The spelling of the word "squalls" may seem unusual to some, but it is actually a phonetic representation of the sound it makes. The IPA phonetic transcription for "squalls" is /skwɔlz/, where the "s" sound is represented by a "squ" because it sounds like a burst of air. The "a" is pronounced more like an "o" sound, which is why it appears as "qu" instead of "qo." The two "l"s at the end indicate a long, sustained sound similar to the "ll" in "swell."
Squalls, noun
Plural form of "squall".
A squall refers to a sudden and violent gust of wind that is accompanied by precipitation, often in the form of rain or snow. It is typically short-lived but intense, characterized by a rapid increase in wind speed and a sudden change in weather conditions. Squalls are commonly associated with storms, particularly thunderstorms or heavy showers, and are frequent in tropical and coastal regions. These swift bursts of strong winds can pose hazards to both land and sea activities, including aviation, sailing, and outdoor events.
In nautical terms, squalls also refer to brief and intense localized disturbances with strong winds and rain that occur at sea. These maritime squalls may cause rough waters, reduced visibility, and sudden changes in wind direction, making them potential risks for sailing vessels and maritime navigation. Sailors often prepare for squalls by reducing sail area and securing loose objects on the deck to minimize potential damages and ensure safety.
In a broader sense, the term "squalls" can also be metaphorically used to describe sudden outbursts of emotion, such as anger or laughter, that are intense but short-lived. This usage is more colloquial and does not directly relate to the meteorological or nautical definitions.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "squalls" is derived from the Middle English word "squall", which originally meant a sudden rush of wind or an intense gust. This Middle English term is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "skvala" meaning to squeal or scream. Over time, "squall" came to specifically refer to a brief, strong wind that may be accompanied by rain, snow, or hail. The plural form "squalls" simply indicates multiple occurrences of such gusts of wind.