Under the weather?

Reader question:

Please explain “under the weather” in this: “My voice is under the weather.”

My comments:

The speaker, whoever that is, is ill. Hence, he’s unable to speak properly. He’s lost his voice. That is, he’s lost his normal, clear and healthy voice.

We often hear people say that they are under the weather, i.e. ill. But seldom do we hear someone say that a particular part of their body is under the weather. The meaning is the same, though – they’re under the influence of the weather.

Under the influence of the weather?

Yeah, they’re under the influence of the weather after, say, walking in the rain, in the same way drunkards are under the influence of alcohol after drinking all night.

In both cases, they’re being affected greatly.

This is the correct way to understand the idiom “under the weather”. However, this isn’t the origin of the phrase.

The phrase is, originally, “under the weather bow”, referring to sailors going under deck to avoid harsh weather – heavy wind and rain, etc.

The weather bow, by the way, refers to the side of the boat directly facing the rain.

Here’s a full explanation from FarmersAlmanac.com:

Linguist Richard Lederer tells us that “under the weather,” meaning feeling ill, comes from the language of sailors.

On the high seas, when the wind would start to blow hard and the water became rough, crewmen and travelers would go below deck and down to their cabins in order to ride out the storm and avoid becoming seasick. In this way, they literally retreated to a location “under the weather.”

In digging a little further, we find out more. According to Salty Dog Talk: The Nautical Origins of Everyday Expressions by Bill Beavis and Richard G. McCloskey, the term in its entirety is “under the weather bow.” The authors tell us the weather bow is “the side [of the ship] upon which all the rotten weather is blowing.”

Why “Bow”?

On any ship, the “bow” is the front. The “weather side” is the side facing the wind. So the “weather bow” is the front-and-windward corner of the ship, the corner that takes the most spray and chop in a storm. A passenger sent below to escape that pounding was, in plain terms, “under the weather bow.” The phrase shortened over time to “under the weather,” and the original sea-going meaning faded as the figurative one took over.

See?

All right, let’s read a few media examples of “under the weather” for a better feel:

1. STEPHEN A. Smith has taken over the reins on First Take after Molly Qerim was struck by a sudden illness.

The veteran analyst, 55, revealed that his long-term partner was feeling “under the weather” during Friday’s show.

Smith and Qerim have worked alongside each other on First Take since 2015.

Molly was joined in the ESPN New York studio by former NFL star Bart Scott, with Stephen A. and fellow analyst Ryan Clark calling in remotely.

The panel was discussing the Chicago Bears win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football when Smith interrupted proceedings.

He said: “We got to go to a break. Molly is feeling a little under the weather.

“She’ll feel better. She’s a rough rider, she’s tough. She’ll feel better.

“Until then, Stephen A. is officially taking over First Take. We need to go to commercial.”

Following the ad break, Smith continued: “Let me give you all the rules.

“I am the boss. You speak, when I say you speak! And you cut it, when I say you cut it.”

- ‘GET WELL SOON’ Molly Qerim abruptly leaves First Take during live show with illness as co-star Stephen A. Smith ‘officially takes over’, The-Sun.com, October 6, 2023.

2. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looked exhausted and was physically unable to stand up in a video that’s circulating the internet, sparking concerns about her health ahead of her planned trip to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump.

The video taken on Thursday, March 12, shows Takaichi in a budget committee meeting looking unwell before she struggles to stand, resulting in her aides rushing to help.

Her team confirmed to CNN that she is under the weather with a cold and recently had to cancel meetings with Middle Eastern ambassadors, the outlet reported.

This now viral moment has added to the growing concerns from Japanese citizens surrounding her health, as she’s previously shared she only sleeps between two and four hours a night, per The Japan Times – something her fellow legislators have objected to.

The video also comes six days before Takaichi is set to meet with Trump on March 19 in Washington D.C. at a leaders' summit to discuss Japan's $550 billion investment in the United States, based on last year’s bilateral agreement, per The Japan News.

- Japan’s Prime Minister Sparks Health Concerns After She’s Seen Struggling to Stand on Video Ahead of Trump Summit, People.com, March 13, 2026.

3. Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City, has been hospitalised and is reported to be in critical but stable condition, according to his spokesperson. The update follows a wave of online speculation about the 81-year-old’s health after he appeared unwell during a recent broadcast.

Ted Goodman, speaking on behalf of Giuliani, confirmed the development in a statement shared on X on Sunday. ‘Mayor Giuliani is a fighter who has faced every challenge in his life with unwavering strength, and he’s fighting with that same level of strength as we speak,’ the statement said. No further details about the cause of his hospitalisation have been provided.

The announcement comes after Giuliani told viewers on Friday that he was feeling ‘under the weather’ during his programme America’s Mayor Live. He was seen coughing during the broadcast and noted that his voice was affected. Rumours circulating on social media suggesting he had died have not been substantiated, with official statements confirming he is alive and receiving treatment.

Giuliani's hospitalisation appears to have followed several days of visible health concerns. During his livestreamed programme, he acknowledged difficulty speaking and appeared fatigued, prompting concern among viewers.

According to CNN, the former mayor had maintained a regular broadcast schedule in recent months, although he had missed several episodes in April before returning to a full weekday schedule in March. No official diagnosis has been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether his condition is linked to a specific illness.

- Is Rudy Giuliani Dead? Former NYC Mayor Hospitalised in Critical Condition Days After Saying He Was ‘Under the Weather’, IBTimes.co.uk, May 4, 2026.

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About the author:

Zhang Xin is Trainer at chinadaily.com.cn. He has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.

（作者：张欣）