@neiltyson Meteors create streaks in skies. From the ground, meteors often look like they're leaving Earth. "Makes no sense" bit of an exag.
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@BillNye@neiltyson … but I suspect the metaphor comes from the the sudden, bright, & spectacular appearance of a meteor in the sky. - 1 more reply
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@neiltyson I think they were going for fiery and quick, since meteors sure are both. 8)Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson@GeorgeTakei "Meteoric Descent" does seem to make more sense.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson Unless you count the dust raised into the upper atmosphere by a sufficiently large meteor strike.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson Unless you're talking about temperature, that is.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson Etymology is NOT the study of bugs: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=meteor …#TheMoreYouKnowThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson@jadedjenny71 Ref's to Speed, not Dir. 1st use:1785. Meteors were 3rd only to light & lightning for observable speed. Make sense?Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson I've said that since I was about 9 years old.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson maybe its more a reference to speed as opposed to trajectory - 1 more reply
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@neiltyson@xoxogossipgita maybe they bounce?Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson "meteoric rise" indicates a moment of success that is bright -- and temporary. Like a meteor falling through the atmosphere.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson and yet everybody knows what it means (because language is not literal)Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson "Meteor" comes from the Greek "meteōros" meaning "Lofty". A "Lofty Rise" makes some sense.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@neiltyson@Marilyn_Res Yes it does. The speed at which it goes from unseen to bright is what's being referred to. -
Aha! "meteoric rise" explained: RT
@DonSchenck:@neiltyson@Marilyn_Res The speed at which it goes from unseen to bright.
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