Sure It’s Cold, But Is It Really ‘Bitter Cold’?

It's winter in Minnesota, so it shouldn't be all that unusual that it's cold, right? And with a forecast high of only 2 above zero today, I'd say that it is, indeed, cold. But tonight, when it's supposed be around 11 below zero? That's when we'll hear the weather described as "bitter cold." But what does "bitter cold" really mean?

Sure, it's cold-- "dangerously cold," according to some sources-- mainly if you're outside for more than a few minutes with exposed flesh. "Seriously cold" is another term that seems to fairly accurately describe our cold conditions.  And, while we're at it, "numbingly (if that's even a word) cold," "extreme cold," and even "hurt my face" all seem to more accurately portray our sub-zero weather. Heck, even "booger-freezing cold" works. But is this cold weather really "bitter"?

Lest I be accused of interpreting things too literally, I consulted the dictionary. It defines bitter as, "Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid and unpleasant."  Or, "Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh." I guess I stand corrected. With a temperature of 11 below and wind chills nearing 30 below tonight, either of those two definitions work for me. "Bitter cold" it is, baby!  (And here's the obligatory 'throwing hot water in the air when it's bitter cold" video we always have to reference when it's this cold...)