APAD: Cool as a cucumber

“Cool as a cucumber”

 

This idiom means that someone is very calm, relaxed, and self-composed, even in a stressful or nerve-wracking situation. It's like they have an inner zen that keeps them as chill as a cucumber in the fridge!

 

It first appeared in English in the 18th century. The phrase was used in John Gay's poem “New Song on New Similes” in 1732, where he wrote, “I… cool as a cucumber could see the rest of womankind.”

 

Well, it turns out that cucumbers are actually cool to the touch, even on a hot day. This is because they have a high water content and can stay up to 6 or 7 degrees cooler than the outside temperature.  So, when someone is “cool as a cucumber,” they're as calm and collected as a cucumber is cool and refreshing!

 

Examples:

 

• “Did you see how Jenny stayed cool as a cucumber during her big solo? She nailed it!”
• “I was so nervous about my job interview, but my husband was cool as a cucumber and helped me relax.”

- From online source, with editing

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Just checked this morning before posting: for most people, up to 60% of the human adult body is water!!!

No wonder some of us are cool as a cucumber, too. Hooray!