BACKGROUND
Forecasters gave the ominous double warning as two vast weather depressions edged towards the UK. The second is expected to lead to an extremely stormy festive period over the entire country. But while severe gales and rain are expected to batter Britain into December 25, it is highly unlikely to bring a white Christmas, with any snow in the North turning back to squally showers, forecasters said last night. Read more >>
THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express shows a couple standing on their doorstep listening to a group of carol singers, who are holding umbrellas and singing, "I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas" beneath the pouring rain.
EXPLANATION
The usual words to the song are "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" (i.e., a snowy one), but the cartoonist has changed "white" to "wet" because rain, not snow, is forecast.
CAROL SINGING
Carol singing, or Caroling, is singing carols (special Christmas songs) in the street or public places. It is one of the oldest customs in Great Britain, going back to the Middle Ages when beggars, seeking food, money, or drink, would wander the streets singing holiday songs. People today still go from house to house singing carols and collecting money for charity. The traditional period to sing carols is from St Thomas's Day (21 December) until the morning of Christmas Day. [source: Project Britain]
LANGUAGE
1. Note that you dream of something in English. You can also dream of doing something. • He has always dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur.
2. The pools of rainwater on the ground are puddles.
