According to Google, I am considered one of the world's foremost experts on precipitation terminology. Nevermind the fact that I don't have a background in meteorology or linguistics. I posted something here on my website a couple of years back, entitled "Eleven Words for Rain," and that apparently qualifies me as an expert. Seriously, for whatever reason, this has become one of the more well-worn paths from Google to my website -- precipitation terminology seekers... and appeltaart afficionados!

Anyway, despite my apparent expertise in the field, I really don't know what to make of the precipitation that's been falling from Amsterdam's skies over the last two days.

One might be inclined to call it hail... but then again, it's too small, not round enough, and too regular to really classify as hail in my mind.

One might be inclined to call it snow... but then again, it's too hard and too heavy for snow. I certainly don't feel like we're having our first snowfall of the year these days.

Another option would be to call it sleet or freezing rain... but it actually seems like an inverted version of sleet to me. The stuff that we're getting these days is solid in the air and immediately upon impact, but then it quickly melts into nothingness -- unlike sleet which comes down more liquid and then turns to ice once it's on the ground.

So what's the best word for the stuff we've been getting lately? Is there a Dutch word for it that I might not know about? Is there an English word, outside of the generic Weather-Channelish "wintry mix?" Whatever it is, I have to confess that it's not my favorite type of precipitation. But in any event, it makes it feel like we're legitimately in the holiday season. And as long as I can stay inside and sip hot buttered rum in the evenings, I think everything will turn out just fine.