Odors Categorized

So what are THE SMELLS? Take it away, Science!

Working with a standard set of data, Andrew Dravniek’s 1985 Atlas of Odor Character Profiles, the researchers applied a mathematical method to simplify the olfactory information into coherent categories, similar to the way compressing a digital audio or image file reduces the file’s size without, ideally, compromising its usefulness. The team identified 10 basic odor qualities: fragrant, woody/resinous, fruity (non-citrus), chemical, minty/peppermint, sweet, popcorn, lemon and two kinds of sickening odors: pungent and decayed.

I guess that pretty much nails it, except I am not sure where you would slot in the New York City scent of late-summer street urine, which lacks the astringent nature of the first pavement piss of spring but carries within its present-yet-subtle profile the undeniable fact that no matter how long you want to wish it away, winter won’t wait forever. I suppose you could go with “decayed” but that just doesn’t seem to capture the essential sadness of it.

Photo by ollyy, via Shutterstock