Blowing smoke up my ass
Posted by Bob on June 16, 2001
In Reply to: Blowing smoke up my ass posted by Bruce Kahl on June 16, 2001
: : : : I've heard several people this week use this phrase and can't decide what its orgins are. Any ideas?
: : : No.
: : OK, although my first reaction was basically "Yecch," my husband says he thinks it means flattery. "Blowing smoke" = producing empty talk, "hot air"; the "ass" part is just for emphasis, as in "Get your butt in here!"
: Here is the NE part of the US the expression is a plea or admonition to refrain from FALSE flattery as in "Dont be a yes man and stop blowin' smoke up my ass--is the project as proposed doable or not?"
Yes. Deceptive flattery. The smoke is the same as in "smoke and mirrors" to descrive the distractive illusions of a magician.