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You are here: Home / Language / What Does the Term “Sea Change” Mean and Where Did the Phrase Originate?

What Does the Term “Sea Change” Mean and Where Did the Phrase Originate?

March 16, 2020 by Karen Hill

Sea change is a term often used in politics that refers to a surprising and significant change from a previous position.

Early sailors were very familiar with the sudden and unpredictable temperament of the sea, which was calm one minute and life-threatening and dangerous the next.

They introduced the expression “sea change” into everyday English language meaning any sudden transformation.

When someone suffers a “sea change”, it means it was a sudden change.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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