She says it was the US Weather Bureau’s classification in the 20th century, and that each category of clouds was further subdivided into nine types of clouds – of which the ninth was the highest. Judy Parkinson in Spilling the Beans on the Cat’s Pyjamas gives more detail. And apparently an older version of the saying was ‘on cloud seven’. But, this is often the case with idioms, proverbs, and other colloquialisms.Very happy, as in: ‘I passed my exam – yippee! I’m on cloud nine!’ Where did it come from?Īpparently the phrase comes from an old system of classifying clouds.įrom the Horse’s Mouth, Oxford’s dictionary of idioms, says it was a 10-part classification so nine was very high. Nor is it clear why the number “nine” became tied to this phrase. It’s not entirely clear if the Weather Bureau classification is genuine or if it’s part of an anecdote that’s evolved over time. There, the Bible describes the most righteous souls and the souls of those yet to be born residing. For example, the “seventh heaven,” or the most exalted level where God dwells over the angels. It is interesting to consider the other possible origins of the number nine in this phrase, especially when other numbers, specifically seven, have more heavenly/peaceful connotations. The ninth could refer to fluffy cumulonimbus clouds that are those considered to be the most aesthetic. “On cloud nine” is believed to have originated from the classifications of cloud which were defined by the US Weather Bureau in the 1950s. ![]() This technique might add credence to a character’s traits and heritage or it might just confuse the reader. They might be okay with using an obscure idiom (one far less-known than this one) and knowing that some people won’t understand it. This is something that writers are very much aware of and take into consideration when using phrases like this. Understanding the words, “on cloud nine” doesn’t mean that one is going to know what they are, in this context, referring to. ![]() Like all idioms, this phrase is hard to understand unless one has heard it, read it, or seen it in some form before. Writer use “on cloud nine” in the same way and for the same reasons that the phrase is used in everyday conversations. When was the last time you felt like this? You look like you’re on cloud nine.We were running around like we were on cloud nine until we realized the committee hadn’t actually said our names.Yes, finally! It’s over! I’m totally on cloud nine right now.I’m on cloud nine right now, you really have no idea what this means to me.If someone notices that their friend seems particularly pleased after getting a piece of good news one might say, “How are you feeling right now? Are you on cloud nine?” It’s also possible to use the phrase in the form of a question. Or, in another situation, someone might say, “this was really a wonderful evening, I’m on cloud nine,” in reference to a date or a gathering with friends. This might mean getting a much-needed grade, winning an award or prize, or achieving a goal one has worked a long time for.įor example, one might say, “I can’t believe I won! I’m on cloud nine!” after realizing that they’ve been selected for an award. It’s possible to use “on cloud nine” in a wide variety of situations, ranging from a romantic date to a family gathering, a peaceful vacation, or any imaginable kind of success. It is going to depend entirely on the speaker’s perception of their experience if they feel it’s right to use the words. This blissful happiness can come about in any imaginable way. ![]() One might say they are “on cloud nine” after they achieve a goal they’ve been striving after for a great deal of time. The phrase “on cloud nine” refers to a state of euphoria that comes about through success, joy, and intense pleasure.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |