Gluggaveður

It had been raining for days. At breakfast, through the window, the strong sun lit the leaves in bursts of green and emboldened the blue sky like someone smiling too hard. Eager to be in the warm sun, the dog bolted through her food and to the door. What a surprise when the door opened and arctic air scourged the entryway. It was freezing! The dog hesitated. It was so beautiful through the window, yet such a stinging chill outside. In Iceland, there is a word for this kind of weather that looks inviting from inside, but is actually bitter when you step out the door. Gluggaveður. Weather best enjoyed behind a window. An Icelandic noun, it literally means “window” (gluggi) – “weather” (veður). To pronounce it, say something like “glook-ah-vay-ther.” Note that in Icelandic, the “ð” sounds like a cross between the “th” before “these” and a soft “d.” And the next time you realize it’s beautiful, but brutal outside, make a nice cup of tea, settle next to your favorite window, put your feet up, and enjoy the gluggaveður.