Afterswell

[jiho]

Hi all,
What is an «afterswell»?
Could it be a hangover (literally or figurative either)?

Thank You!

 

[Horsa]

I don't believe it's a headache or hangover. I think I've heard it in a chemistry context. However, it is made up of 2 words after + swell and my guess is that the meaning can be understood by adding the meanings of those two words. What was the context you found it in?

 

[Anglika]

I've met it in relation to the sea following a storm, when there is an after-swell with heavy waters which end as large waves on a shore.

I agree it would really help to have the context source.

 

[Horsa]

Yes come to think of it I've heard it in that context too.

 

[jiho]

The text speaks of the days that followed a highly controversial public debate, so the use of the word «afterswell» in the context is figurative for sure. At first I had two possible candidates:
- hangover
- jetsam
Both are translated into Spanish with the very same word: resaca

Anglika, do you mean the repetitive waves like when you throw a stone into a pool?

 

[Anglika]

Not quite. When there has been a storm at sea, the after-effect of the storm is to produce very large swells in the water [which in a small context are ripples]. These swells will, when hitting land, become large waves.

In the context of a post-political debate, the afterswell will be the reactions in those listening to or reading about the debate = the way in which their opinions will grow or change in such a way as to change public thinking/opinion.

 

[jiho]

I see,

You, always helpful...

Thanks!