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The contents of the Subtropical ridge page were merged into Horse latitudes on 1 January 2019. For the contribution history and old versions of the redirected page, please see its history; for the discussion at that location, see its talk page. |
My question is simple. How horse latitudes occur? 202.93.211.86 (talk) 07:03, 18 February 2012 (UTC)
(inserted for presumed readability ... said: Rursus (mborke³) 07:15, 3 November 2009 (UTC))
I was always under the impression that the horse latitudes were located where atmospheric circulation (see whole atmosphere convection cells)involved descending air mass with no component of lateral motion resulting in relativily little surficial wind. As explorers crossed this latitude the ships would slow do to reduced wind speed. I was under the impression that on occasion they would be forced to throw over horses in order to reduce total load (reducing mass reduces inertia)and enabling light breezes to accelerate the ship. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.94.131.53 (talk) 23:50, 14 October 2010 (UTC)
The article provides two different explanations for the name. They can't both be right. If the first explanation is not known to be true, the article should say so, and if it is known to be true then the second explanation shouldn't be there. Also, beating a dead horse contains yet another probably untrue explanation. Jibjibjib 11:03, 13 May 2007 (UTC)
Sataspes still says he was a Persian navigator and cavalry commander whose name is derived from Sat (=100 sad) and Asp (= Horse, Asb). He is also credited with originating the term "horse latitudes". I've never heard the "throw 'em overboard" theory until now, but have read the reverse: at the proper time of year, the horse latitudes are favorable for the transport of horses to the New World. I'll be back if I ever find a cite. --Pawyilee (talk) 17:33, 21 February 2011 (UTC)
Based on the definition of folk etymology in the link ("a change in a word over time resulting in the replacement of an unfamiliar form by a more familiar form"), I don't see how the "becalmed horse ship theory" is an example of folk etymology. Perhaps "folk etymology" is being used as a synonym for "false etymology", i.e., the author thinks the theory is b.s.? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sergevan (talk • contribs) 03:44, 8 October 2011 (UTC)
The song "Horse Latitudes" from the album Strange Days (The Doors album) is based on (and probably popularized) the explanation about throwing horses from a becalmed ship "When the still sea conspires an armor/.../And the first animal is jettisoned". Maybe it should be mentioned in the etymology section. Rps (talk) 11:32, 30 June 2020 (UTC)
In current academia, the term "horse latitudes" is different from the term "subtropical high". Subtropical high refers to the large scale high pressure systems. The systems are not simply "ridges", especially in the East Asia region. I've cancelled the subtropical high redirect link. Ustczyh9 (talk) 16:48, 13 October 2022 (UTC)