# Cecil's Inuit snowfall sentence **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [November 15, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984 "2022-11-15T22:05:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/1 "2022-11-15T22:05:55Z")
Long ago, the Master was working on a sentence regarding his feelings on snow. Here’s a short snippet of the column. ''In my spare time I’ve been attempting to construct an Eskimo sentence in my basement, such as will be suitable for the season. I haven’t got it perfected yet, but it’s coming along pretty well, and with a little work it might pass for the genuine article. So far I have: _kaniktshaq moritlkatsio atsuniartoq_. When completed, this sentence will proclaim: “Look at all this freaking snow.” At present it means: “Observe the snow. It fornicates.” This isn’t poetic, but it’s serviceable, and I intend to employ it at the next opportunity." Did he ever polish the phrase up like he wanted to? What is the completed version? Who has the Straight Dope? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/2 "2022-11-16T17:04:44Z")
It would be helpful to link to the article you’re commenting on. I assume you’re referencing this one from 1979. > **[What are the nine Eskimo words for snow?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341442/what-are-the-nine-eskimo-words-for-snow)** Did you read the follow-up article to it? > **[Are there nine Eskimo words for snow (revisited)?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343516/are-there-nine-eskimo-words-for-snow-revisited)** Since he didn’t address it in the revisited article 22 years later, I’m pretty confident that he dropped the idea. (After all, Cecil is known for snark, so I doubt that there was any sincere effort put into that phrase.) ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/3 "2022-11-16T17:26:45Z")
I didn’t know there was a follow-up article. The phrase came into my head while I was out shoveling our 90 x 8 foot driveway and I thought I’d ask about it. Thanks for the links. I can’t always make everything work on my phone. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/4 "2022-11-16T18:06:36Z")
> [@Reeses\_Monkey](#): > > Thanks for the links. You’re quite welcome! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/5 "2022-11-17T18:04:45Z")
It’s a family tradition in our house that on days with heavy snowfall, either my husband or myself looks out the window and announces solemnly, “Observe the snow.” ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/6 "2022-11-17T18:21:56Z")
Only… Someone (@Ed_Zotti?) sanitized it. I have the first edition of the book and it clearly says _Look at all this fucking snow,_ which makes a lot more sense in context of the snow fornicating. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-inuit-snowfall-sentence/974984/7 "2022-11-17T20:04:04Z")
True. I bought my first copy circa 1990 so it would have had the naughty language. That one got loaned out and read to pieces.