7 May 2013

contrail

[kon-treyl]

noun

– a visible condensation of water droplets or ice crystals from the atmosphere, occurring in the wake of an aircraft, rocket, or missile under certain conditions.

Also called condensation trail, exhaust trail, vapor trail.

Origin:
1940–45; con(densation) trail

Today’s aphorism

I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars.

– Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892)

On this day

7 May 1919 – birthday of Eva Perón, first lady of Argentina and second wife of Argentine President, Juan Perón. Her life was immortalised in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Evita, which included the hit song, ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’.