f-o-g
FOG is a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere near the ground, reducing visibility. Also used metaphorically to describe confusion or bewilderment.
7
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
FOG is a meteorological phenomenon consisting of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air near the Earth's surface. This atmospheric condition forms when the air becomes saturated with water vapor, typically occurring when warm, moist air meets cooler surfaces or when humidity levels reach 100%.
Beyond its literal meaning, "fog" serves as a powerful metaphor in everyday language. When someone says their mind is "in a fog," they're describing mental confusion, lack of clarity, or bewilderment. This figurative usage extends to phrases like "brain fog" in medical contexts.
In photography and visual arts, fog creates dramatic atmospheric effects, softening landscapes and creating mysterious, ethereal scenes. Maritime and aviation industries consider fog a significant weather hazard due to reduced visibility.
Related weather phenomena include mist (lighter than fog), haze (caused by particles other than water), and marine layer (coastal fog formation).
The word "fog" has uncertain origins, first appearing in English around the 16th century. It may derive from the Danish word "fog" meaning "spray" or "shower," or possibly from an Old Norse word meaning "floating" or "drifting."
The meteorological term developed alongside maritime vocabulary, as sailors needed precise words to describe weather conditions that affected navigation. The metaphorical use of "fog" to describe mental confusion emerged in the 18th century.
Related terms include "foggy" (adjective), "fogging" (verb), and compound words like "foghorn" and "fogbank." The scientific understanding of fog formation developed significantly during the 19th and 20th centuries with advances in meteorology.
Fog appears frequently in literature as a symbol of mystery, uncertainty, and the unknown. Charles Dickens famously used fog in "Bleak House" to represent social confusion and moral ambiguity. In photography, fog creates dramatic atmospheric effects and is particularly valued in landscape photography.
In maritime traditions, fog represents both danger and romance. Foghorns became iconic sounds of coastal life, while "fog banks" describe dense maritime fog formations. Many coastal cities like San Francisco are famous for their characteristic fog patterns.
Contemporary usage includes "brain fog" in medical contexts, "fog of war" in military terminology, and "fogging" in disinfection processes. Weather forecasting uses precise fog terminology to communicate visibility conditions to the public.
•Fog forms when air temperature and dew point are within a few degrees of each other
•San Francisco's famous fog is caused by cold Pacific waters meeting warm inland air
•Fog can reduce visibility to less than 1 kilometer (0.62 miles)
•"Brain fog" is recognized as a symptom in various medical conditions including COVID-19
•Fog harvesting is used in some regions to collect water from fog for drinking
"The morning fog rolled in from the bay, shrouding the harbor in a ghostly veil."
Weather/meteorological context
"After the surgery, she felt like her mind was in a fog for several days."
Metaphorical usage - confusion
"The photographer waited patiently for the fog to lift from the mountains."
Photography/artistic context
"Dense fog forced the airport to cancel all flights until visibility improved."
Transportation/safety context
Total base points: 7 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 2
Incorrect: Using "fog" and "mist" interchangeably
Correct: Fog reduces visibility to less than 1km; mist allows visibility of 1-2km. Fog is denser than mist.
Incorrect: "The window is fogged up" (passive voice confusion)
Correct: "The window fogged up" or "The window is fogged" - both forms are acceptable
Incorrect: Using "brain fog" as a clinical diagnosis
Correct: "Brain fog" is a symptom description, not a medical diagnosis. Proper terms include cognitive dysfunction or mental fatigue.
FOG is valuable in word games because:
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