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pterodactyl commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
I suspect that cyclones and typhoons would get more press in the US if they were called hurricanes, because I really think that Americans don't understand that these different words refer to the same sort of storm.
November 3, 2008
reesetee commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
With all due respect, ptero, while I'm sure it's true that some Americans may not know that cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes are similar, many of us do know. And I'm not sure that has so much to do with what level of coverage such storms get (news cycles being so fickle), although that's an interesting point.
November 3, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
I agree that they don't get the coverage they often deserve, but I disagree it's because of what they're called. I think it's because the American media tend to reflect what most American people (not all) want to see on the news—i.e. not foreign stories (unless they affect America).
I remember when I lived in Australia being surprised (I was very young) that I heard news not just of the United States but countries around the world; in direct contrast to when I got home, and couldn't really get any news of Australia. Even when I was looking for it.
This was pre-Internet and pre-streaming, and pre-24-hour-news-cycle, though. And I think the situation is very different now. Living in the U.S. and looking for news of other countries (especially if you are connected), you can find it. But if you're not looking... well...
November 4, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
But which word do you think sounds more awful and destructive? I would be interested if those responses reflect an eastern vs. western hemisphere bias.
November 4, 2008
trivet commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
When I think of cyclone, I hate to say that the first things that come to mind are a carnival ride and chain-link fences, followed by a Southern Hemisphere hurricane.
November 4, 2008
yarb commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
To my ear, typhoon puts the other two in the shade, destructiveness-wise. All three are effective though.
November 4, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
I do think of a carnival ride, as trivet said, when I hear "cyclone." Not that there aren't carnival rides called "Hurricane" (I can think of at least one).
To me, typhoon, just going on the sound/feel of the word, sounds less dangerous than either cyclone or hurricane. When I was little, I always thought cyclones and tornados were the same, instead of cyclones and hurricanes. *shrugs*
November 4, 2008
trivet commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
Typhoon makes me think of the Wild-'n-Windy Typhoonigator from One Monster After Another.
November 4, 2008
bilby commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
Allow me to demonstrate:
This is the story of the Cyclo-o-one
A man the authorities came to ...
Funny about the carnival rides. Whizzy-up-your-breakfast carnival rides in Australia tend to be called hurricane, perhaps because cyclone is a bit sensitive. Numerous Australian cities have been devastated by cyclones, most notably Darwin in 1974 when 70% of houses were destroyed and 66 people were killed.
November 4, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
Interesting, bilby. That kind of confirms my suspicion, that hurricane is less scary-sounding to those who call them cyclones, and vice versa. Hmm.
On the other hand, there are lots of "fun" things called hurricanes in the U.S. Most notably a sickly-sweet drink called a hurricane that New Orleans' French Quarter used to be famous for. (I haven't been back since Katrina so I don't know if they're still served. They were considered a tourist drink anyway.)
November 4, 2008
reesetee commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
New Orleans always seemed like the type of city that would be proud of a drink called the Hurricane, even after--well, a hurricane. God bless it. :-)
November 4, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
They're served (or were) in a certain type of glass, and they're screaming pink. I kind of like the phenomenon.
November 4, 2008
reesetee commented on the word hurricane v cyclone
I know of them, but have never had one. Must get down there someday.
November 5, 2008