English forecast

Out of the blue and under the weather: 12 sayings with stormy roots

Image: Kir Simakov

Weather shapes more than just the land — it shapes language too! From "under the weather" to "every cloud has a silver lining," weather-inspired idioms reveal centuries of human observation, culture, and storytelling. Here, we explore 12 of the most colorful phrases that use the climate to express emotion, behavior, and fate.

Image: Greg Pappas

Originally a maritime expression, sailors used "under the weather" to describe seasickness or being knocked down by bad weather. The phrase eventually broadened to mean generally feeling unwell.

At the time, sickness was often blamed on stormy conditions, as exposure to harsh weather could make one weak. Today, it’s a common way to explain low energy or mild illness without clinical detail.

Image: Shashank Sahay

This phrase comes from John Milton’s 1634 poem "Comus", highlighting hope even in dark times. It likens clouds to problems, with sunlight peeking as a symbol of opportunity.

The idiom has been widely adopted in English literature and daily conversation. It encourages resilience, suggesting that difficult experiences often carry hidden benefits or lessons within.

Image: stelios theofilou

Originating in the early 18th century, playwright John Dennis invented a "thunder machine" for a play. Competitors later stole his idea, prompting Dennis to accuse them of "stealing his thunder."

Today, the idiom means taking credit for someone else’s idea or preempting their achievement.

Image: Dave Hoefler

Derived from meteorology, this phrase refers to unusually peaceful conditions before a severe storm. As an idiom, the metaphor emphasizes the often deceptive nature of calm periods.

There’s real science behind too! Meteorologists note that real storms are often preceded by a drop in wind and pressure, creating a brief lull before turbulence hits.

Image: Lili Kovac

First recorded in the 16th century, this phrase refers to abandoning prudence, likening "caution" to something thrown into unpredictable air currents.

The wind has long symbolized both freedom and risk in language and literature. Certainly, the metaphor’s vivid imagery has helped the phrase endure in English for centuries.

Image: Geetanjal Khanna

Originating in 19th-century American baseball, fans received "rain checks" when games were canceled due to weather. It guaranteed admission at a later date.

The phrase later expanded into general use, signaling a polite postponement or decline of an invitation.

Image: Lakindu Sepala

One explanation for the origin of this phrase dates to 17th-century England, where heavy storms often washed unfortunate animals into the streets. Another theory traces it to the Greek kata doxa, meaning "against what’s expected."

Today, it simply exaggerates intense rainfall. Its bizarre imagery has made it one of the most memorable English weather idioms.

Image: Stainless Images

Linked to Irish folklore, rainbows were often thought to hide treasure or symbolize promise. The phrase metaphorically describes the pursuit of something unattainable.

Scientifically, rainbows form when light refracts through water droplets, a precise combination of conditions that makes them relatively rare and fleeting.

Image: Lydia Norstad

British in origin, the phrase compares intense disputes over trivial matters to a violent storm contained within the confines of a teacup.

Its absurd imagery warns against overreacting and points to how perception can easily magnify objectively minor events.

Image: Duncan Kidd

This military-inspired idiom compares rapid, forceful success to a sudden storm. It first appeared in the 18th century to describe swift battlefield victories.

The imagery captures the unstoppable force of a fierce stormfront. Today, it is used in politics, entertainment, and business to describe swift, wide-reaching impact or decisive victories.

Image: Sam McNamara

Never trust a fair-weather friend… this cautionary phrase compares fickle friendships to sunny weather, thriving only when times are good and disappearing at the first sign of trouble.

First recorded in the 1600s, the idiom warns against unreliable allies and remains common in modern vocabulary.

Image: Kumiko SHIMIZU

This idiom derives from the real phenomenon of lightning appearing from a seemingly clear sky, likening unexpected events to this rare meteorological occurrence.

The earliest recorded use in English dates to the 19th century, and it was often originally phrased as "a bolt out of the blue."

THE HARDEST TIMES

The Great Depression: 10 Weird Facts About America’s Deepest Crisis

Image: The New York Public Library

The Great Depression, a period of economic instability that lasted from the early 1930s until the end of the decade, was one of the most challenging times in American history. Kickstarted by the Wall Street Crash of October 1929, the recession hit hard, bankrupting thousands of businesses and leaving no one untouched.

Though well depicted in films and literature, there are still numerous surprising and lesser-known facts that shed light on the resilience and creativity of the Americans who lived through those difficult times. From bizarre dance marathons to bustling criminality and a near-ecological collapse, here are 10 intriguing facts about the Depression Era that you might not have known.

Image: rc.xyz NFT gallery

Due to the extreme economic volatility, as the banking system collapsed, some towns and communities had to resort to issuing their own currency in order to keep commerce moving. These emergency currencies, often colorful and varied, featured designs from local artists.

They played a critical role in maintaining local economies during the financial crisis, ensuring that people could continue to trade goods and services despite the widespread financial crisis. Today, these unique scrips are collectors' items and a reminder of the creativity and resilience of communities during times of hardship.

Image: Museums of History New South Wales

The Great Depression saw a significant increase in the number of people who took to the road, wandering around the country in search of temporary employment. These migrant workers, known as hoboes, developed a cultural network that helped them survive the adverse conditions of the time.

This network included leaving messages for each other. While many of these messages were simple, including just their monikers or road names, a date, and the direction they were headed, there were claims of a more complex secret code. This code allegedly provided specific instructions on where to find food, safe places to sleep, or warnings about hostile areas. Though these claims were likely exaggerated, hoboes did rely on their community of fellow travelers to navigate the treacherous landscape of the Depression.

Image: Siora Photography

Farmers were among those hit hardest by the economic crisis. When banks foreclosed on farms for unpaid debts and their properties were auctioned, neighbors would conspire to bid pennies on both property and equipment, often using intimidation or physical force if necessary to keep others from bidding competitively. They would then return the farm to the original owners.

This act of defiance and solidarity helped create a strong sense of community during tough times. For many, losing a farm meant losing their livelihood and sustenance, making these efforts crucial for survival.

Image: Zoe Schaeffer

Many rural families survived by reverting to subsistence farming, hunting, and foraging. Skills that were once common but declining became essential for survival, aligning with a larger back-to-the-land movement that swept across America during the harder years of the crisis.

City folk believed that returning to the land was the only way to survive and avoid the pitfalls of consumerism that had contributed to widespread poverty. The back-to-the-land ethos provided both a practical solution to immediate economic hardships and a philosophical shift toward valuing independence and community perseverance.

Image: Mark Asthoff

Not without irony, the largest skyscraper in the world until the 1970s was completed during the Depression. A symbol of ambition and modernity, the Empire State Building stood as a rare sight in a foundering country. Initially, it struggled to find tenants, earning it the nickname "Empty State Building."

However, despite the economic downturn, its construction provided much-needed jobs for thousands of workers. The building of the Empire State Building became a beacon of hope amidst economic despair, proof of American strength and determination to leave the economic crisis behind.

Image: Samantha Sheppard

As if farmers didn’t have enough on their hands with the hardships brought on by economic instability, they also faced an ecological collapse of significant proportions during the Great Depression.

Severe drought and dust storms ravaged farmlands, forcing thousands of families to migrate westward in search of employment and improved living conditions. This ecological catastrophe stemmed from a combination of natural phenomena and human activities, including the destruction of natural topsoil and inadequate measures to prevent wind erosion.

Image: Maxim Hopman

With scarce job opportunities and widespread societal collapse, the Depression saw the rise of many notorious criminals like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, and Pretty Boy Floyd.

These criminal figures soon captured the public's imagination, becoming folk heroes to some and villains to others.

Though the media often exaggerated their exploits to boost sales, the real backstories of most of these criminals reflect the desperation and feelings of societal abandonment that were prevalent during that time.

Image: Philip Strong

In the midst of economic turmoil, Americans flocked en masse to sports for much-needed relief and affordable entertainment. Popular sports such as baseball, boxing, and athletics experienced a significant surge in both attendance and participation.

Iconic moments, such as Jesse Owens' triumph in the 1936 Olympics, also served as sources of inspiration and ignited a sense of nationwide pride. These events solidified America’s enduring fascination with sports of all kinds, demonstrating their power to uplift spirits and unify communities even during challenging times.

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Curiously, the Monopoly board game surged in popularity during the Great Depression. Originally developed in the early 1900s as "The Landlord's Game," Monopoly was commercially released under its modern name in 1935.

It became an instant hit, providing an affordable form of entertainment and a temporary escape from financial woes. In the world of the game, players could dream of economic success, even amid real-world hardships, cementing Monopoly as a staple in American households.

Image: jurien huggins

Bizarrely, many forms of endurance entertainment became a craze during the Great Depression. One of these peculiar trends was dance marathons, where participants competed to outlast each other on the dance floor, often dancing for days with only short breaks.

Another similar trend was flagpole-sitting, which involved individuals sitting atop flagpoles for extended periods, attracting spectators and media attention. These events often offered participants a chance to earn money and meals, while also drawing large crowds who paid to witness the spectacle unfold.