white smoke

Questions

What does white smoke mean?

White-colored smoke serving as an announcement to the outside world that a conclave has chosen a new Pope.

Where does white smoke come from?

From the ancient practice of announcing the result of a papal election. If the election was successful, i.e. a candidate received two-thirds majority in the College of Cardinals, the inspected ballots were burned in the stove of the Sistine Chapel of Vatican, resulting in white smoke spewing out from the chimney. If the required majority was not reached, damp straw was added to the stove, resulting in black smoke. A similar effect is achieved in modern times with chemicals. Compare Italian fumata bianca (“white smoke”).

How to pronounce white smoke

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “white smoke”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “white smoke”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “white smoke” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.