popcorn storm
n.— «According to National Weather Service meteorologist William Babcock, the storms were part of a line of disturbances commonly called “popcorn storms.” “Because they pop up all over the place,” Babcock said.» —“Severe storms blast through region, more expected to hit today” by Stephanie Hooper Nashua Telegraph (New Hampshire) July 22, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
In 1971, when a new public library opened in Troy, Michigan, famous authors and artists were invited to write letters to the city’s youngest readers, extolling the many benefits of libraries. One of the loveliest was from E.B. White, author of...