Of all the basic elements of our planet －earth, water, air and fire－the least substantial is the air that invisibly surrounds us. Of course we can see and feel the effects of air, such as the wind blowing leaves on a tree, or an ocean breeze cooling us in summer.

Hunters shoot their guns at animals or at practice targets, but would never think of shooting their guns at something as insubstantial as the air, the sky, the wind or a breeze. For a hunter, trying to "shoot the breeze" would be a useless waste of time and bullets. Since many of our conversations with good friends are also wasting time pleasantly talking about insubstantial topics, we may compare those conversations to "shooting the breeze." There is no profit in it, no deep purpose, but we "shoot the breeze" anyway, just for fun.