The Archive

Etymology Journal · G

Go blow it out your ear

Meaning

This is a polite way of telling someone to stop talking nonsense or to leave you alone because you are annoyed. It suggests that what the person is saying is so worthless it should be vented through an orifice.

Dismissive, sassy

Used in a sentence

  • If you think I am doing your chores, you can go blow it out your ear.
  • My brother told me to stop nagging, but I told him to go blow it out your ear.
  • He kept bragging about his promotion until I finally told him to go blow it out his ear.

The backstory

This is a classic Americanism that gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Its exact origin is unknown, though it is often attributed to mid-century slang from the United States military.

Heard in

Nationwide

Vibe check