Knowledge Builders

where did the name doldrums come from

by Dr. Valentin Homenick Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Doldrum is possibly derived from dull or Middle English dold (past participle of dullen, dollen (“to make or become blunt or dull; to make or become dull-witted or stupid; to make or become inactive”), from dul, dol, dolle (“not sharp, blunt, dull; not quick-witted, stupid; lethargic, sluggish”); see further at dull), ...

Full Answer

Why is the Doldrums called the Doldrums?

Where did the phrase "in the doldrums" come from?

What does "doldrum" mean?

Who said "from the bluff head where I watch'd to-day, I saw her in the?

See 1 more

About this website

image

How did the doldrums get its name?

Because the air circulates in an upward direction, there is often little surface wind in the ITCZ. That is why sailors well know that the area can becalm sailing ships for weeks. And that's why they call it the doldrums.

What is the meaning of in the doldrums?

in the doldrums a period of being sad or bored and with no energy or enthusiasm: I don't know why but I'm in the doldrums today.

Is doldrum a real word?

A “doldrum” was once defined, as the Oxford English Dictionary (or OED) reminds us, as a “dullard; a dull, drowsy, or sluggish fellow.” As such, its first appearance in recorded written English, in this now-obsolete form, comes to us in the Sept.

Why do sailors avoid doldrums?

For centuries sailors dreaded the aptly named Doldrums. This band of windless, hot, and humid weather near the equator could stall sailing ships for weeks, driving the crew to distraction with the monotony and sometimes even leading to the onset of scurvy as fresh supplies ran out.

Why is there no wind in the doldrums?

The effects of the Doldrums are caused by solar radiation from the sun, as sunlight beams down directly on area around the equator. This heating causes the air to warm and rise straight up rather than blow horizontally. The result is little or no wind, sometimes for weeks on end.

How do I get myself out of the doldrums?

The dictionary defines doldrums as “a state of inactivity or stagnation,” so it just makes sense to get moving to catapult yourself out of that state. Go for a brisk walk, engage in a yoga class, or do some simple stretches at home. Nothing chases the doldrums away faster than some exercise or even gentle movement.

What is the synonym of doldrums?

synonyms for in the doldrums crestfallen. depressed. despondent. disheartened. glum.

How are doldrums formed?

The Doldrums are caused by solar radiation from the sun, as sunlight beams down directly on area around the equator. This heating causes the air to warm and rise straight up rather than blow horizontally. The result is little or no wind, sometimes for weeks on end.

Where are the doldrums located on Earth?

The doldrums encircle the Earth near the equator, ranging from about five degrees north to about five degrees south of it. They cross every ocean except for the Arctic and Southern oceans.

How long can you be stuck in the doldrums?

This is designated as the 'ITCZ/Doldrums Corridor'. Within this corridor a Skipper and crew can elect to motor-sail for exactly 6° of latitude and for a maximum of 60 hours.

Does it rain in the doldrums?

Most of the time, conditions under this cloud are eerily calm. But every couple of weeks, the water erupts in a deluge of rain and thunderstorms. But because the band does not remain in a fixed position, the region over which this rain falls changes over time.

What would happen if you tried to sail a boat in the doldrums?

The Doldrums are a large-scale weather system located on and around the Equator. They are best known as an area of very light winds which can slow sailing boats to a virtual stop, but the Doldrums can often also produce violent thunderstorms and sudden fierce squalls.

What is an example of a doldrum?

Doldrums is defined as a gloomy feeling, low spirits or a time of inactivity. An example of doldrums is being stuck in the house during a week long snow storm.

What is the synonym of doldrums?

synonyms for in the doldrums crestfallen. depressed. despondent. disheartened. glum.

How do you use the word doldrums in a sentence?

unsuccessful or showing no activity or development: Her career was in the doldrums during those years.

Where are the doldrums on a map?

The Doldrums are located a little north of the equator, but the effects can be felt from 5 degrees north of the equator to 5 degrees south of it. The trade winds border the Doldrums both to the north and south.

Be in the doldrums - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

be in the doldrums 1. To be depressed or in low spirits; to be lethargic, sluggish, or lacking energy. I've been down in the doldrums ever since my grandfather died last month. I haven't really felt like going out and seeing friends lately. I'm just down in the doldrums a bit, I suppose. 2. To be in a state of stagnation; to lack activity or progress ...

doldrums | Etymology, origin and meaning of doldrums by etymonline

doldrums. (n.). by 1803, "low spirits, the blues, the dumps," colloquial, probably from dulled, past participle of dull (v.) in the sense of " make (someone) slow-witted," with ending perhaps patterned on tantrum.. DEAR girl, from noise and London city,I'm here among the blithe and witty;

In the doldrums - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day! in the doldrums 1. Depressed or in low spirits; lethargic, sluggish, or lacking energy. I've been in the doldrums ever since my grandfather died last month. I haven't really felt like going out and seeing friends lately. I'm just down in the doldrums a bit, I suppose ...

Doldrums Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

doldrums: [plural noun] a spell of listlessness or despondency.

Why is the Doldrums called the Doldrums?

The region now called the 'The Doldrums' wasn't named until the mid 19th century and the naming came about as the result of a misapprehension. When reports of ships that were becalmed in that equatorial region described them as being 'in the doldrums', it was mistakenly thought that the reports were describing their location rather than their state.

Where did the phrase "in the doldrums" come from?

What's the origin of the phrase 'In the doldrums'? The Doldrums is the region of calm winds, centered slightly north of the equator and between the two belts of trade winds, which meet there and neutralize each other. It is widely assumed that the phrase 'in the doldrums' is derived from the name of this region.

What does "doldrum" mean?

In the 19th century, 'doldrum' was a word meaning 'dullard; a dull or sluggish fellow' and this probably derived from 'dol', meaning 'dull' with its form taken from 'tantrum'. That is, as a tantrum was a fit of petulance and passion, a doldrum was a fit of sloth and dullness, or one who indulged in such. The term was used to mean 'a general state ...

Who said "from the bluff head where I watch'd to-day, I saw her in the?

In 1824, Lord Byron used the phrase in a nautical context in the verse tale The Island: "From the bluff head where I watch'd to-day, I saw her in the doldrums; for the wind Was light and baffling.".

Why is the Doldrums called the Doldrums?

The region now called the 'The Doldrums' wasn't named until the mid 19th century and the naming came about as the result of a misapprehension. When reports of ships that were becalmed in that equatorial region described them as being 'in the doldrums', it was mistakenly thought that the reports were describing their location rather than their state.

Where did the phrase "in the doldrums" come from?

What's the origin of the phrase 'In the doldrums'? The Doldrums is the region of calm winds, centered slightly north of the equator and between the two belts of trade winds, which meet there and neutralize each other. It is widely assumed that the phrase 'in the doldrums' is derived from the name of this region.

What does "doldrum" mean?

In the 19th century, 'doldrum' was a word meaning 'dullard; a dull or sluggish fellow' and this probably derived from 'dol', meaning 'dull' with its form taken from 'tantrum'. That is, as a tantrum was a fit of petulance and passion, a doldrum was a fit of sloth and dullness, or one who indulged in such. The term was used to mean 'a general state ...

Who said "from the bluff head where I watch'd to-day, I saw her in the?

In 1824, Lord Byron used the phrase in a nautical context in the verse tale The Island: "From the bluff head where I watch'd to-day, I saw her in the doldrums; for the wind Was light and baffling.".

image

1.What are the doldrums? - National Ocean Service

Url:https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/doldrums.html

10 hours ago Where did the word doldrums originate from? ETYMOLOGY: In the olden days when a sail-powered vessel hit a calm region of the ocean, it could be stuck there for days. Sailors called …

2.doldrums | Etymology, origin and meaning of doldrums by …

Url:https://www.etymonline.com/word/doldrums

22 hours ago It is widely assumed that the phrase 'in the doldrums' is derived from the name of this region. Actually, it's the other way about. In the 19th century, 'doldrum' was a word meaning 'dullard; a …

3.The saying 'In the doldrums' - meaning and origin.

Url:https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-the-doldrums.html

22 hours ago How did the doldrums get their name? The “doldrums” is a popular nautical term that refers to the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9