Chrysti The Wordsmith: Cloud 9

Greetings This is Christy Smith Christie the wordsmith from Montana State University in Bozeman for decades now American English speakers when blissfully happy have claimed to be on cloud nine though this is a common expression accounts of its origin are quite mottled. One version has the U.S. Weather Bureau arranging cloud formations in numerical sequence with Level 9 clouds the cumulonimbus writing the skies at 40000 feet. Someone Sitting On top of such a towering below a cloud nine would feel high and blissful indeed. Another account evokes the mystical quality of the number nine. Nine is a trinity of trinities three three Z quill nine and as such is considered the perfect number in Dantes paradise. The ninth level of heaven is closest to the Divine Presence which itself dwells at the tenth and highest heaven. This notion may have enhanced the popularity of the expression on cloud nine. The number 9 occurs in at least two other common American cliches dressed to

the nines and the whole nine yards. Coincidentally both of these expressions have uncertain origins as well. If you'd like to read more stories behind phrases such as these. Look for the titles of cliche dictionaries on the bibliography page of my website. Verb of course feast. The book based on the radio series Christie the wordsmith is also featured at wordsmith radio dot org. CHRISTIE The wordsmith is sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Zoot enterprises a high tech firm in Bozeman Montana offering challenging careers and innovative solutions for the financial services industry. Zoot web dot com.