A Mercurial Attitude
Why is barometric pressure given in inches of mercury?
———- from Hugh Grant of Ardmore, PA
Back in the 1840’s, when barometric pressure was first discovered, it was considered vulgar to make a direct statement about the laws of nature. The phases of the moon were called “Lunar Melancholic Waning” and even rainfall was referred to as “The Lamentations of the Firmament.” Everyone was a long-winded poet, including Gilbert Shelton, the English amateur meteorologist, who coined the metaphor “Mercuric Altitude” to describe his mental condition just before a storm. Today, even when half the nation is on anti-depressants, we continue this proud tradition.
Back in the 1840’s, when barometric pressure was first discovered, it was considered vulgar to make a direct statement about the laws of nature. The phases of the moon were called “Lunar Melancholic Waning” and even rainfall was referred to as “The Lamentations of the Firmament.” Everyone was a long-winded poet, including Gilbert Shelton, the English amateur meteorologist, who coined the metaphor “Mercuric Altitude” to describe his mental condition just before a storm. Today, even when half the nation is on anti-depressants, we continue this proud tradition. 