adj. Able to withstand extreme cold, particularly the frigid conditions created by the polar vortex weather phenomenon.
2014
Polar vortex-proof wool sweaters from Iceland. Traditional Ukrainian religious icons. Reindeer jerky. These are just some of the holiday gifts you can cross off your list this weekend at holiday markets sponsored by local cultural organizations.
2014
The legendary Maine clothing retailer is promoting what it calls a "vortex proof" winter coat, further evidence that a once-obscure phenomenon known only to geeks in the meteorological subculture has emerged as a national player.
2014 (earliest)
While most are concerned with the science behind the forthcoming polar vortex, we're busy thinking about how it will inspire our personal style.
You can search Word Spy all day long but you won't find an entry for polar vortex. That's because although this phrase feels new — last January, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh said that "they just created it for this week" — it's actually very old. My original research found lots of examples from 1950s, but last week Ben Zimmer showed in a Wall Street Journal article that the phrase dates to 1853!