Fremantle Doctor

English

Etymology

Named after the city (now within Perth suburbs) of Fremantle, which is the direction the wind comes from to reach central districts of Perth; called the "doctor" for the relief it brings on hot summer days.

Pronunciation

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Proper noun

Fremantle Doctor

1. (Australia) The sea breeze that blows from the Indian Ocean over Perth, Western Australia.
   • 1986, Tim Winton, That Eye, the Sky, Scribner Paperback, published 2002, page 38:

     Afterwards, you go up with your oldies to the beer garden and you get a lemon squash and sit in the shade and wait for the Fremantle Doctor.

   • 2005, Australian Geographic: The Journal of the Australian Geographic Society, numbers 77-80, page 18:

     Just offshore from Rous Head, the Fremantle Doctor had its effect on the America′s Cup defence in 1987, where the course was positioned.

   • 2009, Nic Compton, Iain Oughtred: A Life in Boats‎^[1], page 23:

     The Western Australian sailors were gloating because they didn't think we would be up to the Fremantle Doctor (a strong wind which usually blows up at 3pm).

Usage notes

Certain other Western Australian towns — for instance Albany, Geraldton, Esperance, Eucla and Perth — have similar "doctors."

See also

• the Cape Doctor
• Fremantle Doctor on Wikipedia.Wikipedia