Maelstrom Question

[DisneyDellsDude]

This may seem like a wierd question, but is there a "whirlpool" in the maelstrom?

Because after all, that's what "maelstrom" means...


I don't remember there being a whirlpool in it.

 

[brkgnews]

Not to my knowledge. There are two switchbacks (trolls make you "Disappear! Disappear! -- Back - back - over the falls!"), then you go forward again down the drop toward the oil rig. But no whirlpools that I know of. (you do see whirlpool-shaped "pixie dust" over your head when the troll sare casting the spell on you, but that's it.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I wonder why the picked that to be the name of the ride then.
Anyone know why?

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Because in the USA the primary definition of maelstrom is a "turbulant situation". The secondary definition is a "whirlpool or eddie". In the US you don't normally hear of anyone talking about a maestrom as a whirlpool. You hear them refer to the "maelstrom of battle" or the "Maelstrom that the firefighters encountered in the warehouse in Buffalo".

In this case they are referring to the "turbulant seas of Norway" and the "turbulant nature of the wild"...

"Turbulance" would have made an even worse choice for a name. The name "Maelstrom" also implies that it is not a straightforward dark ride, but has a few splashes here and there.

Also, the water in the coast off of Norway in the Arctic sea is referred to as a "maelstrom" by the locals.

I think the name pretty well fits the attraction - although there is barely any "turbulance" in the ride.

 

[Amber]

This may seem like a wierd question, but is there a "whirlpool" in the maelstrom?

Because after all, that's what "maelstrom" means...


I don't remember there being a whirlpool in it.

Did you learn that from yesterday's Jeopardy?

I did.

 

[maelstrom]

"Maelstrom" (as does the Dutch "maalstroom") comes from the Danish "malstrøm" meaning "grinding-stream".
from: http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t1475-0.htm

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

Did you learn that from yesterday's Jeopardy?

I did.

No. From a book we're reading in school.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

Thanks everyone, that was interesting.

You learn something new on here everyday.:animwink:

 

[marni1971]

In Europe Maelstrom is another word for storm.