Silver lining (idiom)

A silver lining is a metaphor for optimism in the common English-language which means a negative occurrence may have a positive aspect to it.[2]

Under a cloud (with a silver lining) (1920). A cartoon depicting George Lansbury. Captions: Under a cloud (with a golden lining) Comrade Lansbury. "Thanks to my faithful brolski not a drop has touched me." [Loud crows from "Daily Herald" bird.] Possibly reflecting an allegation of Soviet funding for the Independent Labour Party. Lansbury founded the Daily Herald.[1]

Origin

The origin of the phrase is most likely traced to John Milton's "Comus" (1634) with the lines,

Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?[3]

It refers to the silvery, shining edges of a cloud backlit by the Sun or the Moon.

See also

References

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