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Bill W

Bill W 65,038
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The word brume (meaning a mist or fog) entered English from French, tracing back to the Latin word brūma, which is a contracted form of brevima or brevissima, the superlative of brevis ("short").  It literally signified the "shortest day", referring to the winter solstice.   

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun brume (meaning a mist, fog, or vapor) first appeared in English during the Middle English period (1150-1500), with its earliest recorded evidence dating from before 1500.  it's primarily used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday speech.  

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Bill W

Bill W 65,038
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In storytelling, brume is a powerful literary and atmospheric tool used to evoke mystery, mirror a character's internal confusion, and blur the lines between reality and the supernatural.   

Psychological and Symbolic Functions:  
Internal confusion: It reflects a character's doubt, grief, or moral ambiguity.  
The unknown: It hides dangers, forcing characters to rely on senses other than sight.  
Liminal space: It creates a boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm.  

Narrative and Aesthetic Impacts:  
Atmospheric tension: It instantly establishes a Gothic, eerie, or melancholic mood.  
Pacing control: It physically slows down characters, naturally dragging out suspense.  
Visual contrast: It softens sharp landscapes, making colors, lights, or figures pop dramatically when they finally emerge.  

Examples in Literature:  
Gothic Fiction: Works like Jane Eyre or Dracula use heavy fog to isolate settings and signal approaching dread.  
Sherlock Holmes: The London brume in Arthur Conan Doyle's stories makes the city itself feel like a deceptive character.  
Speculative Fiction: Fog often acts as a physical barrier hiding magical kingdoms, monsters, or dystopian secrets.

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drpaladin

drpaladin 118,930
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A heavy brume lay on the streets?

 

Broom Broom GIF

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Bill W

Bill W 65,038
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Broome County, NY experiences a significant amount of brume due to intersecting Susquehanna and the Chenango Rivers and the surrounding hills. 

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sandrewn

sandrewn 30,091
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3 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

You see dancing. I see sweeping.

Great minds don't always think alike:whistle:

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drpaladin

drpaladin 118,930
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7 minutes ago, sandrewn said:

Great minds don't always think alike:whistle:

Grate minds do.

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Quilah

Quilah 260
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Oh! this one I will be adding to my internal dictionary.. 

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ReaderPaul

ReaderPaul 22,254
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7 hours ago, Bill W said:

Broome County, NY experiences a significant amount of brume due to intersecting Susquehanna and the Chenango Rivers and the surrounding hills. 

     Broome primarily refers to a shrub or plant, often associated with the genus Cytisus, such as the common broom (Cytisus scoparius), which has slender branches and bright yellow flowers. The term originates from the Old English word brom, meaning "broom," and has been used historically in English literature to describe this plant or similar leguminous shrubs, according to Merriam-Webster.
     Broome can also denote a type of broom, a tool used for sweeping floors. This typically consists of a bundle of twigs, straw, or synthetic fibers attached to a long handle. Historically, "broome" is an older or dialectal spelling of "broom" and is sometimes used figuratively in literature to symbolize cleaning or renewal, according to Merriam-Webster.
     Broome is also a place name applied to several locations worldwide.  The most prominent is Broome, Western Australia, a coastal town known for pearling and tourism.  Other locations include towns in New York, and villages in Norfolk, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, England.  The name often carries connotations of local history, natural scenery, and cultural identity, according to definitions dot net.
   Side note:  The town of Broome, New York, is NOT in Broome County, New York.  It is in Schoharie County.

Edited by ReaderPaul
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