Late 18th century; earliest use found in Horace Walpole (1717–1797), author, politician, and patron of the arts. From balloon + -ism. Compare balloonation, ballooning, balloonery.
Definition of balloonism in US English:
balloonism
nounbəˈluːnɪz(ə)m
rare
The system, theory, or practice of ballooning.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Horace Walpole (1717–1797), author, politician, and patron of the arts. From balloon + -ism. Compare balloonation, ballooning, balloonery.