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

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.