032_Clouds

032_Clouds

Summer is a beautiful time for clouds and Nichibei student Yuki has some a question about a cloud idiom.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. Today I’m speaking with Nichibei student Yuki. How are you today Yuki?

Yuki:

Pretty good Kevin.

Kevin:

So, Yuki, Do you have a question for this episode?

Yuki:

Yes I do. But I was wondering, could we go outside? I want to ask my question outside. Besides, it’s a little hot in here.

Kevin:

OK. I don’t see why not. Let’s go. …. Wow! look as the sky! The clouds are so beautiful!

Yuki:

Yeah they are, and my question is about clouds.

John Comerford:

Hi Kevin, Hi Yuki.

Kevin:

John! Hi!.

Yuki:

Hello Mr. Cumerford.

John Comerford:

What are you two doing, making a podcast?

Kevin:

That’s right. Yuki has a question about clouds, is that right?

Yuki:

Right. I was reading and I found the sentence, ‘every cloud has a silver leaning’.

John Comerford:

That’s lining, not leaning. A silver lining.

Yuki:

What does lining mean

John Comerford:

A lining is a layer of different material which covers the inside of a surface of something. Like, …. the silk lining of a jacket.

Yuki:

So, Every cloud has a silver lining means that even bad situations can have some good points.

John Comerford:

That’s exactly right. So even if you lost your job, you might have a chance to get a better one. Every Cloud has a silver lining.

Yuki:

I got it. That’s a very positive idiom.

John Comerford:

That reminds me of another cloud idiom.

Yuki:

What is it?

John Comerford:

On cloud nine. You’d use it like this. My first child was born yesterday so I’m on cloud nine today!

Yuki:

That sounds like it means very happy.

John Comerford:

You’re exactly right. It means extremely happy.

Yuki:

But why nine?

John Comerford:

Well, did you know that there are ten types of clouds.

Cloud nine is the beautiful, fluffy summer clouds we see today.

They’re called cumulus clouds.

Yuki:

Ahh, I wish I was a bird and could fly up there in the clouds.

John Comerford:

Yuki, you have your head in the clouds.

Yuki:

Huh? Is that another idiom?

John Comerford:

That’s right. If you have your head in the clouds you’re daydreaming, or not being realistic.

Yuki:

Oh, OK. I’ll come back down to earth.

Thanks for your explanations John.

John Comerford:

My Pleasure

Yuki:

And thank you too Kevin.

Kevin:

You’re welcome Yuki.

Kevin:

Now let’s review the phrases for this episode. Every cloud has a silver lining, and on cloud nine. I’m on cloud nine, and to have one’s head in the clouds. He’s never serious, he always has his head in the clouds.

END