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Why does fog smell so bad?


Fog, yesterday

Date: 2006-04-25 12:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] webofevil.livejournal.com
> It just smells sort of ... damp, doesn't it?

One of the worst smells I have ever encountered ambushed me as I was being driven towards St Albans at about 4.30 in the morning. All there was in the vicinity was grass, trees and B-road, but even that view was fading as a fog (or conceivably a mist) began to materialise around us. Suddenly there was the most overpowering, eye-watering smell. It contained elements of every odour the brain is programmed to be repelled by and thus trigger protective mechanisms like gagging, fleeing or blaming the dog. Shit, vomit and decay, with other, unidentified damp and sinister background harmonics. If a septic tank exploded in a path lab and the results cascaded into the gourmet restaurant downstairs, that would not only begin to approximate the smell, but would also raise several questions about the local planning officer.

The driver kept her head, though almost not her dinner, and ploughed on. We were out of the fog/mist/grey stuff in about five minutes, but were pretty subdued for a while after. Since then, although they've all been far inferior to the Daddy, I've encountered other fogs of varying pungency. Last night, for example, it suddenly began to smell like someone had coated the Houses of Parliament in a fresh manure paste. Although I'm sure people have considered doing so (and what's our contingency plan for when they do? I suppose the taxpayer will have to stump up, it's just another example of rip-off Britain, etc), in this case it was the fog gently enveloping St Stephen's Tower.

So come on, people. What is that smell?

Date: 2006-04-25 12:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-cornfedpi814.livejournal.com
It's the great unwashed.

Date: 2006-04-25 12:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chiller.livejournal.com
Well, if fog's made up of whatever evaporates off the ground, then it makes sense that whatever is in the ground will uh ... tinge the fog.

So obviously in St Albans you were driving over a load of dead Romans.

And for the HOP - my guess is you were enjoying the sweet aroma of fresh bullshit. :)

Date: 2006-04-25 02:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brigbother.livejournal.com
Are you sure you're not just synaesthetic?

Date: 2006-04-25 02:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] webofevil.livejournal.com
No, it's just the way I walk, etc.

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