What does it mean to be in cloud 9?

Hey friend! You ever feel like you‘re floating on air, like everything in life is just clicking and you don‘t have a worry in the world? You know that feeling when you just wanna jump up and down and shout from the rooftops how freaking fantastic you feel? Well my buddy, that‘s what we call being "on cloud nine". Let me break it down for ya…

Being "on cloud nine" refers to an overwhelming feeling of happiness, elation or blissful delight. The idiomatic expression paints a picture of someone who is floating high up in the clouds, without a care in the world. But where did this blissful phrase come from, and what exactly does it mean to be in cloud nine? Let‘s lift the curtains on this little slice of linguistic heaven.

The History and Origin Story

While the exact origin is uncertain, researchers agree "cloud nine" gained popularity in the early- to mid-20th century. The influential etymologist William Morris notes its first documented use in a 1932 column in the Santa Cruz Sentinel joking about Ogden Nash’s writing ambitions.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, early use referred to the clouds themselves rather than the euphoric feeling. By the 1950s, it had taken on its familiar meaning of feeling utter bliss.

There are several theories regarding its origin:

• In Buddhist mythology, the ninth and highest cloud you could climb represented perfection. This state of enlightenment paved the road to nirvana.

• The ninth stage of Buddhist spiritual enlightenment is the stage of "perfection" representing absolute happiness.

• The cumulonimbus cloud number nine was the highest cloud in the World Meteorological Organization‘s International Cloud Atlas from the 19th century onward.

• The Cloud 9 aircraft used for weather research in the 1950s set flight altitude records, touching the highest clouds.

Like dreams floating through the atmosphere, the history evaporates into the ether. But the phrase certainly spread its cultural wings in the 20th century as a symbol of heavenly joy.

When We Use It

People typically use "cloud nine" to describe temporary sensations of intense joy, excitement or accomplishment. For example, you feel like you‘re on cloud nine when:

• You win a championship game with a buzzer-beater shot.
• You ace a crucial exam you thought you failed.
• The person you‘re crushing on agrees to go out with you.
• You get hired for a dream job with a massive salary bump.
• Your child is born after hours of anxious labor.

It evokes the feeling of euphoria when something incredibly exciting happens that lifts our spirit to the heavens. Cloud nine isn‘t about everyday contentment – it‘s about peak thrills and sensory overload!

Psychologist Mila Kingsbury notes, "The feeling of cloud nine represents emotional sensations at their most intense. For most people it‘s short-lived, coming in bursts when their most ambitious dreams are finally realized after striving tirelessly."

Just How Happy Are We Talking Here?

Let‘s just say cloud nine is way more than just feeling cheerful. It conveys an extreme, even exaggerated positive state. The sensation is like leaping above the clouds, breaking through the atmosphere to somewhere magical floating among the cosmos.

When you feel this good, nothing can bother you. You‘re invincible. It‘s you versus the world and you are winning!

To understand how euphoric this feels, it helps to compare it to its opposite emotions:

While being "happy" is nice, being on cloud nine is infinitely better – almost unnaturally ecstatic.

Nicki Minaj Nails the Feeling in Song

Pop culture like music illustrates that tingly excitement perfectly. In Nicki Minaj‘s 2012 hit "Right by My Side", she sings:

Starships were meant to fly
Hands up, and touch the sky
Can‘t stop, cause we‘re so high
Let‘s do this one more time

Minaj is feeling so elated that she can‘t stop shouting and praising this euphoric intensity. She wants to bottle this feeling forever.

Is Cloud Nine a Natural High?

When we feel this psyched up and energetic, it can seem almost drug-induced. But true cloud nine happens naturally when we achieve profound dreams like new love or career success.

According to psychology, emotions release neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins, serotonin. This gives us similar euphoria to illicit drugs, but it‘s from meaningful life events rather than substances.

Of course drugs attempt to mimic these natural highs. But they can‘t compete with the depth of happiness we feel when dreams actually come true through hard work.

Floating Just Below Cloud Nine

If supreme joy is cloud nine, then cloud seven is that slightly lower but still amazing floaty feeling. Think when you get a promotion at work, or make out with your crush for the first time. You might say "I‘m on cloud seven right now!"

Cloud eight would be a bit higher than seven, but still a notch below the pinnacle of bliss. Hey, not every amazing moment in life can be up there with your wedding day or birth of your kids. Gotta save some room at the top.

Rising Above: Cloud Ten

At the opposite end of the spectrum, cloud ten represents an even higher sense of joy than nine. This frames cloud nine as still being somewhat grounded, while saying "cloud ten" really drives home that you‘re euphoric beyond comprehension.

For instance, your favorite team just won the championship on a miracle shot and you got it on video. That takes you past cloud nine into the decimal clouds of ten and beyond!

Joy to the World!

At the end of the day, the feeling of being "on cloud nine" represents an incredible sensation we all chase. Life would be boring if we felt content all the time. We need those spikes of elation when magic happens.

For me, I vividly remember the joy of selling my first video game at age 19. After years of rejection, someone finally believed in my work. I was on cloud fifteen when I saw that first deposit hit my bank account. Bliss!

So while cloud nine doesn‘t stick around forever, remembering the euphoria it brings can lift our spirits even on rainy days. Keep dreaming big my friends. I hope you soar on cloud nine soon and tell me all about it!