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Blow (Rated R)

Posted by ESC on May 26, 2000

In Reply to: Blow Him Off posted by John Bailey on May 25, 2000

: I am over forty and I remember when "blowing someone off" had an entirely different meaning than it does today. I have heard my kids use it to discribe "dumping a girlfriend or boyfriend", ignoring someone or getting rid of someone. When did the meaning of this phrase change? I was shocked when I heard my kids use it and they have no idea what the original meaning is. I'm pretty sure Clinton knew the original meaning when he blew off Monica (dumped her). :)

: John Bailey

I believe you're talking about two different kinds of "blow." There's the old use of the term "blow" for oral copulation. And the young ones still use that, as in the insult "blow me." Or "blow job." Or "that blows," meaning "that sucks."

But, and here's where I'm guessing, "blowing someone off" (ignoring someone or dropping him or her socially) takes its meaning from phrases like "giving him the brush off" and "blow off/blow off his doors -- In racing, to pass a challenger." (From "Slang" by Paul Dickson) Or from a really old insult, "Make like a horn and blow." Meaning to leave.

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