Today's phrase is
"to put on airs"
What does it mean?
If someone puts on airs, he acts superior to his position. Formerly, it was especially used to describe someone who acted like someone from a superior social class.
Where does it come from?
The phrase is first mentioned in 1781. The connotation of manner and appearance of the word "air" is likely derived from the French word "air".
My two cents:
I like "old-fashioned" words and phrases like this one and relish the fact that my beloved crime novels set in Victorian England are a constant source of new words and phrases of this kind.
Language ... the bridge of communication, the magic creator of worlds, the brush and paint of authors. Language is magic. It gives us power. It is something you just have to love.
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