Citations:trial balloon


 * 1)  An idea, suggestion, or prospective action, product, etc., offered to an audience or group in order to test whether it generates acceptance or interest.
 * 2) * 2006, Suzan Fraser, "Icahn Floats Time Warner Portal Merger Idea For Comment," FinancialWire, 19 Jan. (retrieved 27 Jan 2010):
 * Billionaire investor Carl Icahn and his investment group reportedly floated an idea to merge certain Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) assets with an undisclosed web portal. [...] "This trial balloon, or rumor, lacks the specificity [necessary] for a thorough response," said a Time Warner spokeswoman.
 * Cannot be verified – no longer accessible online.