The Loaded Phrase: Why Do We Say 'It's Nice Out'?

Have you ever wondered why, when you step outside and the skies are clear and the temperature is just right, you find yourself saying, “It's nice out”?

Understanding Colloquial Redundancy

Often, language is full of seemingly redundant phrases that have become part of our standard vernacular, making us say things like "a white snow" and "a soft blanket". The phrase "It's nice out" is no exception. It's a curious expression that stems from a combination of convention, laziness, ignorance, and indifference, collectively known as colloquial redundancy.

The Absence of Context and Common Understanding

Interestingly, if you were to remove all the contexts that make up the statement "the weather outside is nice", you'll end up in a void, or a sixth day of creation, where the passage of time suggests the need for context and common understanding.

While indoors, we are not usually affected by drastic meteorological events. If we were to step outside and find the weather mildly pleasant, saying "It's nice out" becomes a way to express our relief from the uncertainty and chaos that the weather often brings. We might say it because it provides a sense of normalcy and comfort in the midst of the ever-changing weather conditions.

The Ever-Present Weather

The weather is always present, even if it's not as noticeable when you're indoors. Without weather, the Earth would lack an atmosphere, making life as we know it impossible. But why do we need to point out the obvious when the skies are clear?

The phrase "It's nice out" is often used to acknowledge the pleasantness of a warm, sunny day. It is also used to contrast the current weather with unpleasant conditions like rain, snow, or strong winds. For example, if you step out after a storm, you might say, "It's nice out today," in contrast to the stormy conditions you just experienced.

Exploring the Weather Spectrum

Just because a day is sunny, it doesn't mean it's nice. Weather conditions can range from sweltering heat and extremely high humidity to cold, below-freezing temperatures and windy gusts. Severe thunderstorms with hail and tornados, or massive blizzards with ice sleet and several inches of snow, can all occur, even when the sun is shining.

When the weather is sunny and warm, we say, "it's nice out." This phrase acknowledges the pleasant conditions and provides a sense of relief from the more challenging weather that often accompanies lower temperatures, storms, or other unfavorable conditions.

So, the next time you find yourself saying, "It's nice out," take a moment to appreciate the context and the common understanding that makes this phrase a part of our everyday language.