Origin of idiom “full of hot air”

Question

Does anyone know the origin of idiom full of hot air. Was it created by Kipling in 19th century ? I need it for 6th grade assignment.

Welcome Lisa! Can you share what your research shows and why you think it came from Kipling? That will help those of us that will dig further to answer your question.

tchrist · Answer 1 · 2013-03-14 22:40:49Z

up vote 2 down vote

The OED says it means

Vaporous or boastful talk, pretentious or unsubstantial statements or claims

And that it was originally U.S., with the first citation given from Mark Twain in 1873.

answered Mar 14 at 22:40

tchrist
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Of course Twain might have heard it from Kipling, who was 7 years old during 1873. – jwpat7 Mar 14 at 22:43

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