E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Roaring Forties (The).
What seamen understand by this term is a zone of strong winds about lat. 40° S., where a strong wind prevails throughout the year, from W.N.W. to E.S.E. There is a similar zone in the northern hemisphere, but the current of the wind is interrupted by the prevalence of land. The tendency, however, is from W.S.W. to E.N.E.
