Wednesday, August 13, 2008...12:13 pm

Subbing tip #5: bellwether or bellweather?

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According to Dictionary.com, this is the word that means “a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend”.
But it’s nothing to do with the way the wind is blowing. So it’s nothing to do with the weather. 
“Bellwether”: a sheep (wether: a castrated ram) with a bell around its neck that leads the flock and allows you to find it in the dark or mist. 
“Bellweather”: the word that should describe ideal conditions for campanology. If it existed…

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