by gone on May 24th, 2007
The phrase "blowing smoke", meaning to deceive and/or distract, has been around for years. The "up ones ass" part is a fairly new addition. The origin of the "blowing smoke" part is from stage magic, where magicians use smoke to hide their actions or to distract the audience. So if your actions were meant to distract or deceive, you were said to be blowing smoke. Of course, anyone who studies American slang knows that pretty much any phrase can be improved by adding a reference to someones ass, so I suppose it's inevitable the that is where the smoke would eventually be blown.
by Anonymous on August 21st, 2009
Tobacco Smoke Enema (1750-1810)
The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient’s rectum for various medical purposes, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims. A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum. The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to its disappearence and the popular phrase “blow smoke up one’s ass.”
by Lynnstrum on July 27th, 2009
ORIGIN: The Tobacco Smoke Enema (1750's-1810's) was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient's rectum for various medical purposes, primarily to resuscitation of drowning victims. A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke into the rectum. The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase "blow smoke up one's ass." Search on "tobacco smoke enema" for illustrations of the apparatus.
by Anonymous on February 20th, 2009
In the 18th Century it was seriously believed that under certain conditions blowing tobacco smoke into the rectum of an apparently dead person could resuscitate them. In the Science Museum in London there is a Tobacco Resuscitator machine dated 1774. Check it out.
by CrackersAkA on May 30th, 2008
where did "petered out" come from
by sloppdrunk on July 7th, 2008
In the 1700's a new method of resuscitation was used. This "new" procedure involved blowing tobacco smoke into the victim's rectum. According to the literature, smoke was first blown into an animal bladder, then into the victim's rectum. It was used successfully by North American Indians and American colonists an introduced in England in 1767.
It was used until the mid 1800's.
by Just Nat on August 20th, 2009
They thought blowing smoke up a drowning victims ass wouuld restore respiration.
What does that expression mean, to "burn bridges?"
by 에가오노겐키 on June 8th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
Under what circumstances can I tell a woman; "Be a woman!"
by Just_another_person on July 12th, 2009
| 4 people like this
What's the 'body electric' anyway?
by Polly Math on May 9th, 2009
| 2 people like this
What's one example of the old phrase 'bigger is better'?
by - alluseek wants to on August 2nd, 2009
| 3 people like this
What does 'Brick House' mean in refference to a woman? Does it mean slut,or what does it mean?*
by Celeste is contimplatingHerOwnExistence on August 12th, 2009
| 24 people like this
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