Commentary: What is the etymology of meteorology?

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), Oct 19, 2007 by Kevin Williams

The term "forensic meteorologist" is no doubt familiar to the readers of The Daily Record.

Certainly readers are aware of the meaning of "forensic," which Webster defines as "belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate."

But what about the term "meteorologist?" While I suspect readers also are familiar with the term, its derivation may be suspect. After all, shouldn't a meteorologist be someone who studies things in space, like meteors?

A meteorologist is a person who, through an accredited institution, has earned a degree in meteorology (also known as atmospheric science). Meteorology is the study of the processes and motions that take place in the atmosphere.

When retaining a weather expert, it is certainly recommended that person hold a degree in atmospheric science.

As for the derivation of the term, "meteorologist" originated from the ancient Greeks who named the study of heavenly phenomena "meteorologica" and called raindrops, hailstones and snowflakes "meteoron," meaning "thing in the air."

During this time, meteorology was closely associated with astronomy, thus meteoron also applied to meteors and meteorites.

Today, the sciences are not as closely linked, but the term meteorologist still applies to weather scientists. (Astronomers, astrophysicists and cosmologists are among the experts in the study of celestial bodies and the like.)

The ancients Greeks, by the way, knew a thing or two about atmospheric sciences. For example, the Greek philosopher Thales correctly ascribed the four seasons to variations in the sun's position in our skies.

But famed philosopher Aristotle didn't always get it right. Regarding the formation of hurricanes, it was his belief that "evil winds would fall upon good winds resulting in a moral conflict."

Not exactly.

Kevin Williams is president of weather-track.com and director of meteorology for News 10NBC.