Blowing smoke up my ass

Posted by Bruce Kahl on June 16, 2001

In Reply to: Blowing smoke up my ass posted by R. Berg 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?"

• Blowing smoke up my ass Bob 06/16/01