Ever had plans that got offset because of bad weather or a last - minute docket variety ? If so , you might have been offer arain confirmation .

This musical phrase is a direction to say , " Let ’s do this subsequently " or , " defend onto this as a promise for the future ! " From baseball game game to store gross sales , the rain balk has become a common style to reschedule , and it all started with outcome that were literally rained out .

Today , masses utilise " rain check " as a everyday wayto defer plansto a later engagement or pass an offer they ca n’t accomplish right forth . Whether it ’s an event that require to be reschedule or a sale item that ’s out of stock , offer a rainfall check has become a practical fashion to become letdown into a second chance .

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What Does ‘Rain Check’ Mean?

When someone say , " I ’ll take a pelting check , " they ’re asking to remit a plan event or reschedule a commitment for a future particular date . It ’s like say , " I ca n’t make it now , but I ’d love to do this later . "

Rain checks are common in fooling conversations as a cultured way to remit an invitation or exsert a promise to follow through at a later metre .

A rain deterrent is essentially a table extension or a document assure the fling will still be sound later on . In stores , rain checks can apply to sale items when the particular runs out of breed , let client buy it at the same price once it ’s available .

For event , a rain check usually think the just the ticket stub is good for a late performance or date . This hope for next role turns what could have been a drop opportunity into something to look forward to .

Origins of the Term ‘Rain Check’

The term originated in the world of American baseball game .

Back in the late nineteenth century , if a baseball plot was rained out or cancelled for other reasons , the result organizers would bring out " rain checks " to ticket holders , making their slate check stub good for a later date .

This papers assured them that they could return to a future game or the re - scheduled one without take to buy another ticket . These rainwater baulk became a commodious way to keep fans happy despite bad atmospheric condition interrupt the scheduled event .

Expanding to Retail

Over time , the conception of a rainwater check expand beyond sport to other events and even service proffer at retail setting . Many stores started offering rain checks when sale items were unavailable , allowing customer to purchase the point at the sale terms on a later date .

Today , rain checks enforce to any situation where something is postponed or submit with the assurance it can be savour at a ulterior time .

Examples of ‘Rain Check’ in Everyday Conversation

The term " rainfall check " pops up in various situations , from social assembly to shopping and beyond . Here are some examples of how you might hear it used in everyday conversation :

In each of these examples , rainwater checks playact as a hope for a 2d hazard , seduce a missed opportunity experience like an extension rather than a red . So , the next time you need to reschedule or defer an invitation , remember that a rainwater check is n’t just a " no " — it ’s a " not now , but shortly ! "

We created this article in junction with AI technology , then made certain it was fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .