Re: The
balloon has gone up
Posted by Jim on January
09, 2002 In Reply to: Re: The balloon has gone
up posted by James Briggs on January 09, 2002
: : Does anyone
know the origin of the phrase, "The balloon has gone up" - meaning the signal
to take action has been received? I have a feeling it's war-related but don't
know!
: : Any help appreciated.
: : christine
: When the balloon goes
up is a phrase used to imply impending trouble. This relates to the use of observation
balloons in the first World War. The sight of such a balloon going up nearly always
resulted in a barrage of shells following soon after. The expression was re-inforced
during WWII when the hoisting of barrage balloons was part of the preparations
for an air raid.
Observation balloons also used during the American Civil War
for spotting (correcting) artillery barrages and detecting troop movement on the
battlefield. Any use of the phrase prior to WW1?
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