Well, I mean it’s less weird to write “golf ball-sized hail” bcause it’s a rather common way to describe the size of hail. Energy drink cans are cylindrical, so it doesn’t make immediate sense in anyone’s brain in the sentence as a comparison. I’m guessing the author couldn’t think of a common enough spherical item of the right size to compare with. Still, I think hyphens would have immediately fixed the strangeness, like the person below you commented.
Well, I mean it’s less weird to write “golf ball-sized hail” bcause it’s a rather common way to describe the size of hail. Energy drink cans are cylindrical, so it doesn’t make immediate sense in anyone’s brain in the sentence as a comparison. I’m guessing the author couldn’t think of a common enough spherical item of the right size to compare with. Still, I think hyphens would have immediately fixed the strangeness, like the person below you commented.
Sports equipment and fruit are the common comparison for spherical objects.
“Grape sized hail” is quick and easy. “Softball sized” gives the proper “holy shit that’s huge” reaction.
Or commas, and better grammar, would have done wonders, too.
“Hail, the size of energy drink can[s], pelt[ed] Texas […]”
I like the spherical references. I don’t know why he wouldn’t stick with balls.