A local radio station has been using the term ***snow shark * ** to refer to the blowing and drifting snow that creates deep, pointed drifts across the roads. It’s used like this: “Be sure to watch out for snow sharks on the east-west county highways, they’re making the evening commute treacherous.”
So, is this a local term? I rather like it.
Very apt. Some look just like that. And you think they are tame, but when one wheel spins and the others have traction you quickly change direction.
I don’t know how local it is, but I had a roommate from Pittsburgh once, and I remember his referring to local DJs talking about snow sharks.
Went over my head as I have no idea what snow is.
Never heard of that before, but I heartily approve and will do my best to start working “snow shark” into conversations.
I just did a search on Google Groups for “snow shark” and got only 18 hits. None appear to be a use of the term as in the OP. If fact, the most recent uses are for a snow blower model.
Sounds like it was just made up.
I did a little internet searching and found no references to “snow shark” as a road condition term. I did find some snow sculptures of sharks, a brand name for children’s boots, a snowboard brand name, an actual shark called a snow shark, an upcoming movie about prehistoric sharks that lived in snow, and a really cool t-shirt type design. If this is a new term, it would be fun to see how quickly it spreads.
I’m a downhill skiier, and my parents have referred to snow sharks and snow snakes for years. But on the slopes, not on the road. For example, I’d be skiing along, and fall, and my dad would glide up and say, “You didn’t see that snow shark back there? He bit ya, didn’t he?” Or I’d catch an edge on a flat and Mom would yell, “Watch out for snow snakes!”
So yes, I’ve absolutely heard the terms. But not in reference to roads at all - that’s a new one.
“Hi Dad… you’re not going to like this… you know your new car? Well I was driving back from the mall and there was this snow guppy…”