Friday Eye Candy: Mapping a World of Water Words

Cultures and geography have created a dictionary's worth of words for water. A new video from Vox maps (most of) them out.

1 minute read

October 20, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Mountain Waterfall

Geartooth Productions / Shutterstock

The latest in Vox's series of videos brings visual life to two of our favorite subjects: maps and water. Here they explain the premise behind the project:

If you comb through the US Geological Survey, Merriam Webster, and a few other sources, you can get an idea of the differences between firths, tarns, and other bodies of water. It can be tough to remember all the definitions, but the video above puts them together as a journey through a single (slightly fantastical) map.

So the video below explores 39 terms, from Ocean to Lake to Spring and everything in between. To be clear, these are all nouns—so my favorite adjectives, "lotic" (characteristic of quickly moving fresh water) and "lentic" (characteristic of still or standing fresh water), are nowhere to be found.

Friday, October 20, 2017 in Vox

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

5 hours ago - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog