Wind Idioms

Several words have become part of the language in being used in phrases. Last time we looked at ‘ground’ and now look at ‘wind’.

Nobody was long-winded until the 14th century – great days those, great days.

Not until 1830 did anyone get their second wind, and that was initially only used in hunting circles.

Orchestral wind instruments were not referred to by that collective term until 1876 – well that blows.

Knowing ‘which way the wind blows’, in a figurative sense, appears as early as the 14th century.

To get wind of, as in information, appears in writing in 1809.

Also figuratively ‘to take the wind from one’s sails’ is not seen until 1883.

Nobody had heard of ‘wind chill’ until 1939 (prior to that is was just ‘cold’).

Wind energy first appears in 1976.

Wind vanes appear as early as 1725, albeit they must have been used for centuries before then.

Around the end of the 14th century we started to ‘get wind of’, but it referred to scenting something. The figurative sense is first seen in 1809.

To wind, as in to make breathless, is seen from 1802 and used specifically when discussing pugilism.

Predictably windsocks were only first described in 1922.

Crosswind is first recorded in 1725.

Windbreaks must have been planted and used for centuries, but not described until 1861.

Windward first occurs in print in the 1540s.

Windsurfing was unheard of before 1969.

Windbreaker, the item of clothing, was coined in 1918.

Upwind was a nautical term used from 1838.

Windhover, an alternative name for the kestrel, is first attested in the 1670s.

Windfall, the fruit dislodged by a breeze, is first recorded in the middle of the 15th century. Interesting to note the figurative sense of ‘unexpected acquisition’ first appeared as early as 1540.

Windswept, not only originally referring to hair but still mainly used in that sense today, is first seen in 1932.

Windpipe, also known as the trachea, is first described in the 1520s.

Windscreen is first seen in 1905, the US windshield first appears three years earlier.

Whirlwind is first seen in the middle of the 14th century, it began as a Norse term hvirfilvindr.

Windmill is first recorded in the late 13th century, most mills were water powered prior to this, and the use of the word to describe someone waving their arms around first appears in 1888.