The Dictionary of American Slang (1960) had the first printed definition of the term cloud seven.Ĭloud seven – completely happy, perfectly satisfied in a euphoric state. That stuff is way up on Cloud Thirty-nine. Mantovani’s skilled used of reeds and strings puts this disc way up on Cloud Seven.Īnd here’s an excerpt from a 1956 edition of Ross’s Hustlers: Here’s an example of “Cloud Seven” being used in a 1952 edition of The San Mateo Times: I think he has thought of everything, unless the authorities pull something new on him out of cloud nine. Here’s the earliest example of “cloud nine” found by Martin, from an August 1946 edition of The Oxford Press-Courier: Here’s an example of the phrase “cloud eight,” as found in The Underworld Speaks (1935), a directory of slang by Albin Pollock:Ĭloud eight, befuddled on account of drinking too much liquor. The phrase “Cloud Seven” was the early favorite and Martin surmises the reason might be the influence from the phrase “seventh heaven.” In some cases, other numbers, like seven, eight, and even thirty-nine, were used in cloud expressions. Martin found some early uses of the term cloud nine and found that the meaning of the phrase came from the use of the word “cloud” rather than the number.

In any case, Martin concluded that the phrase “on cloud nine” came into usage during the mid-20 th century in the United States. To stop at nine to signify euphoria would be silly. The fact is that the cloud classifications and stages to enlightenment each number more than nine (ten, to be exact). Another theory is that Cloud Nine is one of the stages to enlightenment for a Bodhisattva (one destined to become a Buddha). Weather Bureau (now called the National Weather Service) beginning in the 1950’s. TheoriesĪccording to Gary Martin, there were two theories behind the existence of the phrase “on cloud nine,” one being that it came about to denote a cumulonimbus cloud, one of the ten classifications of cloud as defined by the U.S. The entry for “on cloud nine” at The Phrase Finder was the most helpful. I believe that year is incorrect, because other sources found earlier possible origins for the phrase. I consulted numerous sources, and only three talked about the possible origin of “on cloud nine.” Merriam-Webster OnlineĪt Merriam-Webster Online, a page gives a short definition for the phrase “cloud nine,” but lists the year of its first known use as 1959. They’re elated and something good has happened to them to put them in such a great mood. When someone says they’re “on cloud nine,” we can tell that that person is happy.

This is another phrase that’s easy to decipher, especially because of how it’s used. Now, without much ado, let’s look at the phrase “on cloud nine.” Plus, it was fun to do the research for this post (and mess with Photoshop for a bit).

This phrase might not have much of a connection with current events, but it is one that’s very familiar. This is the final Famous Sayings post I will do for 2017, so I’d thought I end it on somewhat of a positive note.

Only on cloud nine meaning