Midlife guide to... gluggaveður

Well, spring was nice while it lasted. I enjoyed those few days of sunshine greatly. What’s next? Winter again?

Afraid so. There’s more rain forecast for today, probably some of that thundersnow and also several icebergs moving in from the north. Batten down the hatches and get ready for some gluggaveður.

Oh, not another Scandi drama. I’ve had it up to here with your Saga Noréns and Sarah Lunds. What’s this one about then? Wait, let me guess: troubled single female detective solves improbable murder against chilling Nordic backdrop?

Not quite. If you knew your Icelandic phraseology, you’d know it meant window weather – conditions that are lovely to look at but unpleasant to be outside in.

So it’s basically hygge?

No, no, entirely different. Hygge is Danish and all about a mood of cosiness and contentment; warm socks and steaming hot drinks. Sort of like Christmas, but without arguments.

Sounds like a close cousin of gluggaveður, surely. How are we pronouncing this anyway?

Isn’t it obvious? It’s glew-ga-veth-ur. Don’t forget to do the sing-songy voice, either. It’s very important.

I don’t doubt it. But why are you bringing it to my attention?

Because experts at the photo company Shutterfly have just translated it, and some other hard-to-translate foreign words, presumably as some kind of public service.

How thoughtful of them. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to look out the window at the gluggaveður.

God speed. You won’t be disappointed.

This is Britain, not Iceland, so I rather suspect I will be.

Rosa Silverman