Mixed Metaphors

This morning I opened the window blinds and was greeted by a blindingly clear, bright sky. Not even a wisp of cloud to obstruct the view. I told my husband that the sky was "as clear as a bell." Immediately my mind jumped to why I would use a sound metaphor to describe a vision. I asked my wise husband what that phrase meant. After much thoughtful head scratching he decided that it came from the buoy bells that warn ships in the fog. Sounded plausible to me as it combined vision and sound ~ but I decided to check the internet as well. Here's what www.funtrivia.com had to say.....

It means 'clearly understood' 'You don't have to repeat yourself. Your message is clear as a bell.'

Origin: Bells such as the type used in churches are large and loud. Their sound can be heard from a great distance. Bells sound a single, clear note so their sound is distinctive and not easily confused.

Before electric sirens and amplification systems, bells were a valuable means of signaling people and alerting of important events - like an impending attack. The bell and the message intended could be heard clearly over a large area.

Back in the 1910's, many companies were trying to get into the manufacturing and selling one the hottest items around, the phonograph. One of those companies was the Sonora Chime Company. This company started the Sonora Phonograph Company and used 'Clear as a Bell' as their slogan, touting the fidelity of their machine's sound reproduction.

I don't know if all the details are correct but it does sound like technically I've got my metaphors mixed up ~ yet I would be willing to bet that you can clearly picture what I saw!