French word of the day: Brumisateur
This expression is a must-know for anyone wanting to cool off in France this summer.
Why do I need to know brumisateur?
Because it's allegedly the best way to cool down during coronavirus.
What does it mean?
The word brumisateur literally translates to 'atomizer' or 'sprayer'.
A 'sprayer' is a pretty accurate word for the concept, as a brumisateur is a fan that sprays mists of water to cool off the person on the receiving end.
Whether a large communal spray-fountain or a small spray-bottle purchased at the shop for individual use, brumisateurs are extremely popular in France during the summer.
MAP: How to find cool places in Paris during the heatwave
As temperatures soar, large outdoor brumisateurs appear in public spaces in cities to shower passers-by with mists of cool water.
Passers-by are showered with cool water vapour on the Bassin de la Villette in north-eastern Paris. Photo: AFP
Some bars even install them on their terraces to make sitting outside in the heat a more pleasant experience for customers.
During the 2019 heatwave, brumisateurs were popular attractions for inhabitants in cities like Paris without access to beaches or lakes.
A Paris, des bornes-incendies deviennent des fontaines et brumisateurs.
A Marseille, plus de la moitié des piscines municipales fermeront demain. Seulement 5 restent ouvertes l’été pour 880k habitants...pic.twitter.com/g3uW86FlT2
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) June 30, 2019
#PlacedelaRépublique : Véritables brumisateurs, différents de ceux utilisés pont de Sully vendredi dernier à Paris. pic.twitter.com/ymgI9KDHAp
— Dominique Hasselmann (@dhasselmann) July 1, 2019
This year has been slightly different due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and French health authorities have issued guidelines on cooling down safely during the pandemic. Luckily, brumisateurs are listed as OK, just remember to keep a one metre distance to others while getting sprayed.
Also, with masks now compulsory in Paris as well as a long series of other towns and cities, remember to change your mask if it gets wet (a damp mask does not offer protection).
Other ways of cooling down in French:
Ventilateur - fan
La clime (short for la climatisation) - air condition
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Why do I need to know brumisateur?
Because it's allegedly the best way to cool down during coronavirus.
What does it mean?
The word brumisateur literally translates to 'atomizer' or 'sprayer'.
A 'sprayer' is a pretty accurate word for the concept, as a brumisateur is a fan that sprays mists of water to cool off the person on the receiving end.
Whether a large communal spray-fountain or a small spray-bottle purchased at the shop for individual use, brumisateurs are extremely popular in France during the summer.
MAP: How to find cool places in Paris during the heatwave
As temperatures soar, large outdoor brumisateurs appear in public spaces in cities to shower passers-by with mists of cool water.
Passers-by are showered with cool water vapour on the Bassin de la Villette in north-eastern Paris. Photo: AFP
Some bars even install them on their terraces to make sitting outside in the heat a more pleasant experience for customers.
A Paris, des bornes-incendies deviennent des fontaines et brumisateurs.
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) June 30, 2019
A Marseille, plus de la moitié des piscines municipales fermeront demain. Seulement 5 restent ouvertes l’été pour 880k habitants...pic.twitter.com/g3uW86FlT2
#PlacedelaRépublique : Véritables brumisateurs, différents de ceux utilisés pont de Sully vendredi dernier à Paris. pic.twitter.com/ymgI9KDHAp
— Dominique Hasselmann (@dhasselmann) July 1, 2019
This year has been slightly different due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and French health authorities have issued guidelines on cooling down safely during the pandemic. Luckily, brumisateurs are listed as OK, just remember to keep a one metre distance to others while getting sprayed.
Also, with masks now compulsory in Paris as well as a long series of other towns and cities, remember to change your mask if it gets wet (a damp mask does not offer protection).
Other ways of cooling down in French:
Ventilateur - fan
La clime (short for la climatisation) - air condition
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