Episode 253: Clear the Air

 

This week Shauna and Dan look into the phrase, 'Clear the Air' in both its literal and figurative forms. Bonus: Winds of truth, Dan's brilliance, and the little lies we tell

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

 

Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 253: Clear the Air
Record Date: October 28, 2024
Air Date: November 6, 2024

Intro

Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.

I’m Dan Pugh

Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.

Opening Hook
Have you ever been in a situation with a friend or loved one where there’s some unresolved tension between you? You both know there’s something that needs to be said, even if it’s uncomfortable. You just need to get everything out in the open, talk it through, and clear the air.

Meaning

According to Cambridge Dictionary, “clear the air” means

Quote
to remove the bad feelings between people
End quote
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/clear-the-air

The phrase didn’t start out this way, of course.

According to Oxford English Dictionary, “clear the air” means

Quote
to free from clouds, mists, or obscuring elements; now, chiefly, to purify from the sultry conditions which precede a storm
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/clear_v?tab=meaning_and_use#9336865

The OED also indicates that the phrase is used figuratively. And it is this figurative version which we are considering today.


1380
Historically, the phrase has roots in early literature, starting as far back as the late 1300s. The earliest attestation I was able to find comes from John Wycliffe’s Select English works, published around 1380.

Quote
Þenne wyndis of treuþis shulden blowe awey þe heresyes, and cler þe eyrs of holi chirche, þat is now ful troble.
Then winds of truths should blow away the heresies and clear the airs of holy church, that is now full trouble.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/clear_v?tab=meaning_and_use#9336865


1593
Another notable usage appears in 1593, which further explores the emotional connotation of 'clearing the air. This comes from a collection of Elizabethan Sonnets from An English Garner.

Quote
MUST not grieve my love! whose eyes would read
Lines of delight, whereon her youth might smile!
Flowers have a time, before they come to seed;
And she is young, and now must sport the while.
Ah, sport! sweet Maid! in season of these years;
And learn to gather flowers before they wither!
And where the sweetest blossom first appears;
Let Love and Youth conduct thy pleasures thither!
Lighten forth smiles! to clear the clouded air,
And calm the tempest which my sighs do raise !
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/An_English_Garner_Elizabethan_sonnets/3MY3AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=clear

In this work, clear the clouded air is not referring to the physical atmosphere but instead to the emotional state of the speaker.


Before the next item, I want to touch on a common theory on the idiom "clear the air" which is that the phrase’s origin is rooted in the literal concept of freshening or purifying the atmosphere - the air we breathe and the air and sky we can see. This theory is based on the fact that in ye olden times, people believed that bad air could lead to illness.

1670
Continuing through history, the following example from 1670 showcases both literal and figurative interpretations. It comes from a work titled, The Morning Exercise at Cripplegate, by Samuel Annesley.

Quote
Adversity like Winter-weather, of great use to kill weeds and vermin, which the Summer of prosperity is wont to breed. God is fain to rub hard many times to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our Nature. This Thunder serves to clear the air from infectious Vapours.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Morning_Exercise_at_Cripple_gate_The/ChhlAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22clear+the+air%22&pg=PA450&printsec=frontcover

The phrase "clear the air" is being used in both a literal and figurative sense. Literally, it refers to thunder and storms physically clearing the air of "infectious Vapours," which was a common belief in earlier times regarding the effects of weather on health. Figuratively, it suggests that adversity or hardship (symbolized by the thunder) helps to purify or cleanse one’s spirit or nature, much like clearing the air of negative influences or impurities.

I have another couple of items that talk about these concepts and one that likens clearing the air to the revolutions and we will be talking about those during our behind the scenes video which is available every Friday on our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod

1838
Fast forward to 1838, where we see the phrase again applied in a rather dramatic context. This excerpt is from the Maumee express, out of Maumee City, Ohio in the March 03, 1838 edition.

Quote
You have heard tell of cotton rags dipped in turpentine haven’t you, how they produce combustion? Well, I guess we have the elements of spontaneous combustion among us, in abundance; when it does break out, if you don’t see an eruption of gore worse than Etna lava, then I’m mistaken. There’ll be the very devil to pay, that’s a fact; - and all this shoot, hang, cut, stab and burn business will sweeten our folk’s temper, as raw meat does that of a dog - it fairly makes me sick to think on it. The explosion may clear the air again, and all be tranquil once more, but it’s an even chance if it don’t leave us the three steamboat options, to be blown sky high, to be scalded to death, or drowned.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85026142/1838-03-03/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1830&index=13&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=air+clear&proxdistance=5&date2=1850&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=clear+the+air&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

The phrase "three steamboat options" references the inherent dangers of steamboat travel during that era - being "blown sky high" (in an explosion), "scalded to death" (in a boiler accident), or "drowned" (in the event of a steamboat sinking). These were common risks associated with steamboats, which were notorious for their frequent and deadly accidents, particularly involving boiler explosions.

1899
The Madison daily leader, May 15, 1899, out of Madison, South Dakota, includes the article, May Clear The Air: Sir Alfred Milner and President Kruger to Talk Over Differences.

Quote
Pretoria, Transvaal Republic. May 15. The Volksraad has given its approval to the meeting of President Kruger and Sir Alfred Milner, governor of Cape Colony and high commissioner of South Africa, on neutral ground at Bloemfontein. The points of difference are now being discussed, and the general opinion is that the meeting will clear the  air of most of the existing political troubles.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99062034/1899-05-15/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1849&index=5&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=air+AIR+CLEAR+clear&proxdistance=5&date2=1900&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=clear+the+air&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

1916
The day book, out of Chicago, Illinois, August 29, 1916 edition featured a full-page article titled, President Before Congress For Help In Avoiding National Railway Strike: Employers and Men Break - Labor Leaders Can’t Stop Walk-Out Order. Here is an excerpt from the article,

Quote
“There’s going to be a strike. That is certain. Let’s have it. It will clear the air. And that’s the only thing to do now,” one prominent railroad president declared. “It will show the people of the country what is really going on in the industrial world.”
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045487/1916-08-29/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1915&index=3&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=air+clear&proxdistance=5&date2=1963&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=clear+the+air&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

1943
The article Let’s Clear The Air: A statement on the subject of postwar International Air Service was published in the Evening star, October 07, 1943, out of Washington, D.C. The article was written by W.H. Coverdale, President of American Export Airlines, and ends with a personal statement,

Quote
It is my earnest belief that the United States will get out of postwar aviation just what its government and the public are willing to put into it. Regulated competition, as opposed to monopoly - combined with private ownership - and with adequate government and public support, will enable United States aviation to secure for America its rightful share of the air commerce of the world in the postwar period.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-10-07/ed-1/seq-26/#date1=1915&index=12&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=air+AIR+CLEAR+clear&proxdistance=5&date2=1963&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=clear+the+air&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1


We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.

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Modern Uses


2005
“Let's clear the air in restaurants” is an article that was written by a staff writer and published to StarNews Online in 2005. The piece begins,

Quote
North Carolina restaurants would be healthier, safer places for employees and customers alike if smoking were banned. It's time it was.
End quote
https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2005/02/06/lets-clear-the-air-in-restaurants/30773006007/

This idea seems older these days but it is interesting to remember that it wasn’t all that long ago that this shift was made from smoking indoors to it being banned in public spaces.

2008
On a similar note, the National Cancer Institute has a publication available online titled, “Clearing The Air: Quit Smoking Today.” Here is the description,

Quote
This booklet can help people reach their final goal of living a smoke-free life. It is designed to support cessation at any stage of a quitter’s journey, whether they are still thinking about quitting, have made the decision to quit, or have already taken steps to quit and just need help maintaining their new lifestyle.
End quote
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/clearing-the-air

2009
Shifting to entertainment, let's look at a 2009 stand-up comedy special that incorporates the idiom - “Jim Breuer: Let's Clear the Air”. Here is a synopsis from AppleTV,

Quote
One of the "100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time," Jim Breuer joins NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in 1995. Since then, he has gone on to star in several movies, tour the country with his "Heavy Metal Man" and "Family Man" comedy tours, and host a daily show on SIRIUS Satellite Radio called "Breuer Unleashed." You may remember Jim as the infamous Goat Boy from SNL, or his stoner persona from the cult hit "Half Baked." Now he's clearing the air with his concert event, chronicling his transformation from childhood to ultimate family man.
End quote
https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/jim-breuer-lets-clear-the-air/umc.cmc.35vwhden64kdtqsudkza39yn3

2010
Moving to music, The 2010 album “In Desolation” by Off With Their Heads includes the song “Clear The Air.” I like this song. It has a good beat and a little more of the grunge, punk rock feel. I also found an acoustic version which has totally different vibes, which is my pick between the two. The lyrics express things that many people have experienced and I think are paired perfectly with the sound. Here is the first stanza,

Quote
I wanted to tell you, I wanted to share
Some important details that you're unaware of
I want you to listen, I want you to care
I'll choke to death if I don't clear the air
End quote
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ucqLHWHScNs&si=O4vSD-NgUfat3o8K
https://youtu.be/Xfu2H6P0uxk?si=xBYzvQ5WnPjYb0Uu


Clear The Air has been used as the title for a long list of songs. I found songs in nearly every genre - Rap, Jazz, Rock, Alternative, Newage, Broadway-style, Instrumental Easy Listening, and Japanese Meditation and Healing music. There are dozens, possibly over 100 songs listed in Amazon Music alone. We can’t cover all of them but I do have one more that drew my attention because it really is about the crux of the phrase.

2019
Clear The Air is a song by Joe Samba from the Album The Wrong Impression.

The artist’s website says,
Quote
Massachusetts-born Joe Samba delivers a unique mix of island-inspired reggae grooves with a gritty rock edge.
End quote

The song Clear The Air includes some pretty relatable ideas. It discusses the fact that most people run away from issues, building up their anger… and he mentions friends treating one another like enemies. The chorus goes,

Quote
So let’s clear the air
To wash our worries away
It takes one conversation
Clear the air
Clear the air
End quote
https://youtu.be/HiLc0CKLKxI?si=abgTou808xes85Gv

2017
To Clear the Air is a 2017 fiction novel by Mechtild Borrmann. Here is the synopsis from Amazon Publishing,

Quote
Life comes to an end, but memory is forever. A moving epitaph for a lost loved one, or the menacing taunt of a vengeful killer? When a man is found brutally murdered in the woods, those words come to haunt the small German village of Merklen. And homicide inspector Peter Böhm faces the daunting task of unraveling a mystery with deep and twisted roots--in a town where doors stay closed, people stay silent, and death may have the final word.

But the case is just one more uphill battle for Böhm, who's already grappling with a son's death and a marriage on the edge. When a second grisly murder occurs and the same sinister death notice appears, fear spreads that a killer thirsting for justice will continue to spill bad blood. Now, for Böhm and his team of detectives, the only way forward may be back--decades into the past, where a horrific secret was buried...but will no longer lie silent.
End quote
https://books.google.com/books/about/To_Clear_the_Air.html?id=twb6vQAACAAJ&source=kp_book_description

This type of usage is one that has been seen more recently. In this case clear the air is deeper and more severe than discussing an issue or venting emotions. It is used in this stronger manner to indicate that secrets are being revealed, often related to something unsavory - be it illegal, taboo, or any activity that might lead to some form of ostracizing by the person’s community.

2022
Let’s Clear The Air On COVID by Dr. Alondra Nelson, head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Deputy Assistant to the President, was published on whitehouse.gov March 23, 2022. The statement begins,

Quote
The most common way COVID-19 is transmitted from one person to another is through tiny airborne particles of the virus hanging in indoor air for minutes or hours after an infected person has been there. While there are various strategies for avoiding breathing that air – from remote work to masking – we can and should talk more about how to make indoor environments safer by filtering or cleaning air.
End quote
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/03/23/lets-clear-the-air-on-covid/

This use was one of those classic play-on-words styles that are common in journalism. They are opening up - sharing the truth on a topic that makes people uncomfortable and tossing in the pun related to physically cleaning the air.

2024, Current
The next item is on a more positive note. This is the University of Utah’s 2024 U Clear the Air Challenge. Here is a little about it,

Quote
We’re coming together as One U to improve Utah’s air quality and create cleaner, healthier air for everyone. This year, we’re taking on this challenge together as a comprehensive research university and innovative academic medical center. The 2024 U Clear the Air Challenge is your opportunity to make climate-conscious travel choices that will improve our air quality and contribute to the overall health and wellness of our communities.
…
The goal is to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle trips you take and replace them with more sustainable ways to travel, such as using public transit, cycling, walking, carpooling or telecommuting.
End quote
https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/2024-u-clear-the-air-challenge/

They’ve got some prizes for participants and other activities to encourage people to join in.

Whether we’re addressing personal issues or tackling challenges as a community, clearing the air and making thoughtful choices can lead to healthier, more positive outcomes.


Wrap up:
The phrase "clear the air" reminds us that addressing issues head-on often leads to a better understanding and peace of mind. Instead of bottling things up, taking a moment to express ourselves can create room for positivity and growth, helping us move forward with a fresh perspective.

Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com


Dan:

It’s patron poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons, which of these do you say that probably isn't going to be true?

The options include:
I'm on my way
I'm listening
Five more minutes
I didn't see your text
I have no idea

And the winner among our Patrons is… “Five more minutes”

JGP said
Quote
Anytime "five more minutes" is craft related, it is guaranteed to be a lie. I'll fully intend to just get to the most convenient stopping point and then put it down but that is never what happens. And then it becomes self perpetuating because when I do remember I was going to finish just this one bit before doing something else it is usually at a point that isn't a good place to stop at so I tell myself I will stop as soon as I get to the *next* good stopping point but do I remember I was going to stop then? Of course not. And you can guess what happens as a result.
End quote

Shauna
I have also found myself in this loop of working until the next stopping point and crossing right over it when I get there. I do this with crafts, too, JGP. I think I also do this with many other things. I tell myself, “I’m just going to answer one more email.” or “Just going to read to the end of this chapter.”

And if I’m honest, I use all of these phrases… and not always with the full intent behind them. My kids were talking about this habit of saying certain phrases that we aren’t using truthfully. And it isn’t out of a negative place, it’s just a weird thing we’ve trained ourselves to do.

I sometimes say “I’m on my way.” when I am leaving my office. But if I haven’t left the building yet… I may not actually be on my way yet. I have to walk out of the building and not be caught by anyone to chat or ask me that one more quick question.

I also say, “I have no idea” with some frequency. I usually mean I have nothing additional to contribute or for some situations, that I prefer not get involved. ‘I have no idea’ is like a default phrase.

Dan:
I will say "I have no idea" because my brain has not quite processed whatever you just said. And then I process it. So then I do know.

And I am frequently accused of not having listened to someone. But I have genetic hearing loss, so I’m going to say that is the primary issue of that one and I’ll not entertain any questions on the topic.

As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!

Outro

Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,

Together:
Words belong to their users.