There’s a Word for That

You know how it smells outside after a rainstorm? There’s a word for that.

Dog after rain

Petrichor [pe-trahy-kawr, ker] is the distinct smell of rain in the air. Or, to be more precise, it’s the name of an oil that’s released from the earth into the air before rain begins to fall. Specifically, Webster’s Dictionary defines it as:

  1. a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy, pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground.

Who knew?

And why might I be fixated on this scent and therefore with finding this word?

Because the word that I can’t find is for the smell of pet urine that becomes especially strong when the air is damp.

Sorry to set you up for such a fall. : )  But having just had a dog visitor for a few days that none of my guys particularly liked set off a urine spraying contest as everyone, including Finn, felt the need to mark their territory inside the house.

OH! I just thought of the word.

I do believe they all had a pissing contest!

Sorry for the graphic image/smell, but with this damp air, I’m on the hunt for the strongest working urine odor enzyme buster I can find.

Wish me luck.

 

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