User:Mingmtm/Up in airs

I decided to create this page after searching the internet for a definition of the expression "Up in airs". I was surprised to find that most of the searches resulted in results related to air fares, airlines, movies, tv shows, etc. Or, definitions for "up in the air", as evidenced by a couple of definitions from thefreedictionary.com below:

Adj. 1. up in the air - very uncertain; "left everything up in the air" uncertain - not established beyond doubt; still undecided or unknown; "an uncertain future"; "a manuscript of uncertain origin"; "plans are still uncertain"; "changes of great if uncertain consequences"; "without further evidence his story must remain uncertain"

2. up in the air - not yet determined; "plans are still up in the air" uncertain - not certain to occur; not inevitable; "everything is uncertain about the army"; "the issue is uncertain"

As I recall, the expression "Up in Airs" generally refers to getting excited, bent out of shape, offended or mad about something or some event. This definition seems to be supported by a couple of sources or postings that I came across below:

1. http://www.midgetmadness.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2040 :

I didn't go, was trying to attend a SCRA race at Borona, California, but the local News was up in airs about the EVENT in Long Beach. They didn't want to call it an race, because it draws thousands of fan, and it has been goin on for 30 years. The city really gets involved and the fans flock for the gala affair. Seems like it's really a big deal. Been a while since I have gone, but it is fun.

Larry Otani...no matter what they say. Racin' racin and either you love it or you don't Larry "O

2. http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/01/mike-mukaseywinner

Mike Mukasey=Winner Created: January 30th, 2008 | Written By: Kyle E. Moore Man, I am so glad that Democrats decided to capitulate on Mike Mukasey. I’m sorry, I was totally wrong about him, and all of my fears about how he would be too much like any other Bushite (ie. overly secretive, too prone to expand the powers of the Executive branch, and eager to thumb his nose at congress) were totally unfounded.

(/sarcasm)

As long as I remain emotionally detached from what’s going on, I can see the entire Mukasey-Waterboarding situation as the hillarious episode that it is. I mean, come on, that’s comic gold right there; Democrats get all up in airs because Mukasey refuses to call waterboarding legal or illegal, but eventually the Democrats cave, hoping for all hope’s worth that he falls on the right side of the issue, and then, all of a sudden, WHAMMO! Mike does exactly what everyone in the world thought he would do.

He goes and says Waterboarding’s fine!

Or not. It’s tricky because apparently he can’t discuss with lawmakers whether or not waterboarding breaks the laws that they write because that’s classified information. Oh, but that’s not even the funniest part. The funniest bit is that if he himself were waterboarded, Mukasey says he would probably think it was torture which would then make it illegal.

Anyone else thinking the same thing I’m thinking right about now?

Man, this is so damn funny…

…except…

…it’s real.

Damn.

I'm looking for some sources of infromation on the expression "Up in Airs" and it's definition and origin.. Please feel free to post any information or sources that you may be aware of.

Thanks,

mingmtm