated from the word "soup", which is a liquid or semi-liquid food made by boiling various ingredients together. In this context, "souper" describes the fog's consistency as comparable to a thick, soupy substance.
