How to Stay Cool During Heatwaves of 32 Degrees The concept of 32 Degrees Definition and Origins 1. The term “32°” refers the freezing point of a liquid, which is equal to 0° Celsius or 32° Fahrenheit. 2. The concept of measuring temperature using a scale that includes 32 degrees has its origins in the Fahrenheit temperature scale developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the early 18th century. 3. Fahrenheit selected 32 as the freezing temperature of water and 212 for the boiling temperature at standard atmospheric tension. The difference between the two was divided in 180 equal parts resulting