brain fart

sharpierae · Sep 22, 2006

Hey everyone,

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I can't think of the term used to describe the rushing wind felt after a large truck or something passes by.

Backdraft? No. That's with fire. Tailwind? No, that's not it. What IS it?

In desperation, I turn to the word experts.

And also, does anyone have any helpful tips or advice about where to look when a word escapes you?

Thanks for the help, I'll return to slamming my head on a hard surface now.
:Headbang:

xxxrae

Robert Toy · Sep 22, 2006

With regards to a truck, it is called a truck's draft.."...had to swerve off the road to avoid being swept into the truck's draft."

alleycat · Sep 22, 2006

Airstream or air flow might also work, according to how you use it. You might also consider buffeted.

MidnightMuse · Sep 22, 2006

In regards to where to look for a word you can't think of, aside from coming here - where people are always willing to help out - there's a thing called a Descriptionary. It's a dictionary that you use to look up what a thing is, to find out what that thing is called.

Check one out at Amazon or your local bookstore and you'll see what I mean. They can be very helpful.

soloset · Sep 22, 2006

MidnightMuse said:
In regards to where to look for a word you can't think of, aside from coming here - where people are always willing to help out - there's a thing called a Descriptionary. It's a dictionary that you use to look up what a thing is, to find out what that thing is called.

Check one out at Amazon or your local bookstore and you'll see what I mean. They can be very helpful.

What a wonderful idea. I've just added one of these to my pick-up-soon list at Amazon. I can also think of at least one person I know who is getting one for Christmas.

Soccer Mom · Sep 22, 2006

I've never heard of such a thing, but I have an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my...er...computer.

sharpierae · Sep 23, 2006

Descriptionary, brilliant.

Thanks for the help! I actually needed to describe the force when a subway or train passes by through a tunnel. Draft might be the right word, but it sounds too wimpy. I wrote truck because I'm just more familiar with the phenomenon being on my bike. Little me vs big truck = yikes.

I ended up "writing around" the word that stumped me instead of falling headfirst into the gaping hole left by my aphasia. Deadline panic.

Thanks for the descriptionary tip!
xxxrae

alleycat · Sep 23, 2006

You could also use "rush of air from the passing truck" (or whatever causes it) or "gust of wind from the passing truck".

C.bronco · Sep 23, 2006

OH Man! I know exectly what you mean, and there is a term. Now that you've asked I can't think of it. It's liable to drive me nuts all day.

Fern · Sep 23, 2006

Whoosh of air
air turbulance

Mandy-Jane · Sep 23, 2006

Slipstream might be another good word.

Rachael · Sep 24, 2006

wind tunnel?

veinglory · Sep 24, 2006

I can it backwash--no idea if that's correct.

dlcharles · Sep 24, 2006

Big Trucks

It is called a 'Vortex'. It can literally knock you off your feet, make you lose control of your small car, flip a motorcycle like a gnat, and carry your hat a long way down the roadside. The vortex created by a subway train pulls the assorted trash in the tunnels along with it.

brain fart

sharpierae

the UnID

Robert Toy

alleycat

Still around

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

soloset

'bye

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

sharpierae

the UnID

alleycat

Still around

C.bronco

I have plans...

Fern

practical experience, FTW

Mandy-Jane

venturing ever further into the unknown

Rachael

Engaged

veinglory

volitare nequeo

dlcharles

brain fart

the UnID

Robert Toy

Still around

Midnight Reading

'bye

Crypto-fascist

the UnID

Still around

I have plans...

practical experience, FTW

venturing ever further into the unknown

**Engaged**

volitare nequeo

Engaged