Cake. Chrysanthemum. Waterfall. If you've ever wondered what to call the different types of fireworks you see during a professional show, other than "that cool one that trailed off," you've come to the right place — and can impress (or annoy) your friends afterward.
Here's a sampling of official fireworks terminology from the American Pyrotechnics Association:
* Cake: A cluster of small tubes, linked by fuse, that fire small aerial effects at a rapid pace. They are often used in large quantities as part of a show's finale.
* Chrysanthemum: A spherical break of colored stars that leave a visible trail of sparks.
* Falling Leaves: Stars that twinkle and flutter down.
* Fish: Large inserts that propel themselves rapidly away from the shell burst, often looking like a fish swimming away.
* Palm Tree: Rising comet (trunk) that bursts into six large trailing stars (fronds) and can also have small reports (coconuts).
* Peony: The most commonly seen shell type, with a spherical break of colored stars.
* Waterfall: Named for the shape of its break, this shell features heavy long-burning tailed stars that only travel a short distance from the shell burst before free-falling to the ground. They sometimes include a glittering through the "waterfall."
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
