the authentic origin of ‘out of the blue’

The phrase out of the blue means without warning, completely unexpectedly.

It is from a bolt out of, also from, the blue, denoting a sudden and unexpected event, a complete surprise, with reference to the unlikelihood of a thunderbolt coming from a clear blue sky. For example, The Standard (London) of 26 th August 1863 had:

Murder now rises up before us, gaunt and unmitigated, in a circle where all seemed lovely, virtuous, and peaceful. This is verily “a bolt out of the blue”—the lightning flash in a sunny sky.

The Dundee Courier & Argus (Dundee, Scotland) of 28 th April 1875 thus began its account of an incident at the House of Commons:

London, Tuesday Evening.
A bolt out of the blue struck this afternoon. Nothing calmer than the Parliamentary sky could be imagined. The House of Commons was scantily filled. Questions had been as dull and heavy as a West Indian summer day. In the lobbies members were complaining that nothing was moving.

The earliest known use of out of the blue is from The Spectator (London) of 22 nd February 1879, at the beginning of an article titled The “Times” on the standing Army of India:

What is the Times at? Twice this week, the organ of her Majesty’s Government has fired off articles so completely “out of the blue” that it is difficult to believe they are uninspired, which point [sic] to some impending coup d’état or coup de théâtre to be immediately struck in India.

The phrase out of the blue has the same meaning as out of a clear (blue) sky and variants. The earliest instance that I have found is from The Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) of 28 th June 1836:

The late veto of President Jackson on the bill to fix a day for the yearly adjournment of Congress, was like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky. It took both the friends and enemies of the administration by surprise.

The Gloucester Journal (Gloucester, Gloucestershire) of 22 nd June 1878 had:

The Conservative party is famous for its stolid cohesion; but although reunion will presently be accomplished, the usually compact column has been riven this week as though by a thunderbolt shot suddenly out of a blue sky.

On 29 th June 1894, The Brown County World (Hiawatha, Kansas) published an article which thus begins:

Like a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder, out of a clear, blue sky, so came the report throughout Walnut township Wednesday morning, June 13, that Mr. Andrew Carothers is no more among the living on earth.

An early use of out of a blue sky without explicit reference to thunder is from the Bedfordshire Advertiser and Luton Times (Luton, Bedfordshire) on 23 rd April 1909, which criticised the “diatribe” that Winston Churchill “directed against his colleagues in the Cabinet” about the Navy (at that time, Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was President of the Board of Trade and MP for the constituency of Dundee):

He [= Churchill] has apparently forgotten his utterances at Dundee in October last, when he spoke of the way in which crises and difficult situations can suddenly arise; how they come out of a blue sky with scarcely any warning or premonitory sign, and how very vain it would be for a nation like ourselves to trust merely to the stipulations of international agreements, or to the smooth phrases of ceremonious diplomacy.

Out Of The Blue: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

“Out of the blue” is an idiomatic expression that refers to something happening suddenly and without warning. It can be used to describe a wide range of unexpected events, from a surprise visit from an old friend to a sudden change in the weather. The phrase emphasizes the element of surprise and the lack of anticipation for the event in question.

In short :

• “Out of the blue” denotes something that occurs abruptly and without warning.
• The term is often used when something or someone appears or happens unexpectedly.

What Does “Out of the Blue” Mean?

When we say something comes “out of the blue,” we mean it happens totally unexpectedly. It’s like a bird suddenly swooping down while you’re enjoying a peaceful walk in the park. You didn’t see it coming; it just happened without any warning at all. This expression is also used when a situation seems to appear from nowhere, like a magic trick.

Imagine you’re walking in a desert, there’s nothing but sand for miles around, and then, out of nowhere, an oasis appears. This mirage that popped up “out of the blue” is just like a surprising event in our lives — we can’t see the reason or the cause right away.

Let’s delve into its core meanings and usage:

• “Out of the blue” denotes a sudden, unexpected event, occurrence, or statement that takes one by surprise. It could refer to anything from an unexpected phone call to an unforeseen event or decision.
• You can use “out of the blue” in both positive and negative situations. For instance, an unexpected job offer or an unanticipated breakup can both be described as happening “out of the blue.”
• Similar phrases to “out of the blue” include “out of nowhere,” “unexpectedly,” and “all of a sudden.”

Where Does “Out of the Blue” Come From?

The idiom likely derives from the longer phrase “a bolt out of the blue,” which refers to a sudden and unexpected event. This phrase draws on the imagery of a thunderbolt coming from a clear blue sky, an event that would indeed be quite surprising. The earliest known use of “out of the blue” is found in an article titled “The Times on the Standing Army of India” in The Spectator (London) from 22nd February 1879.

Historical Example

“Murder now rises up before us, gaunt and unmitigated, in a circle where all seemed lovely, virtuous, and peaceful. This is verily ‘a bolt out of the blue’—the lightning flash in a sunny sky.”

– The Standard, Aug 1863

“What is the Times at? Twice this week, the organ of her Majesty’s Government has fired off articles so completely ‘out of the blue’ that it is difficult to believe they are uninspired, which point [sic] to some impending coup d’état or coup de théâtre to be immediately struck in India.”

– The Spectator, Feb 1879

10 Examples of “Out of the Blue” in Sentences

To help you understand how and when to use this idiom, here are some examples from various contexts:

• While I was surfing the net, an out-of-the-blue message from an old friend popped up on my screen.
• Out of the blue, she announced that she was moving abroad for her studies.
• Out of the blue, I bumped into the one that got away at the grocery store.
• When they invited me to join their weekend trip out of the blue, I said, “I’m game!”
• My sister called me out of the blue to spill the tea about the latest neighborhood gossip.
• They had been friends for years when, out of the blue, he asked her out on a date.
• During our hike, we encountered a gnarly tree out of the blue, with twisted branches reaching out in all directions.
• The sudden rainstorm came out of the blue on what had been a perfectly sunny day.
• Out of the blue, my coworker started to fawn over the new intern, showering him with compliments.
• The news of her pregnancy came out of the blue and left everyone surprised.

Examples of “Out of the Blue” in Pop Culture

The phrase “out of the blue” is also widely used in pop culture, often in scenarios depicting unexpected events or surprises.

Let’s check out a few instances:

• “Out of the Blue” is a 2004 song by Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, a heartfelt ballad that explores the unexpected nature of love.
• “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)” is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, a reflection on the fleeting nature of fame and the music industry.
• “Out of the Blue” is a 1987 album by American singer Debbie Gibson, featuring a title song that captures the spontaneous and unpredictable aspects of young love.
• “Out of the Blue” is an instrumental piece by British musician Elton John from his album “Blue Moves.” The piece was used as the closing theme of the television series “Top Gear,” reflecting the show’s unexpected and thrilling moments.
• “Out of the Blue” is a British police drama series from 1995, where the title signifies the sudden and unexpected nature of the crime.
• “Out of the Blue” is an American sitcom for teens aired in 1996, the title reflecting the unpredictable and often surprising events of teenage life.
• “Out of the Blue” is a 1991 British television film starring Colin Firth and Catherine Zeta-Jones, where the title signifies the unexpected twists and turns in the characters’ lives.
• “Out of the Blue” is a 2002 documentary film on the UFO phenomenon, exploring the sudden and unexplained sightings that have intrigued people for decades.
• “Out of the Blue” is a 2008 novel by British author Belinda Jones, a romantic adventure that captures the unexpected twists and turns of life and love.

Other/Different Ways to Say “Out of the Blue”

There are various other phrases that convey a similar meaning to “out of the blue.”

Here are a few alternatives:

• Suddenly
• Unexpectedly
• All of a sudden
• Without warning
• From left field
• On a whim
• Without notice
• As a surprise
• At random
• Like a bolt from the blue

10 Frequently Asked Questions About “Out of the Blue”:

“Out of the blue” is an idiom that means unexpectedly or without any prior warning.

• How can I use “out of the blue” in a sentence?

You can use “out of the blue” in a sentence to signify a sudden, unexpected event. For example, “My friend called me out of the blue to be the bearer of bad news about our high school reunion.”

• Where does the idiom “out of the blue” come from?

The phrase “out of the blue” is believed to have originated from the full phrase “a bolt out of the blue,” referring to a surprise like a lightning bolt from a clear sky.

• Is “out of the blue” used in both spoken and written English?

Yes, “out of the blue” is commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate suddenness or unexpectedness.

Not necessarily. While “out of the blue” often refers to surprises, these can be either positive or negative. The context in which it’s used determines its connotation.

• Can “out of the blue” refer to people as well as events?

Yes, “out of the blue” can refer to an unexpected visit or contact from someone as well as a surprising event.

• Does “out of the blue” suggest a lack of preparation?

“Out of the blue” implies that an event or situation was unexpected and therefore likely unprepared for, but it does not inherently suggest a lack of preparation.

• Is there a specific context in which “out of the blue” is used?

“Out of the blue” can be used in a wide range of contexts, anywhere an element of surprise or suddenness is involved. It is often used in both personal and professional contexts.

• Can “out of the blue” be used to express positive surprises?

Yes, “out of the blue” can certainly be used to describe positive surprises, such as an unexpected promotion or a surprise visit from a friend.

• Is “out of the blue” a universal concept?

While the phrase “out of the blue” is English, the concept of something happening suddenly and unexpectedly is universal, and every language likely has an equivalent phrase.

Final Thoughts About “Out of the Blue”

When we say something happened “out of the blue,” it’s just like saying it happened out of nowhere without any warning. It’s a fun way to talk about something that catches you off guard.

Here’s a quick recap:

• “Out of the blue” is used to denote an event or situation that occurs suddenly and without warning.
• The phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, from personal relationships to professional situations, to convey surprise or suddenness.
• While it might often be associated with a lack of preparedness due to its unexpected nature, it doesn’t necessarily carry a negative connotation.

Whether we’re faced with a pleasant surprise or an unexpected challenge, the phrase “out of the blue” reminds us of life’s unpredictability and the need to adapt to whatever comes our way.

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