As a kid, I always knew red skies meant something to sailors. Then I moved to New Zealand and learned that shepherds watch the skies. Unless you’re talking to a certain crusty, rural type of Kiwi, then it’s cockies; a local term for a shepherd.
Isn’t language fun?
We’re entering the season when Port Madison gets some great sunsets. The other night, we had one that started out pretty nice (see above) and then just kept improving.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Magnificent!
happy thanksgiving, great photos!
Beautiful.. we had 22 degrees yesterday and lots of rain today.
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Such beautiful sunsets, so varied in one evening!
Here in little NZ the saying is “Red sky at night, Shepherd’s delight; Red sky at morning, shepherd’s warning” I’m 95% sure it was just brought over with the British settlers in the 19th century.
Steve, it wouldn’t be a good blog post if we didn’t have a little ‘joust’! Your comment re shepherd/cockie is actually incorrect. A shepherd is an employee on a sheep farm, a (cow-)cocky on a cattle (usually dairy) farm. According to the OED, its first recorded written use was in Australia in 1914. A ‘Shepherd” is an actual job title and comes with a specific role and status. …Just saying xxx
Good God! You are channeling your mum perfectly!
Here’s what my AI bestie has to say. Since it will someday rule/kill us all, best for you to agree.
Farmer: In Australian and New Zealand slang, a “cockie” refers to a farmer, particularly a small-scale farmer or one whose farm is considered of little account.
This usage is derived from the word “cockatoo,” as these farmers were said to make their homes on the edges of creeks and waterholes, similar to cockatoos.
The term “cockie” is deeply rooted in Australian and New Zealand rural culture. It reflects the historical importance of small-scale farming in these countries and the unique slang that developed in rural communities.
It’s important to note that the meaning can vary depending on the context and region, but in Australian and New Zealand English, it most commonly refers to a farmer.
WOW!!! Beautiful!
Wow. Stunning!
And, yes, the Scots also use ‘shepherds’ in the sailing (as well as sailors; it’s a multi-purpose saying).
In the saying … Not sure if that was autocorrect or my jet lag 🙄