Cloud nine
Meaning
To be in a state of extreme happiness, joy, or euphoria.
Origin
The phrase 'cloud nine' is widely believed to originate from the intricate cloud classification systems developed by meteorologists in the mid-20th century. One popular theory links it to the U.S. Weather Bureau's 1950s International Cloud Atlas. In this detailed system, 'Cloud Nine' was the designation for the Cumulonimbus cloud – a towering, majestic formation that reaches immense heights, often associated with powerful storms and visible at the very top of the atmosphere. To be on this 'highest' cloud became a poetic metaphor for ascending to the pinnacle of joy, a state of ultimate bliss far above the mundane world, where everything feels perfect and serene.
Examples
- After receiving the news of her scholarship, Emily was on cloud nine for the entire day.
- Winning the lottery would surely put anyone on cloud nine for a very long time.