How a Rumor About Stolen Clouds Spread Across Social Media
far-fetched: something that is unlikely or hard to believe
Can one country steal another country’s rain? It sounds far-fetched, but a rumor back in January spread that Türkiye was stealing rain from Iran. Pictures shared on social media showed Türkiye with snowy mountains while Iran’s mountains were dry.
Some said they were using a method called cloud seeding to redirect rain clouds from Iran. This is not the first time an accusation like this has been made. In 2018, a high-ranking member of Iran’s military accused the UAE of stealing their rain.
Cloud seeding is a way to make clouds produce rain using chemicals like silver iodide. Some people believe that if Turkey were to successfully seed clouds near the border, those clouds might rain over Turkey instead of continuing into Iran and releasing rain there.
While drought is a very real concern in Iran, some experts say there isn’t scientific proof of the ability to consistently produce rain. Scientists explain that clouds are always moving and changing. Even if a country tries to make it rain, there is no guarantee the clouds will stay in one place long enough to bring it.
Sample sentences
It seems far-fetched to think that a cat could learn to talk, but some people believe it could happen one day.
The idea that aliens have visited Earth might sound far-fetched, but many people find it interesting to imagine.
The plan to build a city on the moon might seem far-fetched now, but it could be possible in the future.
Origin
The expression “far-fetched” dates back to the 16th century. It comes from the idea that something “fetched” or brought from a faraway place would be unlikely or hard to believe. Long ago, people used this phrase to describe stories or ideas that seemed strange or impossible because they felt like they came from a place far from reality. Over time, it became a common way to describe anything that seems difficult to believe.