Take a guess

Now you're not trying to blow smoke up our proverbials here are you Pappy??

That looks very like something I saw on QI designed for doing just that.
There was some medical fad that smoke enemas were a cure for something in the 1800's and that's where the saying originated.
 
You people are way to smart. I quote "the tobacco enigma was used to infuse tobacco into a patients rectum for various medical reasons, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims.
A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum.
The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase.....blowing smoke up your arse."

Most of our present day gov't reps have one of these.
 

Wow ... that would make modern-day CPR a lot more challenging ...

"Oh my God, he was drowning! Quick, help him!!!"

*Refers to CPR booklet*

"Pinch nose and do WHAT?!?"
 
You people are way to smart. I quote "the tobacco enigma was used to infuse tobacco into a patients rectum for various medical reasons, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims.
A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum.
The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase.....blowing smoke up your arse."

Most of our present day gov't reps have one of these.

Good post. I love hearing how these phrases came to be. But the concept...whew, we've come a long way, haven't we?
 

Bah! My Church of Philstivus has them beat by a mile! We have Jack and joints instead of wine and wafers, we don't dunk anyone under water and we have the weekly orgy to look forward to.

As for those supposed "proofs" - like most religious "proofs" they don't stand up under logical thinking. They require a leap of faith and a suspension of disbelief, neither of which I am willing to indulge in.

Besides ... weekly orgies. :devilish:
 

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