January 08 2019, 01:52

I encountered two sets of very similar words, which are overall useful to know. In the States, almost the full set from each group is used.

To choose the right word for rain in English, you probably need to measure the diameter of the droplet. If they are small, such rain is called drizzle; if larger – then rain. Then you need to measure the speed. If it pours heavily – then it’s a downpour or shower (although this might be a bit lighter). If very heavy and prolonged – then it is a deluge. If the rain evaporated before reaching the ground, this is virga. And all of this is called precipitation in general.

They constantly talk about rain on the radio. And here are all these words.

I was also amazed that there are a bunch of words for clothing too, and there’s a lot of confusion until you figure it out. There’s garment, there’s apparel, there’s clothing, there are clothes, there’s attire, there’s wear, and there’s also outfit. Well, and garb too.

Garment – is a piece of clothing. Apparel includes decorations, bags, and shoes, and sounds slightly academic, while clothing is just apparel, and attire are specific pieces of apparel, such as work attire – work clothes, and a more formal way to say clothing. Clothing and clothes are the same thing. Wear is a commercial term for “clothes”. Outfit translates as “outfit for the occasion”. And for the pile, there’s also the word garb – used for clothing of a specific purpose, such as for hunters, clergy, or prisoners.

By the way, about specific clothes, I’ll write here too: Costume – for example, for Halloween. Suit – a suit in Russian. Dress – a women’s dress. Dress suit – evening/business suit (male or female).