“Bad Weather” — An ineffective, inefficient linguistic habit

I caught myself this afternoon using the phrase “bad weather.” Ugh. I’m usually more on top of my language choices than that, but this time I clearly was not. What a bizarre habit, really, to classify weather as “good” or “bad” based solely on whether or not we’re uncomfortable in some way.

As I sat outside my children’s bedroom doors tonight, waiting for them to fall asleep (knowing I was close by to keep them safe), I listened to the rain falling insistently outside. Immediately, I could see in my mind’s eye the sedum shoots coming up in the garden, welcoming this first, long drink of Spring. I was reminded of coming to a different kind of spring on a long hike and feeling the cool water rush down my dry throat. With that comparison in mind, how could I possibly characterize this wet weather as “bad?” 

Typically when describing weather (and the many other staples of daily life), I intentionally aim to select words that are more descriptive than “good” or “bad.” After my slip-up this afternoon, I quickly shifted my language and opted, instead, for the phrase “rainy weather” (which is a far more accurate description of the extant meteorological conditions!). I hope that tomorrow, even if I’m cold and wet (or cold and dry, or warm and wet, or warm and dry), I will aim for accuracy in description, instead of reverting to that too-easy, ineffective, inefficient “bad/good” habit.