Blow a Cloud

to smoke a cigar or pipe—a phrase used two centuries ago. Most likely in use as long as tobacco here—an almost evident conclusion. Blow Me , or BLOW ME TIGHT , a vow, a ridiculous and unmeaning ejaculation, inferring an appeal to the ejaculator; “I’m BLOWED if you will” is a common expre ion among the lower orders; “ BLOW ME UP ” was the term a century ago.— See Parker’s Adventures , 1781.—The expre ion BE-BLOWED is now more general. Thomas Hood used to tell a story:— “I was once asked to contribute to a new journal, not exactly gratuitously, but at a very small advance upon nothing—and avowedly because the work had been planned according to that estimate. However, I accepted the terms conditionally—that is to say, provided the principle could be properly carried out. Accordingly, I wrote to my butcher, baker, and other tradesmen, informing them that it was nece ary, for the sake of cheap literature and the interest of the reading public, that they should furnish me with their several commodities at a very trifling per-centage above cost price. It will be sufficient to quote the answer of the butcher:—‘Sir,—Respect in’ your note, Cheap lite rater BE BLOWED ! Butchers must live as well as other pepel—and if so be you or the read in’ publick wants to have meat at prime cost, you must buy your own beast e es, and kill yourselves.—I remane, etc. “‘ John Stokes. ’”