out of this world
out of this world
Meaning
- used to describe something that is exceptionally good, impressive, or remarkable.
- used to express disbelief or astonishment about something.
- used to convey that something is so unusual or fantastic that it is difficult to understand or grasp fully.
- used to describe something that seems to be from another realm or beyond the ordinary world.
- used to emphasize the exceptional qualities of something.
Example Sentences
- The food at that restaurant is out of this world.
- The magic trick he performed was out of this world.
- The complexity of quantum physics is out of this world.
- The aurora borealis is truly out of this world.
- The special effects in that movie were out of this world.
- The level of talent displayed in the concert last night was out of this world; I’ve never heard such amazing performances before.
Origin and History
The origin of the idiom “out of this world” is not definitively known, but there are a few popular theories:
Astronomical or Cosmic Origin
One theory suggests that the idiom could have originated from the concept of something being so extraordinary or beyond comprehension that it seems to come from another world or beyond the Earth. This interpretation ties into the idea of something being “out of this world” in the sense of being otherworldly or cosmic.
Travel and Exploration
Another theory proposes that the idiom may have originated in the context of travel and exploration. When explorers encountered new lands, cultures, or phenomena that were vastly different from what they knew, they might describe them as “out of this world” to convey their extraordinary nature.
Science Fiction Influence
The rise of science fiction literature and media in the 20th century could have contributed to the popularization of the phrase. Science fiction often deals with futuristic or fantastical concepts that are beyond the scope of ordinary experience, and phrases like “out of this world” could have been used to describe such concepts.
Spiritual or Mystical Connotations
Another possibility is that the phrase has roots in spiritual or mystical beliefs, where experiences or phenomena that transcend the mundane world are described as being “out of this world.”
Through meticulous research conducted via Google Books, we have unearthed the earliest printed documentation dating back to 1517. This seminal work is nestled within the pages of Friedrich Heinrich Bothe’s esteemed publication titled “Joh. Georgii Graevii, Scholia ad Horatii odarum libros duo priores.” It reads:
“There is some room to conjecture, that he (Horace) hastened himself out of this world to accompany his great friend in the next.”
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