Blowing smoke

Oregonleatherboy

"The phrase

"blowing smoke up the ass"

is a colorful idiom meaning to offer insincere flattery or deception, often to manipulate or mislead. Its origins are debated,

with two primary theories:

a literal historical medical practice

and

a later slang evolution. 

History and Etymology 
Literal Origins: tobacco smoke Enemas 

 The phrase is often linked to an 18th-century medical practice where tobacco smoke was blown into a patient’s rectum to treat ailments, particularly to resuscitate drowning victims.

"This practice, known as a tobacco smoke
 enema or "glyster," was pioneered by Native Americans and adopted in Europe after the Columbian Exchange introduced tobacco to the Old World. By the late 1700s, it was widely used in Europe, especially in England, where the Royal Humane Society installed resuscitation kits along waterways like the River Thames."

 " These kits included bellows and tubes to administer smoke, believed to stimulate the heart and respiration due to nicotine’s properties and to "dry out" waterlogged bodies. A notable early case from 1746 involved a man reviving his nearly drowned wife by blowing tobacco smoke through a pipe inserted into her rectum. "

The practice peaked in the late 18th century but declined after 1811 when English scientist Ben Brodie demonstrated nicotine’s cardiac toxicity. 

While this bizarre medical history is well-documented, its connection to the modern idiom is questionable. The practice had largely faded by the early 19th century, long before the phrase appeared in English slang. 

Figurative Origins: Slang Evolution 

 "The modern phrase, meaning insincere flattery or deception, likely emerged in the mid-20th century, with no definitive evidence linking it directly to the medical practice. The term ""blow smoke"" has older roots in English and American slang, associated with deception, boasting, or obfuscation, as in "smoke and mirrors."

By the 1940s or 1950s, the addition of "up the ass" likely amplified the phrase for crude emphasis, possibly in military contexts where coarse language was common. Sources like Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang suggest "blow smoke" dates to the mid-19th century, with the full phrase appearing later, around the 1950s. 

 "Dictionary of American Slang (1995) notes "blow smoke" by the 1940s could mean boasting, misleading, or flattery, with "up someone’s ass" as an extension for effect."

Skeptics, including Merriam-Webster’s Peter Sokolowski, argue the medical practice and idiom are unrelated due to the time gap and lack of pre-1900 references to the full phrase. 

"The phrase’s current meaning aligns more with slang uses of ""smoke"" for deception rather than the literal enema." 

An alternative theory from World War I, involving papier-mâché dummies with cigarettes to draw enemy fire, is dismissed as the dummies lacked lower bodies, making the connection implausible. 

"Thus, while the medical history is a compelling anecdote, the phrase likely evolved from broader slang uses of "smoke"" combined with a vulgar intensifier, emerging in the U.S. or British military slang post-World War II."

Examples Involving the United States Government 

The phrase "blowing smoke up the ass" is used here to describe instances where U.S. government officials, agencies, or policies were perceived as offering insincere flattery, misleading assurances, or deceptive narratives to manipulate public opinion, deflect criticism, or advance agendas. 

 25 hypothetical but plausible examples grounded in historical and contemporary patterns of government communication.

Affordable Care Act Promises (2009-2010): 

Claims that everyone could keep their existing health plans under Obamacare were criticized as blowing smoke, as many lost coverage. 

Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021):

 Assurances of a smooth Afghanistan exit were seen as blowing smoke up allies’ and citizens’ asses, as chaos unfolded in Kabul. 

Border Wall Promises (2016-2020):

Claims that Mexico would pay for a border wall were widely seen as blowing smoke up voters’ asses. 

Climate Change Commitments (Various)

U.S. claims of global leadership on climate were called smoke-blowing by critics, citing inconsistent policy follow-through. 

"COVID-19 Early Response (2020):

Federal claims that the virus was ""under control"" in early 2020 were called out as blowing smoke, as cases surged soon after." 

Cybersecurity Assurances (Various):

 Claims that federal systems were secure were seen as blowing smoke after multiple high-profile data breaches. 

Debt Ceiling Rhetoric (Various):

 Bipartisan claims that raising the debt ceiling wouldn’t impact taxpayers were seen as blowing smoke, as deficits grew. 

Deregulation Benefits (2010s):

 Claims that slashing regulations would universally boost the economy were seen as smoke-blowing, ignoring environmental costs. 

Economic Recovery Claims (2008-2009):

 Treasury officials touting a swift recovery post-financial crisis were accused of blowing smoke, as unemployment remained high for years. 

Election Security Claims (2020):

Assurances that voting systems were unhackable were viewed as blowing smoke, given ongoing cybersecurity concerns. 

FBI Crime Statistics (Various):

 Selective reporting of crime data to downplay urban violence was accused of being smoke-blowing to appease political bases. 

Foreign Aid Justifications (Various): 

Touting foreign aid as purely altruistic was criticized as blowing smoke, given its strategic political motives. 

Guantanamo Bay Closure Promises (2008-2025):

Repeated pledges to close Guantanamo were seen as blowing smoke, as the facility remains operational. 

Gulf War Environmental Impact (1991):

 Military assurances that burning Kuwaiti oil fields posed no long-term environmental harm were seen as blowing smoke, given later ecological studies. 

"Inflation as "Transitory" (2021-2022):

 Federal Reserve statements that inflation was temporary were criticized as smoke-blowing when prices kept rising." 

Infrastructure Plan Hype (2017-2025):

Repeated promises of a transformative infrastructure bill were called smoke-blowing as plans stalled in Congress. 

NSA Surveillance Denials (Pre-2013):

 Government assurances that domestic surveillance was minimal were exposed as smoke-blowing after Edward Snowden’s leaks revealed mass data collection.

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Patriot Act Justifications (2001):

Promoting the Patriot Act as solely targeting terrorists was viewed as smoke-blowing, as it expanded government surveillance broadly. 

Space Force Necessity (2018):

 Promoting the Space Force as critical to national security was seen by some as blowing smoke to justify budget increases. 

Trade War Benefits (2018-2020): 

Assertions that tariffs would only boost U.S. jobs were criticized as smoke-blowing, as farmers and consumers faced costs. 

Veterans’ Healthcare Fixes (2014):

VA promises to swiftly resolve healthcare wait times were seen as blowing smoke, as veterans continued facing delays. 

"Vietnam War Promises (1960s):

 The Pentagon’s optimistic reports about ""winning hearts and minds"" in Vietnam were seen as blowing smoke up the public’s ass, as declassified documents later revealed doubts about the war’s progress." 

"Watergate Denials (1972-1974):

Nixon administration claims that Watergate was just a ""third-rate burglary"" were pure smoke-blowing, as evidence of widespread abuse of power surfaced." 

WMDs in Iraq (2002-2003):

 The Bush administration’s assertions about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction were later seen as blowing smoke up the public’s ass, with no WMDs found.