as high as a kite

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as high as a kite (simile)
/əz haɪ əz ə kaɪt/

Meaning

  • Refers to an individual experiencing extreme excitement or happiness, often comparable to being in an elevated or uncontrolled state.
  • Describes someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the point of being noticeably intoxicated or euphoric.
  • Indicates a condition of elation or exhilaration that might result from intoxication or overwhelming joy.

Example Sentences

  1. After a few drinks, he was as high as a kite and laughing uncontrollably.
  2. Winning the lottery left her feeling as high as a kite all week.
  3. The medication made him feel drowsy and as high as a kite within minutes.
  4. The kids were as high as a kite from eating too much sugar at the party.
  5. During the concert, the energy of the crowd had everyone feeling as high as a kite with excitement.

Origin and History

The phrase “as high as a kite” initially emerged in the mid-19th century with a literal meaning, describing objects or entities elevated to great heights, akin to a kite soaring in the sky. An early instance is found in the Elyria Courier, an Ohio newspaper, dated June 1853:

“All I can say is that the Herald has an abiding affection for the Whig party and is going to fly that flag ‘as high as a kite’.”

This usage metaphorically represented the act of raising something, such as a flag, to a prominent position.

Evolution to Intoxication Context

By the early 20th century, the phrase “as high as a kite” began to be associated with intoxication. The term “high” had been used to denote inebriation since the early 1600s. For example, Thomas May’s 1627 translation of Lucan’s Pharsalia includes:

“He’s awash with rich dishes, high with wine.”

The addition of “kite” to form the complete phrase likely served to intensify the depiction of someone’s elevated state due to alcohol or drugs.

Theories on the ‘Kite’ Component

The specific choice of “kite” in the idiom has prompted various theories. One posits that it refers to the children’s toy, symbolizing something that ascends to great heights when flown. Another theory suggests a connection to the red kite, a bird of prey known for its soaring flight. However, given that red kites became scarce in England by the early 1800s, the toy kite explanation appears more plausible.

Earliest Printed Records

The earliest documented use of “as high as a kite” in a figurative sense appears in the Elyria Courier in 1853, as previously mentioned. Subsequent instances include a report in the London Daily News from January 1871, which stated:

“If you can hold out till March that Prussians will be knocked up as high as a kite.”

These examples indicate the phrase’s usage in both American and British contexts during the 19th century.

Modern Usage and Interpretation

Today, “as high as a kite” is commonly understood to describe someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, exhibiting noticeable intoxication or euphoria. The evolution of “high” to mean drug-induced states in the 1930s further cemented this interpretation. Additionally, the phrase can denote extreme excitement or happiness, reflecting a state of elation comparable to a kite’s ascent.

Rooted in the imagery of a kite soaring to great heights, the phrase adeptly conveys states of elevated emotion or intoxication, illustrating the dynamic nature of language and metaphor.

Synonyms

  1. over the moon
  2. on cloud nine
  3. in seventh heaven
  4. walking on air
  5. flying high
  6. full of beans

Variant

  • high as a kite
  • as high as a cloud

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