What is the origin of walking on air idiom?

The idiom "walking on air" doesn't have a specific, documented origin. It likely evolved organically from the feeling of lightness and exhilaration that comes with extreme happiness.

Here's why:

* Physical sensation: When we're extremely happy, we often feel a sense of buoyancy, almost like we're floating. This sensation could be linked to the release of endorphins and other feel-good hormones in the brain.

* Metaphorical connection: The feeling of lightness and elation is then metaphorically linked to the act of walking on air, which is impossible in reality but captures the feeling of being weightless with joy.

* Common usage: The idiom has been used in English literature and speech for centuries, appearing in early 19th-century works like "The Adventures of Harry Richmond" by George Meredith (1871).

While the exact origin of the idiom remains elusive, its usage is firmly rooted in the human experience of feeling overjoyed. It captures the abstract sensation of happiness in a tangible and relatable way.