Understanding Gen Z Slang: Exploring Weather Phrases and Regional Differences
Do you know what it means when someone says, “It’s brass monkeys outside today”? How about when they mention Jack Frost paying a visit? If these phrases leave you scratching your head, you might not be as young as you think.
According to a recent poll of 2,000 adults, only 5% of those aged 18 to 25 have ever used the term “brass monkeys” to describe cold weather. Similarly, just one in 10 have referred to Jack Frost visiting when it gets icy. And if you’ve never heard anyone under 30 mention “Here comes Old Phoebe,” you’re not alone.
As we experience an Arctic chill in the UK, with frost and snow on the horizon, perhaps it’s time to revive some of these classic weather expressions. Regional differences in weather chat were also highlighted in the research, with phrases like “it’s blowing a gale” being most common in Scotland, and “it’s lashing it down” popular in the north-east of England. Interestingly, “it’s raining cats and dogs” is more likely to be heard in the south than anywhere else.
The origin of the phrase “it’s brass monkeys” is quite entertaining. It stems from a traditional Navy saying that it is “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” with the monkey being the structure where cannonballs were stored.
Top 10 Weather Phrases Least Likely Used by Gen Z
1. Here comes Old Phoebe (The sun is coming out)
2. That’s a gust (That’s a sudden strong wind)
3. Mackerel Sky (clouds making a rippling pattern resembling fish scales)
4. It’s slinging it down (It’s raining a lot)
5. Jack Frost has visited (There is frost on the ground)
6. Blowing a hoolie (It is very windy: A Scottish phrase)
7. It’s brass monkeys outside (It’s very cold)
8. It’s lashing it down (It’s raining a lot)
9. The Heavens have opened (It’s suddenly started raining a lot)
10. It’s blowing a gale (It is very windy)
Despite some phrases fading out of use, the research shows that we are still a nation of weather enthusiasts. In fact, 39% of people are happy to discuss the weather with a total stranger, with 14% even doing so while commuting.
The research was commissioned by Network Rail, which is inviting people to name one of their special “leaf-busting” trains that clear leaves from railway tracks during autumn and winter. Lisa Angus, Network Rail’s weather response director, emphasized the monumental effort involved in keeping passengers moving through the autumn, making this year their biggest operation yet.
If you have a creative name suggestion for the leaf-busting train, you can send it to nametheleafbuster@networkrail.co.uk before Friday, September 20, or use #NameTheLeafbuster on social media. Railway historian and TV presenter Tim Dunn has already thrown in his suggestion of “Trainy McTrainFace,” but he believes there are better options out there.
For more information like this, feel free to reach out to our news team at webnews@metro.co.uk. And remember, when it comes to weather phrases and regional differences, there’s always more to explore.
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