If you live in Abbotsford, B.C., you probably own an umbrella because Abbotsford is right at the top of the list when it comes to Canada’s rainiest cities. In Abbotsford (and in a few other cities, including Vancouver and St. John’s, Halifax), they could justifiably adopt the idiom “right as rain.”
This idiom originated in Britain, where umbrellas abound. Although I haven’t heard it used in the Yukon, in our semi-arid climate, I have heard it in my lifetime.
Right as Rain
If it’s right as rain, it’s as it should be; it’s normal and expected; it’s right on track, exactly as anticipated. It also refers to a congenial frame of mind, or even a state of physical comfort. I must admit, despite its unfamiliarity here, I quite like it. The alliteration gives it a nice ring. If I were living in an area where rain was the norm in the weather forecast, I would definitely use this.
It wouldn’t make sense here in the Yukon and I can’t honestly think of a Northern replacement* for it.
There is a real sense of contentment and positivity with this idiom. An all-is-right-with-the-world sentimentality. I think I have an umbrella somewhere …
*All right, so this summer proved me wrong. If you don’t own an umbrella, you probably wished you did at some point. July and August were almost double the average rainfall in the Yukon (according to the chart on MeteoWhitehorse.ca). “Right as rain” may gain in popularity here after this summer!
